I’mdesperatetoseeadaffodil, I’mscanningforswallows,and I’machingtoputmywatchforward thatemblematichour.Ithas beenatoughwinter acrossmanyfronts. TheGreenwayCentre isfeelingthepinch whenitcomestothe rapidlyrisingcostof energyandeveryday itemsaffectingallUK businessesand households.
Whilstitishardtoassignblame forthiscrisis,wealsoknowthatit isn’tanaccident.Theongoing dependencyonfossilfuelsanda rapidlywarmingplanetare
combiningtomakeunpredictable eventsmorecommon.Manyofus arefrustratedbywhatseemstobe slowprogressontakingaction.
Butwithinthepowerofour smallcommunitythereareplentyof actionswecantake.
HereatSouthmead DevelopmentTrustwe havefoundadaptingto risingcostsa significantchallenge. However,wehave embracedthe opportunitytobuilda moresustainable, comfortableandlesswasteful GreenwayCentre.Wearesuperchargingourexistingplansforthis. Notjustonenergy,butacrossa rangeofissuesincludingtransport, single-useplasticsandbiodiversity. contonpage3>
P.9Celebra�ngWomen
P.12LinkingKidsToWhat Ma�ers
P.16Newcourse-Find YourStrengths
P.17RememberingTerry G.Johnson
P.18CommunityInfo P.20Ci�zensAdviceCost ofLivingSupport
HappyNewYear everybody!
I’lllook backon2022asa yearofposi�ve ac�onandcoming together,butalso ofrecordbreaking weatherandanudge fromMotherNature totakefurtherstepsto bemoreenvironmentally friendly.
We’vebeenthinkingaboutthisat Greenway.Wearekeentosupport opportuni�esforthecommunityto cometogetherandtakeac�on collec�vely.Whynotjoinusonour nextli�erpickonMonday20th February?It’sagreatopportunityto getoutsideandlooka�erour surroundings.Youcanreadaboutour lastli�erpickonpage4.Itwasgreat funevenifitwasali�lesoggy!Orwhy notrecyclesomeofyouroldbooksor jigsawsinourBookandJigsawSwap areaofthecafé.Sharingand borrowingisthewayforward!Ifyou
oryourgrouparehos�nganevent,you couldborrowoneoftheTravelling KitchenCookingKitsratherthan buyingloadsofnew equipment.Youcanread moreabouthowthis worksbelow.Weare alwayshappytohear ifpeoplehaveideas abouthowtolook a�erour environment.Ifyou’re hos�nganevent,need spacetomeetorwouldlike tocollaborate,I’dlovetohear fromyou!
Iliketospendthefirst fewweeksofanew yearreflec�ngand makingplansforthe comingmonths. Manyofusfindit canbeagood�meto trynewthings.
Wehaveacoupleof newthingsstar�ngatGreenway thiswinter.Ourfunsingalonggroupon aThursdaya�ernoonreallyisjustfor funsoyoudon’tneedtobemusicalor afantas�csinger!Wealsohaveanew jigsawpuzzlegroupstar�ngonaFriday
a�ernoon.Allourothergroupswould behappytowelcomeyoutoo!Takea lookatpage10toseeourfullarray.If youhavebeenwan�ngtotry somethingthatwedon’tofferthenget intouch,maybewecanhelpyouto getitgoing.
I’mreallypleasedtosaythatour MPowerMenopausesupportgroupis returning!Thegrouphasbeenrunning forayearnowandwe’vedecidedit’s �meforarefresh.A�ersome feedbackwearemovingittothefirst Thursdayofthemonth(seepage11). ThenextonewillbeThursday2nd March.Wewillbehavingabitmore structurewithspeakersandexperts comingtosharetheir knowledge,whilemaintaining thespacetotalkabout anythingandeverythingwe areexperiencing.There’sno pressuretoshare,you’re welcometojustlisten.Teaand coffeeareprovided.Ifyouthink there’satopicwhichwouldbe valuabletolearnaboutoragood contactforaspeaker,getintouch!We canaddthemtotheprogramme. tel:07498755863
email:lucillesmith@southmead.org
��:������������� ����������������� Areyoucookingforaspecial occasion?Areyourustling upacommunitylunchorabake sale?O�enwhenplanningthesebig foodeventsweneedsomeextra equipment.Insteadofspendinglots ofmoneyonkityouwon’t useagain,youcannow hireaSouthmead CommunityCookingKit fromSouthmead DevelopmentTrust.
