Churn News Sheet | Winter 2015/16

ThaNks to our VoluNteers!

Here at the Churn, there is a lot on offer for older people. For those who live on their own and can’t get out of the house easily, our Good Neighbour volunteer visitors bring the outside world with them each week. Friendships develop which make a real difference to both people’s lives.

Our Young Neighbours bring contact between the generations to people living in care homes in Cirencester. They build one-to-one relationships or help with group activities. With our current Young Neighbours and the new recruits who have signed up, we

are heading for a record number of 50 young volunteers.

For those who are able to come to us, we run a range of courses, including art and technology, and there are drop-in groups or clubs most days of the week (see the list on the back page).

If you would like to try any of our services, please give us a ring or just come along – you will be made very welcome. Or if you could spare some time to help counter loneliness by volunteering, we would also be delighted to hear from you.

Older people’s servicesAt this time of year, feeling isolated or lonely can be particularly hard to bear. The John Lewis Christmas ad is a poignant reminder that some older people feel left out and cut off from the community.

• 177 parents have received support in improving their parenting skills.

• 165 children have enjoyed activities which make for happier childhood memories.

• 265 older people felt less isolated through visits from our Good Neighbours or coming along to our drop-in groups.

• 288 unemployed people were helped in their job search by our Employment & Skills service: 95 went on to volunteering; 33 to work; 30 to training.

We really couldn’t have given those people the support that they received without the time and expertise given by our volunteers. From our trustees to

our Good Neighbours and the people who deliver this news sheet, The Churn thanks you all for giving to us. Thank you too to the people who choose to donate instead or as well.

At a time when people are thinking about giving, we’d like to thank the 228 people who regularly give their time to The Churn. Our wonderful volunteers gave 8,722 hours to help us provide visits, groups and activities which make a positive impact on the lives of other people in their community. 1,447 people used our services last year.

If you’re doing any online shopping in the run up to Christmas, please remember you can raise funds for us at the same time. Register on www.easyfundraising.org.uk, select us as your charity and retailers such as M&S, Argos, Boots and Currys will donate a percentage of their takings to us when you shop.

Thursday Club enjoying a slow-cooker demonstration with Dulcie James

Churn Good Neighbours afternoon tea at the Organic Farm Shop Photo taken by George Brooks

Smiles all round at the Sunday Club

See back page for our current courses & activities calendar ISSUE 10

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all

at The Churn!

Families MatterThis term our Families Matter group has been making memory photo-books and enjoying a money management course.

Half-term was especially enjoyable with a Wet Welly Walk, hot chocolate and a hot lunch for 12 families followed by an art collage session. We welcomed a group of volunteers from the Corinium Decorative & Fine Art Society who led this great activity for 22 children including 5 toddlers!

Thank you to DFAS for making the day so special and supporting us in this way. We meet every Thursday afternoon in term time. Please call Rachel on 380034 to find out more.

Ready Steady BabyThis course is a 5-week rolling antenatal programme here at the Churn on Tuesday mornings for new expectant mums in the second half of their pregnancy and their partners.

The sessions are led by our family worker and a qualified midwife and cover a different topic each week. The group is small and completely confidential. This is not a drop-in group so if you are interested in finding out more or want to book a place please contact Sarah on 380034 or email sarah.bourne@thechurn.org.uk

THURSDAY CLUBNext term the Thursday Club is planning to visit Chedworth Roman Villa, try out yoga and mindfulness and have a craft session. Do come and join us.

YOUNG PEOPLEThanks to our partnership with the Rural Innovation Centre in Driffield we can offer FREE 1, 2 and 6 day courses in rural skills such as brush cutting and strimming, mowers, blacksmithing, chainsawing, pesticides and dry stone walling.

Feel free to pop in for an informal chat or ring Amanda on 380033.

Family LearningNext term, our family learning programme is focusing on Make Maths Magic.

