NEWSLETTER #14
Summer 2024
14 July 2024
Come as you are, bring what you can and take what you need
A Proud Partner of Wotton Pride
Wotton's first ever Pride event took place on 15 June celebrating and calling for the rights of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer+ (LGBTQ+) communities. The Keepers hosted a special Rainbow Café on the day in collaboration with The LGBT+ Partnership Cheltenham who were sharing information about what the Partnership does and how people can support.
Even the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) dropped in!
Emma from The LGBT+ Partnership Cheltenham sharing the stickers
Tesco Token success - thank you!
We were thrilled to see the amazing support from all of you through the Tesco token collection! The collection ended on 30th June.
Your support helps us to provide essential food bags, sustain our community freezer meals, supply food for our activities (including our baby and toddler sessions), and maintain our pantry supplies.
A huge thanks to everyone who put a token in for us. Your support is truly appreciated and makes a real impact in our community. Thank you!
Every little token helped!
CEO update
Chris, The Keepers' CEO
As we started to welcome in the beginning of summer it felt like there was always a real buzz of activity here at The Keepers. That's in large part down to you, our supporters, volunteers and visitors who are literally always there for us, and for each other.
The Keepers only really works as a concept if we all feel like it's ours - our community hub, organised by us for all of us.
As always we received some generous fundraising support from local individuals, community groups and businesses (and we are so grateful for that) but we also rely on a small army of volunteers who give up so much of their personal time. We also need people to come through the doors, partly to help us know that we are meeting the right needs for the community, but also to help preserve the lovely vibrant, kind, collaborative atmosphere that we have. Thank you for coming to see us and participating in the myriad of activities that happen here.
There are so many things that have happened at The Keepers in the last quarter that have warmed my heart - many of which are mentioned elsewhere in the Newsletter but one thing really stood out for me and that was our small contribution to Wotton Pride with our Pride Cafe. If ever there was a day that said we are all here, for all of us, and we aim to always be here for all of us, that was the day. And it really was a day full of smiles!
Volunteering Opportunities
Sara - our Volunteer Coordinator
Thinking about Volunteering? Get in touch!
We have a number of volunteering opportunities available at The Keepers, so come along for a chat to find out more about how you can get involved. You can really make a difference in the following ways:
- Reception Volunteer: Could you provide a warm welcome to our visitors, make refreshments, and help us out with some admin? Our reception volunteers typically offer a two-hour shift once a week, every fortnight, or even just once a month. Induction training will be provided.
- Listening Volunteer: Volunteer alongside our reception team and provide a listening ear to any of our visitors who come in for a chat. Sometimes, all someone needs is someone willing to listen.
- Kitchen Volunteer: Our kitchen volunteers prepare and cook our Tuesday Lunches. Be part of a great kitchen team and make a difference to the growing number of visitors who come along for lunch here at The Keepers.
- Volunteer for Kids: This is a volunteering role specifically aimed at working with children and their parents in our community. As a volunteer at our Keepers Kidz after school session, you will support children in various activities such as arts and crafts and games. This role is perfect for those who enjoy working with young people and families.
Volunteering at The Keepers is a wonderful way to give back to your community, meet new people, and develop new skills. Whether you have a few hours to spare each week or just once a month, your contribution can make a significant difference.
Come along and join the team! Your time and effort can truly make a world of difference. Together, we can create a stronger, more connected community.
Tortworth Court Fundraising event
We need your help!
We are excited to announce that we have been invited by the Tortworth Estate to fundraise at the monthly Tortworth Lake event on Sunday 4th August. The Lakes are open on the first Sunday of every month from 10 until 6pm.
This is a major fundraising opportunity for The Keepers and one which you could be part of - even in some small way. Whether you can bake a cake, help with car parking, run the Tombola Stall, fill up the tea pots, flip burgers on the BBQ or slice a few cakes then welcome aboard! It really is all hands on deck - why not bring along your family and friends, their friends and your neighbours too - boyfriends, girlfriends, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas are all welcome to lend a hand.
Together we could make this event really special and very successful for The Keepers and our local community. What better way to spend a Sunday?
Volunteers need to be able to donate a minimum of 2 hours during the day (morning or afternoon) - of course, you can stay longer if you wish!