Theyareavailableto hirebylocalcommunity groupsand residentsofSouthmead forone-offeventsoronamore
regularbasis.Forasmallfee(£1per kit)andarefundabledeposit (£20)youcanhireupto6 kits,eachcontaining:
� asaucepanandafrying pan
� weighingscales, choppingmats, measuringjug,mixing bowls
� childfriendlyknives andvegetablepeeler
� utensilssuchaswooden spoons,measuringspoons, whisk,grater,colander
� bakingequipmentsuchas bakingtray,coolingrack,rollingpin. Wealsohave6induc�onhobs
thatwillalsobeavailableforhire separately(£1perhobplusa refundable£20deposit)so youdon’tneedto worryaboutstovetop spaceatall!
Thecommunity cookingkitshave beenassembledby TravellingKitchenCIC withfundingfromthe TescoBagsofHelpGrant, TeamSouthmeadandThriveBristol, sothankyoutothesepartners!
FormoreinfocontactLucilleSmith atSouthmeadDevelopmentTrust
tel:07498755863
email:lucillesmith@southmead.org
<contfromfrontpage
Thefirststepwehavetakenisto improvetheinsulationin Greenway’sroofsandwalls.Itcan bedraftyhere!Wehavealso achievedsomequick-winsinour heatingandhotwatercontrols.We havebeenslowlyrollingoutthe changetoLEDlightingwhichweare nowlookingtoaccelerateinthe comingmonths-MainHallusers andChristmasPantoattendeesmay havenoticedthisalready!Withour 476solarpanelsalreadyontheroof, reducingourenergyusemeansour green-generatedenergycango further.
Visitorstoourmeetingrooms mayhavenoticedthatweare phasingoutsingle-useitemsfor refreshments.We’vereplaced individualmilkpotswithrefillable jugsoffreshmilk.Ournextmoveis todoawaywithcoffeeandsugar sachets,anddisposablecoffeecups.
Thereismoreinthepipelinefor investinginreducingouremissions, andweappreciatethere’salong waytogo.Weareurgently fundraisingfordouble-glazingwhich willmakethebuildingawarmer, moreaccessiblespaceforallour visitors.Thiswillhelpustoreduce ouruseofgasheatingandfor Greenwaytothriveasawelcoming placeforall.Watchthisspacefor howwearecreatingaGreenwayfit forthefuture!
Wearealsothinkingaboutthe supportofthelongtermfutureof buildingsinSouthmead.Renewable energyandaffordablebillsarea focusfortheGlencoyneSquare community-ledhousingproject.The newflatswillbeheatedusingAir SourceHeatPumps.
Wearealsoexcitedforthe themeofthisyear’sSouthmead FestivaltobeGreenSouthmead! Andweneedeveryone’sideasand input.
Belowyoucanfindoutabout BristolEnergyNetwork’snextdraftproofingsessionsoyoucanbenefit athome.They’llteachyouhowto blockupdraftyspotsandyou’lltake awayacaulkguntotryathome.If you’dliketorunaneventwitha greenfocus,we’dlovetohearfrom you!
Wouldyouliketoknowmore aboutoursustainabilityat Greenway?Getintouch!
email:info@southmead.org
tel:01179503335
DIDYOUKNOW?
Thechangestoourinsula�on, hea�ngandligh�ngwill save40-50tonnesofcarbon everyyear. That’sthesameas notdriving92,274miles inapetrolcar!
Whatisitthatissosa�sfying aboutpickinguprubbish?Is itdoingsomethinggoodforthe environment?Isitaboutbeingoutside andge�ngsomeexercise?Isit becauseo�enyouarewithgood communitymindedpeople?Butyou canalsodoitonyourown,whenever youfeellikeit–justgrababagandgo!
Orisitprimal?Ourneedtolook a�eroursurroundingsgoeswayback, thereisscien�ficevidencetosuggest cavemenspentmore�medoing choresthantheyspenthun�ng!
Formeitisaboutallofthis,there issomethingaboutmakingatangible differenceinashortspaceof�meand beingabletojustdoitonthespurof themomentorarrangetodoitwitha group.
OurBigTidyLi�erPickwith Bristol Waste onthe19thDecemberwasthe soggiestli�erpickIhaveeverdone.It wasabsolutelybucke�ng.Buttherewe were,merrilysloppingbitsoftrashinto massivebinbagsandfeelingfantas�c!
Weclearedaboutfivebinbagsworth fromthefrontoftheGreenwayCentrecar parkandanothersevenfromDoncaster RoadParkin�meforthetreeplan�ng thatwashappeningtherethenextday.
Itwasonlywhenwaterstarted comingthroughmybootsandmytoes startedtofreezethatwedecidedto callitaday.Butthesenseof sa�sfac�onwasimmense,injusta coupleofhoursIfeltlikeIhadreally achievedsomething.Ithinkba�ling therainactuallyaddedtothatsenseof achievement!
