We have a slightly different programme over the next two weeks and we are limiting numbers at this moment in time, so please call to book.
The Net and WALT Christmas Openings
Category: walt
It’s beginning to look a lot like normal
I hesitate to say it, because COVID19 cases are still way too high BUT, we are starting to buzz again.
While we’re not advertising the sessions as such, we have got most of our regulars back in two or three times a week now, albeit with a slightly amended social schedule.
Walderslade Together has done an incredible job, keeping members in the loop with both old and new activities, with every session now coming with the in-person or virtual participation options.
Most of our external groups are back, and we hope to welcome the foodbank back in the near future. In lieu of their return, we are continuing with our free brunch on a Thursday morning.
The Coffee and Craft session running on a Friday afternoon may change but we will of course update that as required.
If you have any queries that aren’t answered by our What’s On page, you can reach us or WALT on 01634 319633, or email community@waldersladehub.org.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Jaye, Ruth and Sharon.
The 2.6 Challenge to raise much needed funds
The 2.6 Challenge is a simple and fun way for everyone to do their bit to help save the UK’s charities.
Sunday 26 April was the scheduled date of the 40th London Marathon, traditionally a huge earner for charities throughout the UK.
Due to the COVID19 outbreak, this – along with many other fundraising activities – has been cancelled. In response, the organisers of the biggest mass-participation sports events across the country have come together to create a new campaign to raise vital funds to help save the UK’s charities.
This is a challenge for all ages and abilities and all you need to do is think of an activity based on the London marathon around the numbers 26 or 2.6.
This could be something as simple as pledging to run 2.6 miles as your daily exercise to doing 26 minutes of yoga or even juggling for 26 minutes non-stop. The only requirement is that the activity must follow the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing.
Thousands of fundraising events across the UK have been cancelled due to Covid-19 with a devastating impact on charity income that means many charities are facing closure. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) CEO Karl Wilding estimates that the UK charity sector will lose £4 billion in income as a result of the pandemic.
This impacts all sectors of society – from children to the elderly – as well as the vital work in areas such as palliative care, serious diseases, mental health, housing support, food supplies and countless others that charities support.
We’ve seen overwhelming support from the public for Medway’s charities and community groups, working with Public Health Medway, to ensure that the vulnerable people we represent are not forgotten during the lockdown. To help us cover some of our income losses due to the hub closing, and to prepare for getting back to normal, please do what you can as part of the 2.6 Challenge and donate to our fund here: https://localgiving.org/charity/the-net-community-hub/
Thank you.
Our contingency plan for COVID19
As you are aware, we are a lifeline for the elderly and isolated residents in Walderslade.
During the current situation, we have to find a balanced way forward, whereby we try and protect our members and volunteers from the virus yet also ensure they’re not abandoned into isolation.
Regretfully, this means that our usual activity sessions will all be suspended as of now. However, we will be opening the hub for a drop in session on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 11am-1pm for those who need us. We have hygiene measures in place, with hand wipes available and surfaces cleaned before and after each session, in addition to our normal cleaning routine.
We respectfully ask that anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to the virus NOT to come to the hub but to follow the public health advice of self-isolating at home.
WALT will ensure that the members they are physically unable to bring to the hub as usual are telephoned at least once a week. They are also in the process of setting up online communications between those members, in order for them to still talk to their friends.
Also, due to the idiotic panic buying, we have vulnerable people concerned about grocery supplies. People with physical issues who can’t cook fresh food. People who can’t get out to the shops. So any donations of ready meals that we can distribute would be most welcome – thank you.
We will continue to update here and on social media with regard to our own sessions and those by partners such as Pip’n’Jim’s and Medway Youth Service.
Thank you for your support.
Jaye Nolan, Manager.
WALT’s amazing Christmas
We love our Walties!
2019 has proven to be the most fulfilling Christmas and New Year period at the hub to date.
A quick snapshot of what has been achieved by WALT would show:
- 2 groups of at least 5 people supported in Christmas shopping.
- 2 Christmas parties arranged and attended by over 20 people at each venue in Lords Wood and Walderslade.
- 4 Christmas Day food hampers and gifts were provided to families in desperate need.
- Toys/Gifts were provided to families for 20 children, whilst others were shared with local churches and preschool groups for children in need, linked to their services.
- 100 gift bags containing handmade gifts, chocolate oranges and cards were distributed across ME5 to those who are socially isolated and / or are members of WALT.
- A Christmas Day box filled with clothes for 1 person with very little of their own.
- On Christmas Day, 6 members were visited, invited to lunch under the share-a-chair initiative or supported to have Christmas Dinner at Pip & Jim’s Church.
- 20 people – who would otherwise have been alone – enjoyed a Boxing Day brunch here at the hub.
WALT also hosted a Christmas meal for their amazing volunteers and presented gifts to show how much their love and support is appreciated at Christmas, and indeed, throughout the year.