The beautiful grounds surrounding Tortworth Lake
You can either specify the role you would like (and timings) or just give us an idea of how much time you would like to donate and we can allocate you a role around that. We will do the rest and be back in touch to confirm.
For more information and to express your interest in any of the above volunteering opportunities, please contact me either in person, by phone (07585 466418) or email or visit our website: https://www.thekeepers.org.uk/
Sara Musty
Volunteer Coordinator: thekeepersvc@gmail.com
Outreach Update
This quarter, our very own Community Outreach Manager Simone delivered an Outreach presentation to the Board of Trustees detailing The Keepers' Outreach Strategy and current reach. Below you can see the various communities in our area where The Keepers has a presence, thanks to Simone and Nikki, our Community Outreach worker.
The communities where we have a presence
What's On - Keepers in the Communities Activities
New Team Members
We are delighted to welcome Jo to the team as The Keepers' Project Administrator - she joined us in April. Here is Jo to tell you how she's been getting on:
It's been wonderful getting to know the team and visitors to The Keepers since I joined in April, and I've been wowed in particular by how generous our volunteers are with their time, energy and fabulous cake-baking skills!
I've loved meeting more of the community here, and as 'Project Administrator' my role involves helping with activities such as our at-home befriending pilot, which will be starting in the next few months, and extending our volunteer transport service which allows more people to come in to The Keepers on a Wednesday now, too. I'm usually based at The Hub on Symn Lane on Tues, Weds & Thurs.
I and my young family moved to Kingswood in early 2020, and whilst the first lockdown hit two weeks later, we were incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful area to explore on our daily walks. I feel privileged to be part of such a warm and welcoming community.
Jo - our new Project Administrator
Garden Corner
This month we say "goodbye for now" and "good luck!" to Amy, our wonderful Wellbeing Gardener, before she goes off on maternity leave. We wish her all the best and she will be greatly missed! We have now recruited a replacement Wellbeing Gardener, so watch this space for further details...
Garden volunteer underneath The Keepers' Garden Arch
A hungry visitor came to scavenge on Keepers' cake crumbs
Our garden is in full bloom
Our plants are progressing well in the wet and the sun!
Garden volunteers on a Friday - working hard!
News
Tortworth Court Kitchen Collaboration Night
Tortworth Court Hotel took over the kitchen to create a fantastic two-course meal prepared by their talented chefs. Our guests enjoyed a delicious menu of maize-fed chicken breast, wrapped in streaky bacon (OR Vegan Butternut & lentil filo pie) and see below for a picture of the dessert! Plus there was a mocktail on arrival.
Not only did the Tortworth Court chefs volunteer their time and provide all the food, but they also served and cleared everything away. It was a truly fantastic experience for everyone who attended. They went above and beyond, and we couldn't be more grateful.
We're thrilled to announce that we made £480 from the event!
Chocolate and orange tart with caramel sauce and toffee popcorn
Great Escape Car Rally
Supporting Glos Community Foundation's Poverty Hurts appeal
We loved being a part of Gloucestershire Community Foundation’s Great Escape car rally on 30 June, as part of their 'Poverty Hurts' Appeal.
Thanks for inviting us along to talk about the work of The Keepers and meet all the lovely people running and taking part in the rally.
Town Hall Teas
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year's Town Hall Teas in aid of The Keepers. It takes a lot of organisation and volunteer support to make these events a success. Thank you to the cake bakers, payment takers, tea pourers, washer-uppers, packer-uppers, clear-downers and all those in between who came along to support in whatever way - we really appreciate it!
Town Hall Teas (2022 team!)
New Wednesday car service launches!
A new transport service has launched at The Keepers for those with no transport, limited mobility* or who would like to come in for the first time with someone else. We now have drivers available to pick visitors up from home and bring them in for any of the following services:
- café serving drinks and homemade cakes (all 'pay as you feel')
- chat to one of the visiting professionals including P3 Stroud Stroud District Foodbank Stroud District Council - Housing Help, health visitor or employment support
- craft and chat sessions
*we can accommodate walking frames but unfortunately not wheelchairs currently.