Isthissoundingappealing?Ifyou fancythesa�sfac�onbutnotthe sogginesswearehopingtomakethisa regularthingandhaveorderedsome drierweather.Ournextli�erpickwill beMonday20th February-seebelow!
Thereismoreoverthepageabouthow togetinvolvedwithalocal�dyup. Meanwhile,ifyouwouldliketobe addedtoourVolunteerLi�erPickerlist wecangiveyouacalloremailabout allfuturedates,sodogetintouch. email: lucillesmith@southmead.org tel:07498755863
Youmayhaveseen volunteersli�er-pickingand removingrubbishfromtheriverTrym inSouthmead.Thisispartofaneffort byourlocalgroupTroutintheTrymto cleanthewholeoftheriverTrymfrom SeaMillstoSouthmead,plustheHazel Brooktoo.Thegroupisen�rely volunteerled.
Volunteersarekeentorestoreand keepthehealthoftheriverTrymso wecanallseeandhearmorewildlife, andcanappreciatenatureonour doorstep.Healthyriversareareally importantwaytosupportwildlifeand plantstothrive.Riversprovidesafe placesforanimalstofindwater,food andshelterbutthesearedisappearing duetoclimatechange.Healthyrivers arealsoreallygreatforus.Having accesstowildspaces,seeingwildlife andhaving�meawayfromcitynoises cansupportgoodmentalhealth.
Sofarover50tonnesofrubbish hasbeentakenoutoftheTrym.You neverknowwhatyou’regoingtofind butsomeofthethingsourvolunteers havehauledoutinclude11 motorbikes,countlesscarpets,plas�c items,clothes,ba�eries,andbuilders’ rubbish.Removingthisrubbishhelps wildlifeasharmfulchemicalsand micro-plas�csarenolongerpollu�ng thewater.BristolCityCouncilhave helpedbytakingawaytherubbishat theendofeachsession.
We'veobservedandreported plentyofwildlifealready,including kingfishersandbrowntrout downstreamofWestburyonTrym. Pluswe’vespo�edmayfliesand freshwatershrimpsinSouthmead. Therehavealsobeensomerecent reportsofwatervoles.Theyusedto liveontheriverdecadesagobut becameveryrare.TroutintheTrym, alongwithBristolAvonCatchment Partnership,hasarrangedfora professionalecologicalsurveythisyear toseeiftheyreallyareback-watch thisspace.Itwillbegreattoseethem return!
Everyone’swelcometojoinour rivercleaningsessionson Fridaysand
Sundays.We’llstartpullingoutthe balsamagaininthesummer.Balsamis aninvasiveplantwhichcrowdsout localUKplantsanddamagesthesoil. Controllingithelpsthewhole ecosystem.Pleasejoinus-youcan findoutabout�mesandloca�onsby visi�ngourwebsite.
Youcanalsoreadtheonline wildlifeguideonourwebsiteandkeep alookout!Youcanrecordanything youspotwhenyou’reoutandabout byemailingusortellinguson Facebook.
Theeasiestwaytolooka�erthe riveristothinkaboutwhatweputin thewaterandhowwethrowawayour rubbish.It’simportantnottofly-�p andalwaysfollowthe3Ps!Neverput anythingexceptPoo,PeeandPaper downthetoilet.Everythingelsecan causeblockagesorputsomething harmfulinthewater.
Youcanalsoreportanypollu�on whichyousee.Thesoonerit’s reportedalongwiththemostaccurate loca�on,thesoonerWessexWaterwill
comeandtakealook.Youcancall themon03456004600.
Areyouinterestedinfindingout moreaboutTroutintheTrym?Would youliketogotoarivercleaning session?Getintouchwiththegroup. email:trou�nthetrym@gmail.com website:www.trou�nthetrym.co.uk tel:07377790087
Wouldyouliketodomorefor wildlife?
Onthenextpageyoucanfind outdetailsaboutatreeplan�ng dayinSouthmead. There’salsosomeideasonpage 7tonurturethecri�ersinour gardens,streets,parksand allotments!
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Winterisa�mewhenit’seasyto forgetaboutallthelifethat’s outthere.Butallthosecri�ers haven’tdisappeared,they’re justsheltering.Winterisin factaperfect�metothink abouthowtogiveour plantsandwildlifeaboost inthiscomingyear.
Thecoldermonthsare treeplan�ngseasonintheUK. It’sanexci�ng�metoplantsomething withtheknowledgethatit’llbea hometoinsectsandbirdsforyearsto come.Treesarealsogreatforus humanswhobenefitfromtheshade, oxygenandbeautytheygiveus.
