Third Floor 28-30 Belle Vue Terrace Malvern Worcs, WR14 4PZ 01684 892381 info@community action.org.uk www.communityaction.org.uk Find us on Facebook and Twitter

COMMUNITY ACTION NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

Image: stylowi.pl via pinterest.com

Reg. No: 1149335 24

Introduction Welcome to the latest edition of the Community Action Newsletter. Once again you will see this edition is packed full of events and information which we hope you will find useful. In this issue we are pleased to announce our new service Helping Hands. See pages 20 and 21 for further details. Plus if you have a Co-op Loyalty Card you may be interested in the article on page 19. Should you wish to write an article for inclusion in the next edition, do please email me at [email protected].

Resource Centre at Community Action Community Action are able to offer local charities and voluntary organisations the use of their Resource Centre. This includes: Photocopying Mono A4 single sided—8p per copy; A4 double sided—16p per copy Mono A3 single sided—13p per copy; A3 double sided—26p per copy Colour A4 single sided—21p per copy; A4 double sided—42p per copy; A3 single sided 46p per copy; A3 double sided 92p per copy. Laminating up to A3; Auto Bookie—an amazing machine that professionally folds and staples booklets 2p per booklet; Guillotining; We also sell stationery, including coloured card and paper. 2

23

* Helping Hands

22

3

Venue Opportunity for Community Use A small working party of Malvern Link with Cowleigh Parish are exploring opportunities to promote greater community use of their church buildings. Across the parish, there are 3 churches, St Matthias in the Link, The Church of the Ascension, Somers Park Avenue and St Peters, Cowleigh Bank. All are available for use by community groups subject to availability; they are not simply there just for services and worship but should be viewed as a community asset.

In addition, within St Matthias is the Link Room a sizable space with wheelchair friendly access, toilets including for the disabled, good kitchen facilities and easy parking. Groups such as Age UK have used the Link Room for almost 25 years and there are currently discussions with the CAB NILs project, The Credit Union Project and the Alzheimer’s Society taking place. The Ascension Church has a church hall, again with toilets, kitchen facilities and easy parking, which has been used for a pre-school facility during the week in term time for many years but is available for use on Friday evenings and at the weekend. If you have any suggestions with regards to other community groups seeking a suitable venue then please contact: Rev Peter Knight Anne Hancox Bob Leverett

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

4

01684 566054 01886 832460 01684 438692

21

Coffee Morning for Carer’s and people living with Dementia at United Reformed Church Hall every 1st Thursday in the month at 11.00am until 12.30pm Contact Sheila Young 01684 564631.

CARDS APLENTY Christmas cards from 20 charities, local and national, will be on sale at the shop run by the Midland Charity Association at Arcos' offices at Hatherton Lodge at the top of Avenue Road from 26th October until 19th December. Hours - Monday to Friday 10 - 4, Saturday 10 - 1

Community Action run services to Tewkesbury every Wednesdays and Cheltenham/Gloucester every Thursday. THESE ARE RING AND BOOK ONLY Phone 01684 892381 20

MALVERN HILLS VOLUNTEERING FORUM The next Malvern Hills Volunteering Forum will take place on nd Wednesday 2 November 2016 10.00 – 1.30pm at The Council Chamber, The Council House, Avenue Road, Malvern WR14 3AF. The forum is open to anyone with an interest in involving volunteers in their group or organisation. It is an opportunity for volunteer coordinators and managers in the area to meet, share notes and develop ideas and explore the benefits of collaborative working. Lunch & refreshments provided. For further information please contact Jo Cross, Community Services Officer [email protected] . Thank you.

5

FRIENDLY FACES CAN LEND HELPING HAND Volunteers are being sought for a new scheme set up by Community Action. It is a fact that 12% of over 65s admit to feeling lonely and some can’t remember the last time another person smiled at them. So, Community Action would like to come to the rescue by launching a brand new project called Helping Hands. Community Action is one of the most established charities in Malvern, having been founded over 40 years ago. You will know of the vital services they deliver which help prevent social isolation by providing transport and running social activities such as Sunday Tea Club, and Shoparound.