This is all possible thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated food, clothing, their craft skills and so much more.
The Net couldn’t achieve what it does without WALT, and we’re delighted that we are able to support them in their endeavours. This is thanks to the support that we get from funders, who last year included Kent Community Foundation (continuing for another two years), Magic Little Grant, the Kent Messenger, the Co-op and the National Lottery.
Here’s to 2020!
An eventful year comes to a close
What a year it’s been for us, here at the Net!
With fundraising events, successful bids and an ever-strengthening partnership with Walderslade Together, we’re looking forward to consolidating our offer to the residents of Walderslade and Lords Wood as we enter 2020.
A huge part of our success is down to our fantastic Walties – the volunteers engaged by Walderslade Together who support so many local people. Whether it’s shopping, taking to hospital appointments or just chatting to them, our volunteers tirelessly give their time and energy to making peoples’ lives better.
To say thank you, we held a special Christmas dinner for them last week.
Our Arts & Crafts Club has been given a boost by volunteer Cat, and the new Brainstormz! support group is run by Sue, a dream to make happen she’s had for a long time.
If you would like to become a volunteer at the hub, and start an activity group or support session for something you’re passionate about, drop into any of our sessions, email Jaye via community@waldersladehub.org, or call us on 01634 319633.
To find out more about the volunteering opportunities with WALT, contact Sharon via volunteer@waltcic.org.uk.
A huge thank you to the Coop, with their community fund netting us the awesome amount of £6,378.94, and to the KM Group for their support as Charity of the Year, for the Medway Messenger this year. And, of course, to the Kent Community Foundation for their ongoing support, which culminated in them awarding us core funding for the next three years.
We’re also indebted to The National Lottery and Magic Little Grants, whose support enables us to do so much more.
Here’s to 2020!
*New Activity* Reminiscence Cafe
We’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and thanks to the recent National Lottery Funding award, WALT is running this for us on the second Thursday in the month, beginning October 10th (1.30-3.30pm).
Bring along a family heirloom or some photos to talk about and we’ll record your stories. We’d particularly like to hear from anyone who has always lived in the Walderslade area and can tell us more about the changes over the years.
New keepsakes can be made from memories and kept in a Memory Box (supplied), which you can decorate using our craft supplies here. There is a small fee of £2 but this does include refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks!
We did it! The KM Colour Run
With manager, Jaye, and WALT volunteers Donal and Liam, doing the hard work, a fun day was nevertheless had by all – particularly resident doggy, Sam!
We’ve no idea what the times were, because, let’s face it, no-one was timing. The priority was to become as multicoloured as possible. The powder – distributed by hand or fire extinguisher – is organic and washes out easily enough, and tastes like sherbet, so it’s all good!
The total raised hasn’t been properly calculated but we reckon it’s around the £300 mark. Here’s a snapshot of Sam basking in the glory 🙂
Brunch and a bit more …
The Net and WALT are delighted to brighten up our Wednesday daytimes, introducing ‘Brunch and a bit more’!
As stated, there’ll be nibbles by way of a bacon roll, or perhaps waffles – something tasty each week, washed down with a cuppa. And all for a paltry £2!
That’s the brunch part anyway. The bit more will include a singalong (like today’s inaugural brunch), arts & crafts, special visitors – it’s very much lead by the attendees, who’ve already begun making a list of what they’d enjoy.
So why not head down our way on Wednesdays between 10am-2pm? We look forward to seeing you.
The Net and WALT volunteer Jean Judge nominated for a Pride in Medway Award
It’s that time of the year again, when the people who make Medway better are recognised with nominations in the Pride in Medway awards.
We’re delighted that one of The Net and WALT’s joint volunteers, Jean Judge, has been recognised in the Volunteer of the Year category following her nomination by WALT.
An invaluable resource, Jean – seen above with many of the members – helps with shopping, home visits, taking people to medical appointments and social events, as well as bringing them to the hub to meet friends for a natter over a cuppa.
Jean says: “I feel extremely proud to get this recognition and I thoroughly enjoy doing what I do – it keeps me out of mischeif! I’m happy I can make a contribution to helping people stay socially active and not be left sitting indoors alone”.
WALT’s volunteer co-ordinator, Sharon O’Flynn, says: “Jean was our second ever volunteer and has been with us for two and a half years – now our longest serving. We love her to bits. She’s reliable and friendly and nothing is ever too much trouble. Nominating her for an award was a no-brainer, she absolutely deserves it.”
The awards are now in their 17th year and is made up of eight categories: Charity Fundraiser; Community Service; Good Carer; Green Champion; Health and Hospital; Young Heroes, Sports Coach of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Judges including Medway Council, Medway Messenger, Uniper, mhs Homes and Mid Kent College will meet to decide the winners, with the results due in the next couple of months.
The Net Community Hub 