Beesaren’tbuzzingaroundjust nowbutweneedtothinkaboutwhat they’dliketofeedoninspringtogive themaheadstart.Thisgoesforother
insectstoo.Unfortunatelythesecri�ers needahelpinghandbecauselotsoftheir habitatsaredisappearing.Wecanhelpby encouraginglotsofdifferentplantsand flowerstogrowforaslongaspossible throughouttheyear.Youcanplantherbs, bulbsandflowersinthegardenor simplyinapotonanoutdoor windowsill.Howeversome�mes theeasiestthingtodois nothing!Avoidmowinglawns andvergesinMayandJuneso thelonggrassandflowerscangive themshelterandfood.Thisiso�ena reallybeau�ful�measyouneverknow whatisgoingtopopup!
Birdsarenowlooking forhighenergyfood tokeepwarm.Some foodsupplieslike seedsmightbe runninglowfor them.Whynotset upabirdfeederso
theycangetagoodmeal.
Differentbirdseatdifferentthingsat different�mes,soit’s importanttofind
outhowtofeed
birdssafely.The RSPBhassome greatadviceon what,howand whentofeedbirds.It doesn’tneedtobeexpensive.Twoof myfavouriteideassofararemakinga feederoutofanoldteapotandhanging itup,ands�ckingyourwindfallor‘pastit’applesontopofahedgerow.
Ilovehearingbusybirdsandseeing whatlifeemergesinspring.EvenmoreI lovebeinganac�vepartincrea�nga healthyworldforthem(andus!)
Iwouldlovetohearwhatyoudofor plantsandwildlife.Maybeyou’dlike towriteaboutitinthenextedi�on?
email:ellatainton@southmead.org tel:01179503335
KathleenJuneGlover,orKath orKathyasshewascalledby herfriends,sadlypassedawaywith cancerattheendoflastyear.She wasmyfriendandPastoratthe PentecostalHolinessChurchin Southmeadformanyyears.I wantedtopaytributeforthelovely, caringpersonshewasandto acknowledgehowlikedandloved shewasinourcommunity.
Kathywasbornandbredin SouthmeadandlivedonAshburton Roadwithherfamily,theFelthams. Shea�endedDoncasterRoadJunior School(nowBadock’sWood)and thenPenParkSchool.Whenshe marriedDavetheylivedinoneof theflatsonthePostOfficeside,and thenontoahouseinDoncaster Roadneartoheroldschool-from whereshecouldrememberall thenamesofher classmatesandcouldtell youwhobelongedto whatfamily.Kathy knew so manypeople andsowasareal Southmeadianinevery senseoftheword.
Kathywasonmany differentcommi�eesoverthe yearsworkinghardforthe community:theSouthmead CommunityPlan;theSouthmead Forum;BristolParks;aswellasthose ofthedifferentgroupsandchurches. Shewasdevotedtothepeopleof Southmead,alongsideherbeloved husbandDavid,doingSunday school,youthclubsandcamps,as wellasChristmaspar�es(whichshe loved),andevengoingasfarasto dofancydressonoccasions!Even thoughtheyhadgreatfunwiththe kidsatcamp-onthebeach, cooking,andsneakinginto bedroomspu�ngfoamonthe pillowsforkidsfacestofallinto!–theywerealwaystheretolistento anyproblemstheyoungpeoplehad, alwaysbeingsensi�vetoeachof theirneeds.
KathyandDavealwayssaidthey wouldnotwanttoliveorwork anywhereelsebutSouthmead,and Kathywasalwaysthereforeveryone andanyone.Manya�mea�erchurch Iwoulddiscussmyownpersonal concernswithher,knowingitwasin fullconfidence.If anyoneneededali� orshoppingshe wouldbethere forthem,andif shecouldn’tbe there physicallyshe wouldalways beonthe phoneasking howthingswere.
Kathywas PastorDave’s supportformanyyears, notonlyashisWifeandCarer, butalsosuppor�nghimin churchasSundayschool teacher,youthworkerand preacher.Shewas officiallycommissionedas Pastoron3rd April2017 alreadyhavingtakenthe leadwhenDavepassed away.“PastorKathyisatried ‘n’truegood‘n’proven shepherd”,itwassaid,“andavery goodpastor”.Shedidsomany funeralsthesepasttwoyears,sadly,of whichthefamiliesconcernedwillbe forevergrateful.Shealwayswanted todoaweddingbutthatwasn'ttobe.
A�erDavepassedKathydecided totakeherselfoffabroadforsome holidaysbyherself-abravethingto doifyouaskme.Butshelovedit,and lovedtogoseaswimmingatwhichshe wasbrilliant.