FUNDING BOOST ON THE CARDS FOR MALVERN CHARITIES A funding boost is on the cards for three community groups in Malvern who are set to share an estimated £9,000 from the Co-op. The launch of a unique new Membership scheme on 21 September will see Co-op members receive 5% reward on purchases of Co-op own-branded products and services, with a further 1% going to local causes.

The causes set to benefit in Malvern are Community Action Malvern and District, Malvern Special Families and, What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful. Members of the Co-op can choose which of these causes they wish to support. Money will be raised over a six month period.

To get this new project off the ground new volunteers are needed. People who can spare a couple of hours a week to brighten someone’s day and provide much needed support. This will involve volunteers visiting clients in their own homes for a few hours to do domestic tasks such as shopping, light housework, gardening and help with phone calls and letters. It is hoped that this would be on a regular basis so that each volunteer and client can build a rapport.

Liz Webb, Area Manager, for the Co-op, said: “We aim to do business a better way, and what better way than to give back to communities as a reward for shopping with us. Our members have a unique opportunity to make a difference locally simply by using their Co-op card when they shop with us. Co-ops are here to support their members and the communities they live in and the money raised will provide much needed funding for organisations who contribute to improving local life.”

Chris Kirk, Chairman of Community Action, said “Helping Hands is our exciting new initiative which we have developed within the Malvern area. It will enhance the services we already provide and continue our aim of reducing social isolation in our community.”

Maria Munday, Business Manager, Malvern Special Families – one of the causes set to benefit, explained: 'It's a great opportunity to have been chosen by our local Co-op stores to be part of this exciting new initiative. We are really looking forward to working together to raise funding to continue providing our much needed short breaks services for families of children with disabilities in the local area. Thank you to the Co-op for their continued support.”

If you feel you are able to give any time to help, whether it be a couple of hours a week to a whole day, and you would like play a part in making other people’s lives better PLEASE telephone Community Action on 01684 892381 for an informal chat or email [email protected] for further information.

6

Co-op members are urged to look out for their new-look membership card. The cards feature the Co-op’s iconic ‘clover-leaf’ design – first used in the 1960’s and linking to a time when people really understood how they could be co-owners of their Co-op, and how a strong Co-op could help to create strong communities. For further information visit coop.co.uk/membership 19

NEW AWARDS TO RECOGNISE UNSUNG HEROES

Malvern Hills District Council have recently launched a new awards scheme which recognises dedicated members of the community. The first Our Malvern Hills Community Awards will take place on Thursday 1 December at Langland Stadium, the home of Malvern Town FC. They will recognise those individuals, projects, groups and organisations whose dedication and commitment has improved the lives and wellbeing of residents. Nominations are being sought in six award categories – Safe and Sound, Improving Lives, Action in the Community, Cleaner and Greener, Young Person’s and Business in the Community. The creation of the awards is part of MHDC’s five year plan and commitment to building stronger and healthier communities. We all know someone, or a group or organisation, doing wonderful things in our district so please take the time and nominate them so we can give them the recognition they deserve. For more information and to download a nomination form visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/communityawards. Paper copies are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Church Street and Malvern Library. They can also be requested by emailing Sophie Jackson: [email protected] or calling her on 01689 862417. Deadline for nominations is Sunday, 6 November. 18

7

Christ Church Shoebox Workshop Saturday 5th November Why a Worcester man volunteers with people who have dementia

10.00am –12.00pm

Isolation can become an increasing concern for people with dementia and as the condition develops they can sometimes find opportunities to socialise diminish. These might be for a variety of reasons and often the loss of a driving license can seriously hamper a person’s social life. The good news is that there are projects in place across Worcestershire to keep people with dementia engaged in their local communities and in touch with their social circles. One of these projects is called Side by Side and is run by Alzheimer’s Society. This projects help alleviate isolation and loneliness by pairing volunteers with people with dementia Roger Moore, 69, from Worcester is a volunteer with Side by Side and has previously supported Eric Duncan who is also from Worcester. Roger said: “I saw an advert in the local journal and had been volunteering with Worcester Wheels and fancied a bit more variety in my volunteering. I put together my one page profile and ended up being paired with Eric. In total I have been volunteering with Side by Side for about 9 months now and my time with Eric is another friendship for me. “We have been to watch the rugby and cricket, taken many walks in Worcester and often stop for some tea and cake. Eric really enjoys walking and therefore we have focused on that: we walked up the Malvern Hills some time ago and walked to the Beacon which was a 3 or 4 mile hike.” 8

Come along and have fun filling your boxes for Operation Christmas Child and enjoy a coffee & browse our books at the same time Each box filled fills a child’s heart with our love. We have some spare boxes and some spare fillers, make it a a family outing 17

Christ Church Christmas Fair 19th Nov 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

“I enjoy volunteering because it’s good fun, you get to experience things you normally wouldn’t do and it improves people’s lives. This project also offers respite for partners, carers and family members.” “At the end of the day I find it worthwhile and it’s another way of giving back to society”.