These are free courses aimed at parents of all 4-8 year olds looking at strategies for helping their children with behaviour and making learning positive at home and at school. We always finish the course with a relevant fun trip for those who’ve taken part, with their children.

If you’d like to book a place for the New Year please call Sarah on 380034 or email sarah.bourne@thechurn.org.uk We hope to offer a small crèche so that parents with pre-school children can attend.

Stitch, Knit and NatterThe group have been really busy this term turning their skills to knitting booties, yarn bombing the posts in the Community Room to turn them into trees and continuing to put together a sewn version of the Churn logo.

They have also been making Twiddlemuffs - a knitted muff with buttons, objects and keys attached. These are designed for people who have dementia and who often have restless hands.

New Baby New LifeThis drop-in group for first-time parents with their babies meets every Wednesday afternoon in term-time at the Baptist Church on Coxwell Street.There is plenty to chat about and we enjoy a variety of talks and taster sessions aimed at mums with babies, including singing, swimming and fitness, baby’s oral health and baby’s tummy time. For more information please call Rachel on 380034 or email rachel.stainton@thechurn.org.uk

Harry working hard on the collage

We recently had a reunion of 5 of the mums who completed our Ready Steady Baby course – it was great to meet all the little ones.

Tom Butler with his Lantra certificate in brush cutting and strimming

VOLUNTEER DRIVER NEEDED

CYBER SAFETY WORKSHOPSWe are delivering Cyber Safety workshops for parents and carers at a number of community venues in December offering practical advice on how to keep children and young people safe whilst they are online.

Please telephone Amanda at The Churn Project on 380033 or email amanda@thechurn.org.uk

Community groupsThe Chesterton Community Project, in conjunction with the Barnwood Trust, recently held an open meeting to find out what people wanted for the area.

It identified three themes: Celebrating Our Open Spaces, Organising a Community Craft Hub and Finding Ways of Connecting People. If you have any more positive ideas for making a difference contact the Community Project via www.chestertoncommunity.wix.com/project2014

Watermoor Community Group meets every 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in the community room at the fire station. There is no meeting in December.

Beeches Community Group has a new social secretary, Sam Ralston, and is inviting suggestions for social events. Please send her your ideas via the facebook link on their website www. beeches.org.uk

PRINCE’S TRUST OPPORTUNITIESIt was great to welcome so many young people to The Churn to hear Jules from The Prince’s Trust telling us about the courses and mentoring support available for 16-25 year olds in the area. Please contact Amanda@thechurn.org.uk if you want to find out more about these opportunities.

Thanks to much digging, weeding and strimming by a team of volunteers from St. James’s Place, our allotment at City Bank is now a peaceful haven ready to burst into production next year.

We will be using it as an off-site resource for some of our clients, under the helpful eye of volunteer allotmenteer Tim Cambray.

Christmas coNcert

The Stuart Singers are performing a Christmas concert at Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton, to raise funds for us. The concert starts at 7.30pm on both Friday and Saturday 11 & 12 December. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Leonora.rozee@gmail.com/ 07774 836004 or The Market Stores in Minch.

We’re delighted to have been part of the winning team in this year’s Local Business Charity Awards.

The support we received from staff at Havas Helia rightly touched the judges’ hearts.

Mindfulness taster sessionLearn to find a bit of peace through simply savouring the moment. Lizzie Cambray of Ridgeway Mindfulness is running a free taster session on 26 January from 6pm – 7pm at the Churn Centre. All are welcome! If you enjoy it, Lizzie will be running an 8 week course starting on 2 February. Contact her on 07941 841174 or email enquiries@rmp-swindon.org to book.

Can anyone offer a lift from Cirencester to Tetbury on Tuesday mornings to help a work club member get to work?

Robert has been volunteering at the Jole Rider Bike Shed in Tetbury for a year now and is keen to continue. Please ring Amanda on 380033 if you can help.