Kathyhastwochildren,Peteand Emmalee,andthreegrandsons whoshelovedverymuch, aswellasanolder brother,Roger.Her oldersister
Evelynsentthis tributeforher: "MysisterKath lostherba�le withcancer.She wascourageous un�ltheendwhen sheslippedaway. Herloyaltytothe communitywasinspiring andIknowshewillbesorely missedbymany.Iamprivilegedto havesharedthislastjourneywithher andshewillalwaysbewithmeand themanypeoplewholovedher”.
Therehavebeenhundredsof tributestoKathy,Ihadarounda hundredandfi�ycommentsonmy Facebookpage.Buttheamountof peopleatherfuneralsaiditall.The churchwasoverflowing,withpeople standing,andifeveryonecouldhave turnedupthequeuewouldhavebeen pastIceland.Herfriendsandfamilyat churchwillmisshersomuchandit willtakesomeoneveryspecialtotake herplace.
Kathy,nowwithyourbelovedDave andyourPreciousLord,thankyoumy dearestfriendforbeingwithmyself andfamilyalltheseyears,wemissyou somuchalready.
Sheilaxx
ThankyoutoSheilaforwri�ng aboutKathyinthisedi�onofThe Mead.Adedicatedmemberofthe Southmeadcommunity,shewillbe missed.
TocelebrateInterna�onalWomen’s Day,joinusinraisingacuppato KathyonThursday9th Marchat
CoffeeMorning
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BristolWomen’sVoice,andavery dedicatedteamofvolunteers, arelookingforwardtospring,towork togetherontheprogrammeforour flagshipfreeeventoftheyear.
NotmanyfreeeventsinBristol a�ractasmanyvolunteerstosupport themasthis,orasdiversearangeof par�cipants.Thisyear’sInterna�onal Women’sDayeventwillbringtogether womenfromdifferentcommuni�es acrossBristoltoconnect,learnand celebrate.
Morethan100contributorsand partnerswillberunningworkshops, performances,exhibi�ons,ac�vi�esand talksinandaroundCityHall.Ac�vity themesincludehealth,nurture,poetry, music,filmandphotography,danceand visualarts.
Highlightsfromthedra� programmeinclude:Thewomenwho builtBristol;Ques�onTimewithMPs; sessionsonwomenintech,business andsport;discussionsonglobal feminism,climatechangeandwhat femaleleadershiplookslike;curvygirl yoga,menopauseac�on,selfdefencesessions;andLOTSmore.
Thisyearwe’replanninganevening eventandawomen’smarchaswell. We'llbepu�ngthefullprogrammeon ourwebsiteinthenextfewweeks.
Asa�nyorganisa�onthatpunches wellaboveitsweight,weonlypullthis offthankstoamassiveteamof dedicatedvolunteers.Wereallyneed sponsorstohelppromotetheeventand developsomeoftheac�vi�eswehave planned,ands�llneedevenmore volunteers,sowe’dlovetohearfrom you!
Areyouinterestedinsponsoringthe event?ContactKatyTaylor,email: director@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk
Canyoulendyour�metomakesure theeventrunssmoothly?Getintouch withTroy,email:
vtcoordinator@bristolwomensvoice.org.uk Formoreinfoandtheevents programmegotothewebsite www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk tel:07752552169
EveryTuesday4-5pm withCoachLash
Together,
MeetVickyWall,ourChildrenand YoungPeople’sSocialPrescribing ManageratSouthmeadDevelopment Trust.
ShetoldusallaboutLink Forward,ourSocial Prescribingservicefor youngpeopleaged7-12.
WhatisLinkForward?
Weworkwithyoung peoplewhoarefacing situa�onsthatare affec�ngtheirwellbeing. Thatmightbedifficul�esat schoolorathome,lowmoodor anxiety,orstrugglingwithfriendships. Wegive1:1supporttotheseyoung peopleforuptosixsessions.Together, wethinkaboutwhatcouldhelpto improvethings.Thenwelinkthem withgroupsandsupportintheir community.
Howdiditcomeabout?
SocialPrescribingissomethingthat hasbeenavailabletoadultsforyears, butupun�lLinkForwardwasbornin 2021therewasnowayofaccessing thistypeofsupportforchildrenin Bristol.SomeGPsinNorthBristol approachedus.Theywereseeinglots ofyoungpeoplecomingto appointmentswithworriesabouttheir mentalhealthandaskedifwecould help.Theteamhasgrownquickly sincethen!Wearetheonlyserviceof thiskindinBristol.
Whyisaprojectlikethisimportant? Becauselookinga�erourmental healthisimportant!Itcanbetough beingayoungperson.Weallgo throughthingsinourlivesthatcan takeatollonus.Researchhasshown thatthesoonerwereceivesupport, themorewecanpreventthese situa�onsfromreachingcrisispoint.