We would love you to join us Refreshments with home-made cakes Lots of Toys Raffle Numerous Books, CD’s, DVD’s A large variety of Cards Gifts, pictures, Bric a Brac Cakes & home-made preserves Guide Dogs stall 16

Janet Smith, Manager of the Society’s ‘Side by Side’ Community service in Worcestershire, added, ‘Life doesn’t stop when a person is diagnosed with dementia. This service offers the perfect opportunity for volunteers to help people with dementia to continue to feel a part of their community and to do the things we take for granted’. If you are interested in making a real difference by becoming a Side by Side Volunteer please contact Janet Smith on 07885-882290 or 01905 621868, or email: [email protected] for more information. 9

“Film Classics” takes place once a month and is run in association with The Cube in Malvern. This is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with good company, a variety of films and refreshments.

Thursday 10th Nov She wore a Yellow Ribbon

Thursday 13th Oct Lady in the Van

Everyone welcome! Transport can be arranged via Community Action on 01684 892381

Thursday 8th December Christmas in Conneticut 10

15

We now have the largest ever number of supporters for Friends of Community Action . Thank you to all those of you who have maintained your support over the years and welcome to all recent members. This year we have had support from several local pubs who have organised their own quiz nights and donated the proceeds to Friends of Community Action. We have focused on selling our lovely cookbook by taking stands throughout the summer months at various Food Fairs and Festivals. This has been very successful and has already brought in the sum of £945 between April and August. Our next one will be at Tewkesbury Town Hall on Wednesday 18th October and Ledbury St Catherine’s Hall on Saturday 12th November and finally at The Fold Farmer’s Market on 27th November 2016. For those of you who would like to purchase one, but can’t go to the Food Fairs, they are on sale in our Coffee Shop (Thurs & Fri 9 – 12 ) at Prospect View and are now available again at Just So in Barnards Green and will, of course, be on sale at our own Christmas Fair at United Reformed Church Hall on December 10th. ( Full details on cover). Finally you can always collect one from our offices as always. Due to an increasing demand for specialised dietary requirements we have produced a GLUTEN FREE adaptation list which has been carefully prepared by testing each recipe with Gluten Free ingredients !

14

11

In August Friends hosted a Sunday Tea Club at The Beauchamp Community. It was a lovely afternoon attended by 40 members of the Tea Club and the kind warden at Beauchamp arranged for members to have tours of the beautiful Church and Gardens. Thank you to everyone who contributed towards such a delicious tea!

FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY ACTION COFFEE SHOP PROSPECT VIEW HEALTH CENTRE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY MORNINGS COME AND SAY HELLO AND HAVE A SLICE OF CAKE AND A COFFEE

CHRISTMAS PUDS Two of our committee members have retired recently – our thanks go to Keith Salkeld and Anne Lynch who have been with us for many years and welcome to Maureen Bouchet who has now agreed to join the committee. We are just about to hold a Murder Mystery evening on Sept 30th and Oct 1st. This is being presented by Malvern Wells Players and promises to be a fun way of raising funds! As always we are looking for volunteers to help in our Prospect View Coffee Shop either by doing a shift or baking a cake. If you are interested in helping please phone Susie on 01684 593686. Malli Wadge continues to produce her puzzling quizzes for us and is raising funds by getting you all puzzling for £1 with a chance to win £20. The current on is “ A Numbers Quiz” and is available from our Coffee Shop at Prospect View. Pop in and purchase one if you fancy a challenge.

12

Once again we will have our Christmas Puddings available for sale at our coffee shop at Prospect View, Christmas Coffee Morning and via the office. Small (120g) £2.00 Large (454g) £5.00 13