South West Action for Learning and Living Our Way (SWALLOW) a charity based in Somerset supporting people with learning disabilities. SWALLOW quarterly magazine is filled with information and photos about the charity and our members.
Community Challenge The Hawthorns tenants will now be able to host their own garden parties following the work that was completed on the 5 th June as part of the B&NES Community Challenge day. Huge thank you to the team of staff from B&NES council who arrived bright and early on a beautiful day and spent the morning pruning the trees and hedges, painting the shed, erecting a new BBQ and archway, digging and planting new flower beds and generally turning The Hawthorns garden into a little oasis for the tenants, and their guests, to enjoy. More photos inside on page 2. Page 2 Supported Housing Page 3 Courses Page 4 Base House Work Skills Page 5 SWALLOW Community Cafe Page 6 Sports Fun Day Page 7 Other News Page 8 Fundraising Dates for your Diary Youth Club Newsletter Summer 2014 Sports Fun Day The weather has really been smiling down on us over the past few weeks and our Sports Fun Day was no exception. Sunny, but with a cooling breeze, the day saw over 150 people of all ages from SWALLOW and Fosse Way School come together to enjoy a variety of different sports and activities. For the full report and photos turn to page 6. Community Cafe The SWALLOW Community Cafe is now open and our hardworking members are looking forward to welcoming the public. See page 7 for photos and information about the Cafe and its opening times.
Transcript
Community Challenge The Hawthorns tenants will now be
able to host their own garden
parties following the work that was
completed on the 5th June as part
of the B&NES Community
Challenge day.
Huge thank you to the team of staff
from B&NES council who arrived
bright and early on a beautiful day
and spent the morning pruning the
trees and hedges, painting the shed,
erecting a new BBQ and archway,
digging and planting new flower beds
and generally turning The Hawthorns
garden into a little oasis for the tenants, and their
guests, to enjoy.
More photos inside on page 2.
Page 2 Supported Housing
Page 3 Courses
Page 4 Base House
Work Skills
Page 5 SWALLOW
Community Cafe
Page 6 Sports Fun Day
Page 7 Other News
Page 8 Fundraising
Dates for your Diary
Youth Club
Newsletter Summer 2014
Sports Fun Day The weather has really been smiling down on us
over the past few weeks and our Sports Fun
Day was no exception. Sunny, but with a
cooling breeze, the day saw over 150 people of
all ages from SWALLOW and Fosse Way
School come together to enjoy a variety of
different sports and activities. For the full report
and photos turn to page 6.
Community Cafe The SWALLOW Community Cafe is now open
and our hardworking members are looking
forward to welcoming the public. See page 7 for
photos and information about the Cafe and its
opening times.
Hawthorns Garden Makeover - Community Challenge photos...
Supported Housing
Race for Life SWALLOW members continue to do amazing things and in
June, Sarah Stanton Hobbs participated in the Race for Life.
Here she is pictured with her medal and Bath Rugby
Foundation Breakthrough mentor, Caryl, at the end of the 5k
race which she completed in under an hour. Well done Sarah!
Summer Newsletter 2014 Page 2
Redfield Road Gardening Club On 8
th June the Redfield Road Gardening Club made the most of the warm weather, and
their lovely garden, by hosting a celebration for Paul, Sandra and Debbie who all have
birthdays around the same time. The Gardening Club invited the Hawthorns tenants and
Base House members to join them and everyone had a wonderful time.
SWALLOW Ladies Night - Radstock Fire Station
On Wednesday 30th April we went to
Radstock Fire Station. It was really
interesting to see how it all works. Shaun
Plummer talked about what it’s like to work
at the Fire Station. I went on the fire engine
and it was good. Caroline took some
photographs of us learning how to hold the
hose and putting on jackets and boots too.
Afterwards we went for a drink at the
Radstock Hotel and planned the next Ladies’
Night.
By Sandra Mullens
Ladies’ & Men’s Nights The Ladies’ and Men’s only nights continue to entertain and inform
with a variety of trips over the past 3 months that have included
visits to Radstock Fire Station and a Steam Engine museum. In
addition participants like Laura have learnt new skills. Laura learnt
how to cross stitch and made a Father’s Day card with her new found talent.
Courses
Boogie Nights Don’t forget that this summer there will be another Boogie Nights dance show. If you
would like to join in please contact Judy on 01761 414034 to book your place. Boogie
Nights is held on Thursdays between 7pm and 9pm at West Hill Sports and Social Club.