Wehopethatthroughour1:1 sessions,andtheconnec�onsmadein theircommuni�es,childrencanhave sometoolsearlyinlifeforlooking a�ertheirownmentalhealth.Thisis reallyimportantforthechildrenthat wesupport,butitalsohasawider impact.Wehaveallreadabouthow stretchedGPsandmentalhealth
servicesare.Byprovidingsupport early,wecanhelptoavoidtheneed forhigherlevelmentalhealthsupport laterinlife.Thiswillhelptorelieve pressureonthesevitalservices. Howdoesitwork?
Wemainlyreceive referralsfromGPsand schoolsinNorth Bristol.Other organisa�onscan refertousaswell. Whatmakesour1:1 supportreallysuccessful arethegroupsthatwerun ourselvesandinpartnership withotherorganisa�ons.Theyoung peoplewhoarereferredtouscan cometoResilienceLab,Empire Figh�ngChance’sBoxingTherapy, ForestSchool,WellbeingArts,anda DigiLocalCodingClub.
WhocanLinkForwardsupport?
Anybodyaged7–12yearsoldwhois experiencingchallengessuchaspoor mentalhealth,difficul�esa�ending school,orsocialisola�on.Theyalso needtoberegisteredatoneoftheGP prac�cesthatwesupport–youcan seethelistabove.Youcangetintouch withyourGPtofindoutmore.
Whatmo�vatesyoutorunaproject likethis?
Ithinkmanyofushavehadthatone momentwhenyoufeltheardand valued,orthatonepersonwho
ToreferayoungpersontoLink Forward,theyneedtobe
GloucesterRoadMedicalCentre
HorfieldHealthCentre
ShirehamptonGroupPrac�ce
BradgateSurgery
RidingleazeHealthHub
AvonmouthMedicalCentre
Westbury-on-TrymPrimaryCare Centre
SeaMillsSurgery
GreenwayCommunityPrac�ce
FallodonWayMedicalCentre
listenedandtoldyouthatyou ma�ered.Thatfeelingcanlasta life�me.TheLinkWorkersinourteam maywellbethatpersonforthese youngpeopleandoverthelasttwo yearswehaveseentheeffectthatthis canhave.IalsobelievethatSocial Prescribingisarevolu�onaryapproach tohealthcare.Forusitmeanspu�ng thechildandwhatma�erstothemat thecentreofeverythingwedo.
WhatisyourfavouritepartofLink Forward?
Iamimmenselyproudofmyteamfor alwaystryingtheirbestfortheyoung peoplewesupport.Theyworkreally hardtofindwhatma�erstoeach individual,encouragingthemtobuild confidence,talkabouthowtheyfeel, andtrynewthings.Someofmy favouritemomentshavebeeninour weeklyWellbeingArtsgroupwhere weworkwithclay.It’sreallyfunseeing whateveryone’simagina�oncreates! Youcanreadmoreaboutthemagicof clayonthenextpage.
Everyonehassuchcoolinterests andhobbieswhichIlovefindingout about!Youmayhavereadabout Connie’sIsopodClubinthelastedi�on ofTheMead.Onthenextpageyou canreadaboutCharlie’spassionfor trains!
GetintouchwithVickyformoreinfo aboutLinkForward
email:vickywall@southmead.org
tel:01179503335
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LinkForward’sWellbeingArts groupharnessesthemagicof claytoallowchildrentobemessyand crea�ve.Thegroupprovidesasafe spacerunbyanexperiencedfacilitator wherechildrencangettogripswith big-worldfeelingswhilstmaking friends,learninganewskill,and havingfun.
Butwhatexactlyisthemagicof clay?I’vebeenthinkingalotabout whyclayhassuchanimpactoneach groupofchildrenwhoareintroduced tothisuniquematerial.Slowlybut surelytheycomeoutoftheirshells.I canneverquiteputmyfingeronwhy butI’vehadsomethoughts… Clayismud,dugfrom theearth - Itis alwaysfunand freeingtoget messyand clayprovides messin bucketloads!
Clayisan experience forallofthe senses -Sloppy andslimywhen wet,crunchyand chalkywhenitdries. Youcanmakefantas�c squelchingnoisesonthewheel,or loudechoingbangswhenyouhitit witharollingpin.Itevensmells unique.
Claynurturesourimagina�ons -From mythicalcreaturestofantas�c monsters,delicateflowerstobizarre buildings–nothingisofflimits.
Clayboostsyourself-esteem -You don’tneedtobeanexperttocreate somethingnew.Thebowlmaynotbe perfectlyroundortheduckmaynot lookcompletelylikeaduck,butyou madeit!