One of The Keepers' dedicated drivers
Trustee Corner
This quarter's Trustee update comes from David, our Vice-Chair of Trustees since November 2023 and also a regular Reception volunteer:
In any young organisation, the move from ‘starting-up’ to ‘steady growth’ can sometimes be a bit of a bumpy journey. In all honesty, as a Trustee, The Keepers hasn’t disappointed in that regard!
But, over the last 18 months, through the hard work by our fantastic employee team, volunteers, as well as the wider Trustee group, we have been able to create a long term sustainable plan for the The Keepers. This has been enabled by two key things.Firstly, our successful grant application with the National Lottery, which secures a key part of our funding for the next 3 years. But more importantly, we have recruited a fantastic team of people who are helping us deliver a positive, consistent level of service to our customers. So what next…?
Judging by the number of people who now use us (6000 visits since the start of the year) we are now meeting a clear community need. But with almost 14,000 people living in the communities we serve, we know there are many more we haven’t yet reached. Many of whom would benefit from the services we provide.
To help us tackle this, we are aiming to be physically present in more and more of the communities we serve. (As you know we are already present in Kingswood and North Nibley).
The next community we are focusing on is Charfield. Last month, we started our first weekly activity (on a Wednesday) with creative wellbeing sessions based from Charfield Village Hall. Discussions are also well advanced with Charfield Parish Council, as well as a number of community organisations, to further expand our community support in the village.
We will also be widening our community coverage through our ‘Befriending Service’, which is being piloted this September. This will create a means of providing a more one to one service to people who find it more difficult to access our regular services.
So in summary, it feels like we have a community service model that is needed and works. Our task now, as Trustees, is to provide the support, structure, guidance (where needed) and funding to help The Keepers continue to steadily expand its services to more and more people over the next 3-5 years. Hold on tight!… I for one, can’t wait to be part of that exciting journey!
David Graham
The Keepers – Vice-Chair of Trustees
What’s New at The Keepers?
Keepers' Kidz
Keepers Kidz relaunched on 1 July. Join us for board games, craft, refreshments and more. Open to all primary-aged children with their responsible adult (preschool siblings are welcome too!) Every Monday from 3:15pm to 4:30pm, including the school holidays.
Keepers' Tots
We have also started a weekly Parent and Toddler group every Friday morning called Keepers Tots. The group is aimed at parents with pre-school age children. Thank you to our Outreach Support Worker Nikki for getting this group off the ground. Fridays from 9.15-10.30am.
Digital Drop-in
We have initiated a fortnightly Digital Drop In session that is facilitated by GL11. You can come in with virtually any random digital based query! On the following Thursdays: 18th July, 1st August, 15th August, 2-4pm.
Stroud District Council (SDC) Housing Officer
The SDC Housing Officer has re-commenced weekly visits to us. Advice on any social housing issues. No appointment is needed. Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30am.
'Back to Work' Drop-in
Stroud Valley Projects now come in on a weekly basis, replacing what was 'Job Club.' It is part of the Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub Outreach (ESHO) Project. There is practical support with job searching, CV writing, research and interview practice. Wednesdays from 10am - 1pm (apart from the first Wednesday of the month).
Stroud Food Bank Café Drop-in
Offering emergency food and essentials along with support and advice. Wednesdays from 10am - 12pm.
Warm & Well Café Drop-in
Come in and ask any questions you have about your tariff, energy referrals, how to make your house more energy efficient, energy saving tips and more! The Keepers' Café is open at the same time for tea and cake. Keep an eye on our weekly 'What's On' for future dates. Next one: Wednesday 7th August, 10am-12pm.
To see what's on at The Keepers each week, just click below:
Get Involved...
There are lots of ways to get involved and/or 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. We are also looking for volunteers to join our fundraising committee. 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.
* Easyfundraising - We’re now registered with Easyfundraising, which means you can help us for FREE. Over 7,000 shops will donate to us when you use Easyfundraising to shop with them online – at no extra cost to you. All you need to do is sign up and remember to use Easyfundraising whenever you shop online. These donations really mount up, so please sign up to support us by clicking the button below. By signing up, you aren't agreeing to do anything - just that you'll try to go through Easyfundraising when you shop online.
We have produced some easy-to-follow instructions which you can find here
If you would like to made a donation to us directly, you can do so by clicking the button below or through our website. Many thanks for your support!