Summer Newsletter 2014 Page 3
Men’s Night - Steam Engine Museum
Horticulture WSES The gorgeous weather has allowed our WSES
Gardening group to really enjoy the outdoors. The
summer hanging baskets have all been planted and
sold raising funds for more seeds and equipment. You
can contribute too when you buy your own gardening
supplies through this website:
www.littlegreensprouts.co.uk/swallow . On the 5th
June
the group joined the Community Challenge team at The
Hawthorns and helped plant the new flower beds.
The Craft WSES has had a busy June selling their products at
Sainsbury’s Odd Down and also at the Bath Artisan Market in
Green Park. Customers are delighted with the group’s products
and always comment on the quality of their work. The next craft
stalls that are coming up are:
13th
July Artisan Market, Green Park, Bath
2nd
August Nunney Street Fayre
Summer Newsletter 2014 Page 4
Work Skills Enterprise Scheme
Craft - Forget me Not
Base House Base House continues to be enjoyed by
Fosse Way School pupils who use this
service as part of their post 16 experience.
Here they are pictured enjoying some
al fresco dining all together with John.
Summer Newsletter 2014 Page 5
SWALLOW Community Cafe The SWALLOW Community Cafe has been open since April and has been gaining a
reputation for reasonably priced, good quality, home cooked food and attracting lots
of new customers. In addition the Cafe is giving people with learning disabilities the
opportunity of gaining meaningful work experience. The small team works well together
and has a lot of fun whilst creating a welcoming hub for the local community to use.
The Community Cafe is open on Wednesday and Friday between 11am and 3pm - we
look forward to seeing you there!
'We are getting to know some of
our regular customers now.
They have been very supportive.'
Claire
‘It’s absolutely brilliant
working in the Cafe.’
Callum ‘I have found it interesting meeting
and talking to our customers, they
are all friendly and kind.’
Chris
Summer Newsletter 2014 Page 6
Sports Fun Day On Saturday 14
th June SWALLOW members and Fosse Way School
pupils and their friends and families took part in our Sports Fun Day.
Our guest of honour was Kate Grey, a paralympic swimmer. Bath
Rugby Foundation, Somerset Football Association, Mendip Golf Club
and Wheels for All came to run taster sessions of their sports. In
addition we had an hour of energetic Zumba, some calming Tai Chi
and table tennis available to try. The day was a chance for families
to come together and try something new to encourage more of us to
get into sport and embrace a healthy, active lifestyle.
Over 150 people of all ages came and thanks to the BBQ, hoopla, tombola and cake stall
the day raised over £500 which will be split between SWALLOW and Fosse Way School.
Lucy Cotterell’s feedback form was the first card drawn from our box and so Lucy won
the goody bag that was on offer. Thank you to everyone who came, especially the
organisations that made the event so successful.
Sad Death of Mr Brian Roper Sadly we report that a long term benefactor of
SWALLOW, Mr Brian Roper, has sadly died after losing
his battle with cancer. Mr Roper was the founder of
Roper Rhodes bathrooms and over the years he and
his wife, Margaret, have donated more than £6million to
charitable causes within Bath & North East Somerset.
SWALLOW is thankful for the interest and donations
received from Mr and Mrs Roper and send sincere
condolences to Margaret and their family.
Bristol 10k SWALLOW member, Mark Filer, completed another target this
spring by finishing the Bristol 10K race on Sunday 11th May.
Both Mark and Sarah (featured on page 2) are an inspiration to
the rest of us as they have embraced new health and fitness
regimes in order to complete these events. Amazing SWALLOW
members.
Summer Newsletter 2014 Page 7
Other News Health & Wellbeing Award SWALLOW recently joined the Workplace Wellbeing
Charter, which is a nationally developed award scheme
to boost workplace health. At the beginning of May our
efforts were recognised when Dr Bruce Lawrence
(Director of Public Health) and Simon Allan (Councillor)
presented us with our certificate. We are very proud of
our efforts.
SWALLOW The Old Engine House Old Pit Road Midsomer Norton BA3 4BQ 01761414034 [email protected] www.swallowcharity.org Reg Charity No: 1045893
Summer Newsletter 2014 Page 8
Youth Club The Youth Club has now relocated to the
same site as the SWALLOW Community
Cafe and continues to grow in popularity.
Lily - Youth Leader
Fundraising & Marketing
Marafun and Bath Half Marathon Once again we are on the hunt for runners who can fundraise
for us! We have two events coming up to suit all abilities.
The first is the Marafun in September which is being
organised by the Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club. Not only can
we enter a team of runners we have also been chosen to
benefit from the funds that are raised through the event.
The second is the wonderful Bath Half Marathon which in
2015 will take place on Sunday 2nd March. If you, or anyone
you know, would be interested in participating in these events
whilst raising money for SWALLOW please contact Jess Robinson or Nicky Tew for more