Jonathan and Robert enjoying a break The Churn allotment at City Bank

Churn and Havas EHS staff receiving the award from Phil Barton, CEO of sponsors Jelf Insurance

ChurN allotmeNt

AWARD WINNERS

Come along to the Churn Project open morning on Tuesday 16 February. Join us for coffee and cake and find out more about what we do.

Day Course / Activity Description When Cost

Mon Stitch, Knit & Natter Sociable stitch-based crafts Running until 14 Dec & restarting 4 Jan, 10.00 - 12.00

£1 per session

SHINE Relaxed sessions & support for women feeling low after childbirth

From 8 January, 12.30 - 14.30 Free

Intermediate IT skills Accessible course to build on your skills From 11 January to 21 March, 09.15 - 11.15

Free to jobseekers

Basic IT skills Accessible course to improve computing skills From 11 January to 21 March, 11.30 - 13.30

Free to jobseekers

Everyday English Friendly tutor-led sessions From 11 January - 21 March, 14.00 - 16.00

Free to jobseekers

Tues IT for over 50s Friendly tuition for beginners and improvers From 13 January, 10.00 - 12.00 £65 per course

Ready Steady Baby Relaxed sessions for parents-to-be Ongoing courses, next one starting 12 January, 10.00 - 12.00

Free

English Conversation Relaxed group for those with English as a second language

12 January, 13.00 - 15.00 Free

Tuesday Friendship Club Tea, cake, chat & activities for older people Running until 22 December & restarting 5 January, 14.30 - 16.00

£1 per session

Artlift Arts & creativity to make you feel better. By referral only

Starting 12 January - 8 March,15.00 - 17.00

Free

Wed Churn Art Group A friendly tutor-led drawing and painting group. All welcome - come along for a free introductory session

6 sessions starting 6 January, 10.00 - 12.00

£33 for 6 week course

Ready Steady Baby’s Here

Relaxed sessions for new mums under 25 Starting 6 January, 09.30 - 11.30 Free

New Baby New Life Drop-in group for first-time parents with babies up to 9 months; meets at Cirencester Baptist Church

Running until 16 December & re-starting 6 January, 14.00 - 15.30

£1 per session

Thurs Thursday Club Drop-in group for people aged 50+ - talks, outings and activities

Running until 17 December & restarting 7 January, 10.00 - 11.30

£1 per session

Make Maths Magic Family learning session to support parents of children in Key Stage 1

Starting 14 January 09.30 - 11.30 Free

Families Matter Drop-in group providing support & activities for families; includes lunch

Running until 17 December & restarting 7 January, 12.00 - 14.30

Free

Everyday Maths Friendly tutor-led sessions From 14 January - 24 March, 13.00 - 15.00

Free to jobseekers

Fri Work Club Help with CVs, Universal Jobmatch, employment & volunteering

Starting 8 January, 09.30 - 12.30 Free

South Cotswold Memory Club

Support and activities for people with memory problems

8 January & then 1st Friday of month, 10.00 - 12.00

£1 per session

Sketch Club Learn & practise your techniques in this friendly tutor-led group

Starting 15 January, 10.00 - 12.00 Suggested donation: £6 waged, £3 unwaged

Wildlife Surveying Learn about local wildlife and how to manage wild places

Enrolment at Churn Centre at 10.00 on 15 January followed by 6 week course, offsite

Free

Sun Sunday Tea Club Company, conversation and cake for older people Running until 20 December & restarting 10 January, 14.30 - 16.00

£1 per session

The CHURN PROJECT COURSES & ACTIVITIESFor more info, or to book for non drop-in courses, please phone The Churn Project on 01285 380038, or email: info@thechurn.org.uk

For information on any of the articles included please contact the Churn Office on 01285 380038 or email info@thechurn.org.uk The Churn Project Registered Office: 14 –16 The Waterloo, Cirencester, GL7 2PY. Company number: 567529 Charity Registration number: 1124422

www.churnproject.org.uk facebook.com/TheChurnProject @churnproject