Clayisadaptableandforgiving -You cancrushitupandrollitbackintoa bowl,oryoucanfireitandbele�with somethingpermanentthatwilllastfor yearstocome.
ClaycanhelpyoutocommunicateWhetherthatisbyexpressingyour feelingsthroughtheartthatyou
create,orwhetheritis justeasiertotalk aboutthingswhilst yourhandsare busysculp�ng. Clayprovides community -We canworktogether tocreateart,help eachotherwithideas, cheereachotheron,and getlosttogetherinthe
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Welovecelebra�ngthe interestswhichouryoung peoplehave.Theyareso knowledgeableaboutsomuch stuff!Letmeintroduceyoutoan enthusiastIknow.
“Hello!Mynameis Charlie.Iamfascinated bytrainsbecauseIlove learningnewfactsabout themandridingonthem tonewplaces.Ihavelots ofmodeltrainsathome
make-believeworldthatourcrea�ons existin.Friendshipsmadeinthegroup bringcomfortandconfidence.
Someofthegrouphavebecome talentedar�sts-thecreatorofthe claydragonshascon�nuedtodraw themsincethegroupended.It’sgreat toseeayoungperson’sskillsand enthusiasmgrow!Belowyoucanread aboutanotherofouryoungpeople whohasakeeninterestofhisown!
andenjoytakingthemaparttosee howtheywork.
MyfavouritetrainisTheFlying Scotsmanbecauseithasareally interes�nghistory.Didyouknow thatin1947itde-railednearthe villageof Goswick, Northumberland?
TheInter-City125is anotheroneofmy favouritesbut unfortunatelyit wasscrapped because everybody thoughtitwas boring!”
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TerryG.JohnsonofFonthill Roadhassadlypassedawayat 89a�eralongba�lewith pneumonia.Originallyan R.A.Fengineer,he becameaplumberby tradeandwentonto ownatropicalfishshop onColdHarbourRd, wherehemethispartner ofthenext43years,Louise.
MovingintoSouthmeadatthe tenderageoftwo,Terrywasalifelong residentandaconstantpresenceinhis community,foreverlendingoutbike pumpsandfixinganythingpeople broughthim.Hewasalwayshappyto offerhelpwherehecouldandtostop foracoffeeandachat.Anavidreader oftheMead,Terrywouldpointout peopleheknewinmanyanar�cle.He o�enrecitedtalesofwar�meBristol, theSouthmeadBoysClubandhis�me intheR.A.F.
Askilledstoryteller,oneyarnhe wasquitefondofretellingisthatofan extraordinaryschooldayinhisyouth. AsevenyearoldTerrywenttogoto
theoutbuildinginwhatisnow FonthillPrimarySchooland,upon leaving,lookeduptoseethePolish Airunitflyingoverheadedtothe centretodefendagainstan air-raid.Sirensblaring,nooneseemedtohave rememberedthatli�le Terryhadgonetotheloo!
Alovingfather, grandfatherandgreatgrandfather–heissurvived byLouise,his5children(Debbie, Terry,Kay,AliciaandFreya),6 grandchildrenand6greatgrandchildren,whowillallsorely misshearinghisstories.
Family,friendsandotherswhose lifeTerrytouchedgatheredat CanfordCrematoriuminWestbury OnTrymonFebruary9th to reminisce,supporteachotherand, asTerryalwayslikedtodo,justchat.
ThankyoutoTerryforbeinga dedicatedreaderofTheMead,and toTerry’sfamilyfortellinghisstory inthisedi�on.
Backinlatesummer2022there werenewsreports ofanenergyandcostof livingcrisiswhich woulddras�cally affectpeopleover thecomingwinter.
Weaskedour
NeighboursConnect Southmeadpar�cipants aboutwhatmightbehelpful throughthewintermonths.Theysaid affordablefood,aplacetosocialise andsomewheretokeepcosy.
WedecidedtotrialMondayLunch ClubfromthebeginningofDecember 2022un�lMarch2023.Thelunchclub
runsfortnightly.Ini�allyNeighbours ConnectSouthmeadpar�cipantswere invitedandcouldhelpplanwhatac�vi�es theymightliketodo.Sincethenwe’ve alsohadreferralsfromourinhouseLinkWorkersand
Mentors.EveryotherMonday wehave7-10peoplegather togethertoenjoyahearty ‘winterwarmer’bowlwith dessertforonly£2.50,from thebrilliant CaféDes
Amishereatthe GreenwayCentre. A�erlunchweplay agameordoan ac�vitywhichis alwaysagoodlaugh. Sofarwe’vetried
singing,bingo,quizzesandwreath makingatChristmas.It’sbeena wonderfulwaytospend�me together.Ideasforac�vi�esare alwayswelcome!
