Meldreth Matters, September 2020

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire www.hsrsc.org.uk Going into lockdown has changed the way we all do things, from shopping online to enjoying virtual events.

Facing a Crisis Back in March, when the situation concerning the Coronavirus outbreak really became big news, Home-Start was not ready for a world where face-to-face events could not happen. A large proportion of our activity was based around our community and physical interaction with our supporters, whether that was at a fête, dances, concerts or literary lunches.

What could we do?

The enforced cancelling of all our events made us sit back and think.

We are an independent charity responsible for securing all our own funding. Ordinarily this funding comes from a variety of sources including trusts, foundations and the kind generosity of our supporters, and one of our major sources of income is the events we run. This year, holding events has been a bit of a challenge!

Not to be daunted, the fundraising team set to work, and came up with a series we are calling ‘At Home with Home-Start’; a series of events based entirely on the participants being safe at home.

Let’s talk tasty Back in June we were delighted to partner with local company Pinkster Gin, to bring you a gin tasting evening. It was a huge success. If you’d like to read about the event, take a look at our blog which gives you all the details: https://www.hsrsc.org.uk/2020/08/virtual-gin-tastingspanking-success/ In August we brought you the beer tasting event with local microbrewery Rocket Ales. This tasting offered the chance to try six beers from the brewery, including two that have not yet gone on general sale. Keep an eye out for the blog which gives the low-down on the event.

Starting in September, we’ll be hosting a series of chocolate tastings with world-famous brand Hotel Chocolat. Each ticket costs eighteen pounds and gives you a whole box of delectable Hotel Chocolat 48