CCS Thatch Bulletin September 2020

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Somerset Good Neighbours CCS is calling on local communities in Somerset to set up Good Neighbours Schemes. This year, the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the towns and villages of Somerset, volunteers turned out in their thousands to support vulnerable people and have been a lifeline for Somerset’s communities.

Good Neighbours Schemes aim to build on that fantastic community spirit, bringing people together and helping to maintain the strong relationships and connections within local communities that have been built during the Covid-19 emergency.

The scheme, supported by funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, is intended to connect willing volunteers and helpers with anyone needing support with small one-off tasks, such as lifts to medical appointments, dog walks, or even

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, support for vulnerable people in our communities is needed now, more than ever before.

simply sharing a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

CCS can provide help and guidance to local community groups to develop their schemes, to ensure they are operating safely for both volunteers and those supported, to set up systems for managing the schemes in the long term and to connect with the wider voluntary sector and other similar schemes.

If any community in Somerset is interested in setting up a Good Neighbours scheme, please contact CCS at marie@somersetrcc.org.uk or call 01823 331 222. We look forward to hearing from you.

Visit our website

HERE

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CCS Annual General Meeting This year the CCS Annual General Meeting will be held on the morning of October 22nd and will be a virtual event. We encourage all our members to join us to hear about our work over the preceding 12 months. There will also be an opportunity to take part in a short discussion session for our Community Buildings members.

Members will be asked to vote on a proposal to change the governance structure of CCS to more

Thursday 22nd October

accurately reflect our diverse range of stakeholders, as well as simplifying charity administration. More information, including the programme details, will be circulated shortly.

CCS

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Visit our website

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Call: 07946

461560

Email: sallys@somersetrcc.org.uk

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Free help and advice every weekday at 11 am If you are looking for information, advice, and support – or just a friendly chat – you can now use Facebook Live to join people across the county for daily Talking Café events.

Social distancing measures meant that our usual Talking Café events had to be temporarily suspended, but they have now been relaunched digitally on Facebook Live, the social network’s live video platform.

Talking Cafés are a great support if you are looking for help and advice for staying safe, information about important services such as housing, finance, adult social care and children’s services.

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Click HERE – 'like' the Talking Cafés Facebook page – and set a reminder to listen in and take part. We look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!

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word

these

sessions

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real

live

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation The aim of The Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation (BFEF) is to promote the education of young people through a grant scheme.

BFEF trustees have recently considered and approved over 127 uniform grants at

ÂŁ 100

each,

these have been awarded to year 7 students and above attending secondary schools in Taunton Deane.

For full details of the grant BFEF is offering additional support owing to school closures, with help given to those wishing to compete an application.

scheme, visit: www.bfef.org.uk or contact Geraldine on geraldine@somersetrcc.org.uk

Save money with Somerset Community Oil Scheme Somerset Community Oil Scheme is a heating oil bulk buying scheme which covers the whole of Somerset.

Bulk purchasing offers significant savings and the scheme is open to individuals, community groups and businesses.

To join the scheme email somersetbuying@afaffinity.co.uk.

Download oil scheme order deadlines and delivery dates

HERE .

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Somerset Language Connect Somerset Language Connect is a new project aimed at bringing together learners from minority ethnic communities across Somerset, who would like to improve their conversational English, with learning partners who aim to support them.

The scheme is completely free of charge and is supported by the Somerset Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund.

When learning a language, meeting up with a fluent speaker is the ideal opportunity to practise language skills, learn new vocabulary and become more confident. The Language Connect project does just that, pairing English learners with volunteers, with learning sessions taking place online via a video conferencing platform.

Somerset Diverse Communities is encouraging all those who would like to get involved to call Community Engagement Workers Jusna on 07946 461544 Email: jusna@somersetrcc.org.uk or Michal on 07377 363165 Email: michal@somersetrcc.org.uk Download the Language Connect flyer

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HERE

Language Connect - hear from our learning partners!

I’ve been involved with the Language Connect project for around two months, meeting with my learning partner twice a week via Skype for 30 minutes each time.

Although it’s only been a short time since we first met, I have seen my learner flourish with confidence and hugely expand her linguistic and cultural knowledge, as well as teaching me a thing or two!

I am not a teacher, and our sessions are not lessons; this is precisely why anyone participating in Language

Alex, Language Connect learning partner

Connect can benefit simply by having a chat. Attending formal class is, of course, important. However, being able to practice the language “in the real world” is what brings learning alive.

During one of our first sessions, my

we’ve talked about navigating jobs,

learner revealed to me that a classroom

good books, peculiar phrases, travel,

setting with pressure to speak accurately

even tarantulas and critters!

and fluently in front of a teacher and peers has been challenging for her in

It is really rewarding to be able to

putting her (quite sound) English into

contribute to her growth with English,

practice and developing confidence.

and being able to see such a tangible improvement in such a short time is a

There is no pressure to impress me, and

real privilege. I really look forward to

mistakes are welcomed and embraced.

our chats, and I’m certain that she will continue to go from strength to

We use relevant language to talk about

strength.

practical situations that we decide, which is enabled by being free from a

Whether you want to make a new

syllabus, homework, and other students

friend, improve your confidence, or

as would be the case with a formal

simply have a natter, I strongly

lesson.

encourage anyone interested to give Language Connect a go.