Ifanyonehasstruggledtoget hereontheirown,wehave supportedthemtosignuptoTheBig Lemon,thenewdial-a-ridetransport company.
Wehopetocon�nuethelunch cluba�erourtrialendsinMarch.
Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningus pleasecontactme
email:
simonedavis@southmead.org
tel:01179503335
FortransportinfofromThe BigLemon
tel:01172447337
WellbeingCoaching atGreenwayGymandFitness
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Hello!I’mDavid,theWellbeing CoachatGreenway.Iworkclosely withourcommunitybasedteamslike theSocialPrescribingLinkWorkersto offercoachingforpeoplewithhealth condi�ons.
Some�mespeoplefindithardto knowwheretostart.I’mhereto supportyouwithge�ngtheright physicalac�vi�esandanutri�ous dietsoyoucangetahealthboost.
Ifyou’reinterested, askyourGPorLink Workerandask themtoreferyouto me.Orcontactme tofindoutmore.
email: davidsully@southmead.org
tel:01179503335
NEXTBS10PARKS& PLANNINGMEETINGS
Monday13thFebruary
Henbury&Brentry CommunityHall 6:30-7pm
Monday13thMarch GreenwayCentre Forinfo,contactMike tel:07875126321
David’sWellbeingTopTip
Keepyourhearthealthythiswinter!
Regularexercisewillgetyourheart rateupandimproveyourblood pressurewhilstalsokeepingyou warm.Awin-win!
FRIENDSHIPCAFE
Wednesdays(term-�me) 10am-12pm
BABY&TODDLERGROUP
Mondays 9:30-11am
Forinfo,contact: 01179591250
Goodcoffee! Childrenwelcome. Dropinforhoweverlong you’dliketo.
SUPPORTTHEWELLBEING OFPEOPLEAROUNDYOU
Contact
SouthmeadSlimmingWorld GreenwayCentre,Southmead,BS105PY
Mondays9:00-10:30am
Tuesdays17:30-19:00pm
Fridays9:30-11:00am
ContactNicolaon07873818193formoredetails. Orjustcomealongtoasessionthatfitsyour schedule.Sessionsavailable52weeksoftheyear!
FREEMENTALHEALTHTRAINING Monday20thFebruary2023 1:30-4:30pm
GreenwayCentre,BS105PY
FreetrainingfromThriveBristoltoimproveour knowledge,skillsandconfidencetoofferpeople mentalhealthandwellbeingsupport. Tofindoutmoreemail:siobhan.buck@cassbristol.org ortel:07939933223
COFFEEMORNING
THEMEAD19
NEXTTEAMSOUTHMEAD MEETINGS
NEXTINCLUSION SOUTHMEADMEETING
Mondays 10:30-11:30am
PentecostalHoliness
Forinfo,contact: 01179871327
Joinusforacuppa,company andachat.Allwelcome!
THANKYOUTO EVERYONEWHO CONTRIBUTEDTOTHIS ISSUE
Contribu�onsfromthecommunity arewhatwelovetoseeinThe Mead.We’reextremelygratefulfor the�meandenergythatpeopleput intotheiritems.
WOULDYOULIKETOSHARE SOMETHINGWITHTHEMEAD?
We’dlovetohearfromyou! Ifyouneedsomeguidanceon contribu�ngyouritem(couldbea story,event,picturesorpoetry) pleasecontactLucille tel:07498755863
email: lucillesmith@southmead.org
PleasehelpustodeliverTheMeadto communitybuildings(ifyouhavea car)ordoortodoorinyourstreeton foot.Youwillneedtobeabletopick upcopiesfromtheGreenwayCentre, contact:Alexontel:01179503335
Tuesday28th February
Tuesday28th March
11am-1pm StStephen’sChurch Forinfo,contactDeana tel:07790426609
DIDYOUREADTHELASTISSUE?
We’dlovetohearyourthoughts! Ifyouhavefeedbackontheissueor howTheMeadcouldconnectmore people,pleasedogetintouch. Tel:01179503335,oremail themead@southmead.org
LanercostCentre Fornextmee�ng,contact Deana tel:07790426609
DIDYOUKNOW? TheMeadiscompletely recyclable!
We’vealsostoppedusing staplestoavoidunnecessary waste. So,onceyou’vefinished reading(andthoroughly enjoying!)yourmagazine,the bestthingtodoispopitinto yourblackrecyclingbox.
THENEXTSUBMISSIONDEADLINEFORCONTENTFORTHEMEADIS:
Friday3rd March2023
SouthmeadDevelopmentTrustproudlysponsorsTheMead. Contactusbyemail:themead@southmead.org
ortel:01179503335 dovetonpress.co.uk
