We had a dozen of us in the room which allowed each person plenty of time to say what they wanted. Representatives from Abri Housing, Age Concern, Electric Eels, Family Friends in Windsor and Maidenhead, Green Room School, Healthwatch East Berkshire, Mens Matters’ RBWM Library Service, The Autism Group, Windsor Foodshare & Windsor Social Prescribing Service met for a couple of hours last Friday morning.
A couple of ideas came forward that are being explore and many new connections made.
I know everyone enjoyed the experience and got something from it. I did email them all after saying if they wanted me to share more about them to answer the following questions:
Kipling – I Keep Six Honest Serving Men
Who are you?
Where are you from?
What does your organisation do for the community?
Why did you attend today?
How can the community be of assistance?
When do you need the help by?
Plus your contact details you are happy for me to share on a blog post
A few have responded and I’ll add more as they come forward…
1) I am Pauline Walker, founder & Director of Swimming from The Electric Eels Swimming & Synchro Club for people with Down’s Syndrome. The age to start at the club is 8 years, no upper age limit. We are the only club in the country of it’s type that teaches absolute beginners to European & World level. We train at Windsor Leisure centre on Saturday evenings from 5.30 – 6.30 & 6.30 – 7.30. We are all volunteers and all funds raised goes back into the club
2) We train in Windsor ,with lots of local members, but as the only club of its type young people travel from quite long distances to come to the club
3) We give young people with Down’s Syndrome the opportunity to learn to swim, in turn this helps to keep them fit, makes them more socially aware, able to mix & communicate. Also chances to compete against other young people with D.S. we have other social functions. Belonging to a club makes them feel like their siblings & part of something.
For parents: a chance to network, an opportunity to sit and relax for am hour, knowing their person is in safe hands. Many parents have a difficult life and this is really important. It also makes parents aware that their child can do things given the chance, but takes longer that others.
For volunteers: an opportunity to give something back, to learn about people less able than them selves, gives the volunteers confidence, the ability to communicate with people that they would never mix with. Opportunities to get training, helps with the D of E volunteering part of that scheme. Many volunteers then choose to work with people with disabilities in later life.
4) Was interested in finding out what other organisations there out there, & if there were any grants available any where
5) We are always looking for volunteers, either in the water, on poolside, or with other skills that help to run clubs, & of course funding/grants
6) no time scale.
7) Pauline Walker from Burnham, 07794 546 799 p.walker42@outlook.com
Who are you? Becky Peates, Charity Manager
Where are you from? The Autism Group
What does your organisation do for the community? We offer a warm, well informed response to the needs of young people on the autistic spectrum, their parents, carers and wider community through our special interest clubs, workshops and parent support services .
Why did you attend today? To enhance our links with other community organisations, to identify people who also work to support the families we work with
How can the community be of assistance? Let people they are supporting know about our services, let us know who they can support and how
When do you need the help by? Ongoing
Plus your contact details you are happy for me to share on a blog post becky@theautismgroup.org.uk
Who are you? Danielle Lane – Community Development Officer
Where are you from? Abri Housing
What does your organisation do for the community? Abri provide social housing, I work in the community with local organisations and charities to support and empower customers and the wider community through various activities, events and groups.
Why did you attend today? To speak about services Abri provide and meet new organisations in the area
How can the community be of assistance? Any networking is great to see where we can work together.
When do you need the help by? N/A
Plus your contact details you are happy for me to share on a blog post
Danielle.lane@abri.co.uk