We learn from each other about the things we want to talk about;

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Language Connect - hear from our learning partners!

My language learner has become a firm friend and both of us look forward to our talks, often lasting more than 40 minutes.

He's a very sophisticated commentator and our conversations cover everything from politics to global linguistics and electronic communication.

Now that my wife is also chatting to his wife we feel

Mick, Language Connect

very close to the family and can't wait to meet up so

learning partner

the initial contact is widening. Thank you so much for setting this up, it has been extremely successful.

In the next issue Learning Partner Clare says:

we hear from our Language Connect learners!

We have grandchildren in common and

I’ve been enjoying twice weekly conversations with Sonia since early April by which time our lives have changed from the halcyon days of face to face teaching and meeting friends in our homes.

Over the past five months Sonia and I have enjoyed exploring differences and similarities between our English and Polish cultures, our likes and dislikes, food habits including swapping ideas for suppers and recipes.

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so have shared stories about their early lives and schooling, both from home and in school.

I can honestly say that talking to Sonia has been easy, relaxed and very informal. We simply chat to one another and the language ‘lessons’ flow from there.

If you have a spare half hour, a computer and some willingness to share, then do consider becoming a language buddy.

ESOL classes for Muslim women Somerset Diverse Communities is partnering with Somerset Skills and Learning to offer a series of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes for Muslim women.

This is an opportunity to learn English in a Muslim women only group via the video conferencing app Zoom.

For more information and to apply contact Commuity Engagement Officer Jusna on 07946 461544 or email jusna@somersetrcc.org.uk

Small Grant Fund A grant of up to

ÂŁ 500

is available for any

community groups, charities, organisations and agencies that support or directly work with BAME communities in Somerset.

Communities can apply for the Small Grant Fund until 16th October 2020.

Call Michal Puzynski, Community Engagement Worker, on 07377 363165, for more information and to apply. Email: michal@somersetrcc.org.uk

Or visit our website: https://ccslovesomerset.org/somersetdiverse-communities

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Racism Stops with Me Join Bridgwater Together and Somerset Diverse Communities, on 19th September, to discuss the effects of racism on our multicultural communities in Somerset and what can be done to bring about a fair and equal society.

Huge thanks to Somerset Community Foundation for supporting this event via the HPC Community Fund.

https://tinyurl.com/y yurvphd

The event will be held using the Zoom video conferencing platform. Visit www.facebook.com/SomersetDiverseCommunities to

Meeting ID: 890 0971 9399

set a reminder to tune in and take part.

Passcode: 521739

Employment Rights Know your rights! Join British Trade Union GMB and the Citizens Advice Bureau on 21st October for this free webinar.

Find out more about your rights at work at how you can make sure you are treated fairly.

https://tinyurl.com /yy9ux9la

Meeting ID: 889 7333 3542 Passcode: 331360

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Somerset Move-In Fund If you are a Somerset charity or community organisation supporting homeless people, you can now apply for a grant of up to

ÂŁ 10,000

from Somerset

Community Foundation's new Somerset Move-In Fund.

Read more and apply at: www.somersetcf.org.uk/movein

SPARK Somerset has moved!

It’s been a busy year for charity SPARK Somerset! With services expanding to cover the whole county, SPARK has moved to bigger premises. HQ is now

SPARK's new address:

based at Bowdens Farm, Hambridge.

Units 3 & 4 The Courtyard Bowdens Farm Hambridge Somerset TA10 0BP.

NEW phone number:

01458 550973

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Somerset Film Somerset Film is thrilled to announce that applications for the October BFI Film academy are NOW OPEN!

Find out more about this excellent opportunity for aspiring young filmmakers, aged 16 - 19, to get hands-on experience and comprehensive support from industry professionals

Tablet Loan Thanks to support from the Clothworkers Foundation, and in partnership with local mental health support organisations, Somerset Film has been able to purchase tablets to provide adults in need with access to communication and creative apps as well as the internet.

We know that connecting with others and staying creative is key to wellbeing. The tablets will be available for loan for two months at a time and recipients will be able to access technical support. For a limited period Somerset Film is also able to provide free wifi access via mobile hubs.

For more information please contact Deb Richardson - deborah@somersetfilm.com

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HERE .

COVID-19 advice all in one place.

Useful information Somerset Coronavirus helpline

All help and information is The helpline is available from 8am to 6pm every day,

now available in a single

including weekends making it easier for you to

place on the Somerset

access any local authority help you may need,

County Council website -

including emotional support, in the current crisis.

HERE .

Call 0300 790 6275 If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired you can contact the helpline using SMS text: 07781 482858

Continue to use the 111 NHS online service for medical advice and only ring 111 if you can’t get help online.

Distressed? Anxious?

Feeling overwhelmed?

The Mindline Somerset emotional support helpline is now open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Set up by Mind in Somerset, Mindline is a service you can call (local call rate) to talk to someone about your anxieties and worries.

Support is available, around the clock, every day by calling 01823 276 892.

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