NEWSLETTER #2
25th August 2021
Come as you are, give what you can and take what you need
Come on in ..... We're open!
As restrictions lift, so we have opened our doors. The Hub is open, and our friendly receptionists are here to say "Hi":
* Monday, Tuesday and Thursday : 9.00am - 4.00pm *
* Wednesday and Friday 9.00am - 1.00pm *
Whilst we are open, you can now also contact us by phone by calling:
07585 466418
You can pop in to have a cup of tea and a chat with our lovely volunteers, find out about groups, support and services in the area, collect food from our freezer or our dry provision store, donate food, swap a book, or recycle stamps, bras, coffee pods and much more!!
We will keep you updated about groups and services as they start at The Hub.
The Community Freezer
We have food in our Freezer (Freda): Keepers’ cottage pies, cheesy pasta (with separate veg pot) and sticky toffee puddings! DELICIOUS!
It is all Pay as you Feel – you may be able to pay more for your meal to cover those who need to pay less.
The freezer is now open whenever The Keepers is open. Just pop along and select what you'd like.
It’s a community freezer so open to everyone in the community – there are many reasons why people come to get meals…you may not be able to cook at the moment, you may be working long hours and don't have time to cook, you may be unsure of what to cook for your family, you may be recently bereaved.... or it may be because you are excited to try our new options. These are on trial, so we value your feedback!
Summer Round-up
We know that the Summer isn't over yet, but there has been a lot going on at The Keepers!
The Keepers' Garden
Our amazing garden volunteers have been hard at work transforming the small garden at the back of the Hub from a wasteland to a thriving garden growing vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit.
As the produce is ready, it is going onto our reception desk for anyone to take. We hope that in time the garden will be open whenever the building is open and people can pop in to weed, plant, pick or just sit and enjoy.
Reception Volunteer Induction Training
We are thrilled that so many people attended our Reception volunteer training sessions. It has allowed us to open our doors, and we are really grateful for the time they are giving each week to The Hub. Come in and meet them.
The Travelling Kitchen
Last week, The Keepers hosted Stroud District Council's Travelling Kitchen. Primary-aged children came along to learn some kitchen skills and sample what they made! It was a lot of fun. Thanks to Blue Coat School for allowing us to use their outdoor space for this great activity.
Journaling Sessions
Throughout August Stroud District Council has been running journaling sessions for children at The Keepers. They have been busy drawing, cutting and sticking.
Activity Packs
We still have some children's activity packs for anyone who wants one. Come along to The Keepers when we are open to pick up packs for your children to enjoy over the last week of the holidays.
Independence Trust/NHS Community Wellbeing Service
The social prescribers have started at The Keepers every Tuesday 12 – 2pm offering free sessions to all - with no referral needed.
Come and talk to your local friendly social prescriber. They offer support and connections to others to help with your health and wellbeing. Call for information or to book your session: Clare on 07817 866354, Kate on 07875 480420 or Julia on 07951 038001. Click below to find out more.
Our Purpose
As many of you know, we conducted a survey in April 2021 to identify the needs of our community and to see how the Community Hub could meet some of those needs. The following key areas were identified:
1. Social Isolation & Loneliness
2. Family Support
3. Meeting Basic Needs
4. Community Connection
Our Ultimate Goal
The answers to the survey also helped refine the Hub's ultimate goal:
We want our communities to be resilient, connected and supported.
Our Theory of Change
Our purpose and aims are summarised in our “Theory of Change” which can be seen below. Apart from our priorities outlined above, it's also important to us that everyone is included, the Hub is accessible to all and we work in collaboration with other local organisations. If something already exists - we won't do it!!
What's Next...
* We will keep you posted about what is happening at The Keepers. We will also put information up on our website.
* Inclusion Gloucestershire will be running a drama group taster session in September to see if we have enough interest for them to organise a FREE Six month course at The Keepers. This is an inclusive drama group designed for people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and autism. If you would like further information on the taster session, please get in touch.
*Do you feel isolated, lack motivation or experience difficulty coping with the stress and pressures of life? Would you like space to talk and be listened to a chance to build new friendships? The Independence Trust and CALMHS will be hosting a weekly "Welcome Space" at 10-12 every Thursday for 10 weeks from September 16th for anyone over the age of 16. Come and join them at The Keepers for a cuppa, a chat, or maybe a game of scrabble! For more information, please call them on 07375 616890.
* In the Autumn we will working with young people (16 to 18) to run a "digital inclusion" course for older people who may be struggling to use their Ipad or laptop, or who are thinking of buying one. If you are a young volunteer who would be interested in helping with this group, or an older person who could use some extra help with things such as cyber security, using zoom, getting onto the internet (and much more!), please let us know.
* Kit Out the Nation is a month long Make a Difference campaign (Saturday 4th September – 2nd October) aimed at taking in and distributing unwanted, good condition sports kit and getting it to children and teenagers who need it. You will be able to drop off unwanted sports kit (either clothing or equipment) to The Keepers. Local schools will collect it from us to distribute to children and young people who will be able to make good use of it.
* We are talking to lots of different organisations at the moment about how we can work together. These include: Wotton Town Council, Age UK Glos, Dryleaze House, Clean Slate, Wotton Debt Advice, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (to name a few!). If you represent an organisation that may want to look at ways we can partner with you to support our community, please get in touch.
* If you are looking for a meeting room, or smaller meeting space, our rooms are now available for hire. These are free for charities and community groups.
Get Involved...
There are lots of ways to get involved and/our to support The Keepers:
* Volunteer - there are a number of different roles/jobs.
* Fundraise - running a small event, or making a regular or one-off donation on our website. You can also take part in the Lucky Severn Lottery that takes place each week. Click here for more info. If you decide to join in, remember to choose The Keepers as your charity to support!
* Share info with neighbours, friends and colleagues who may not receive our newsletter.
* Follow us and like our posts on Social Media to ensure the information gets to as many people as possible.
* Or simply..... Next time you are ordering anything on Amazon, go to https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ instead and choose "The Keepers - Wotton Area Community Hub" as your charity. They will donate to us each time you order.
If you would like to donate and support the work of the Community Hub, please click the button below. Every little helps!
