Tag: community

Activities, charity, Community News, Events

Medway Women’s History Month Event – Overcoming Adversity: Medway’s female community doers

The Net Community Hub

Saturday 22nd March from 1pm-2pm (as part of Brainstormz!). Doors open 12.15pm. You can book tickets here.

The Net Community Hub plays host to three extraordinary women, who, in spite of the difficulties they face, make the lives of Medway residents so much richer.

Sue Bulpin, Sam Rapp and Kate Belmonte are in conversation on Saturday, March 22nd at the Net Community Hub from 1pm.

Sue lives with Functional Neurological Disorder and, as she put it “hit a wall” at weekends. Volunteering since she was forced to give up work due to her condition, Sue kept herself busy all week but found herself losing energy at the weekends.

Thus Brainstormz! was born. Beginning at the Hub on Saturday afternoons and now expanded to Rainham Healthy Living Centre on a Monday, Sue has engaged many people with neurological conditions, and was rewarded with being a Pride in Medway finalist in 2022, MVA’s Volunteer of the Year in 2023, and being chosen as one of only 500 Royal Voluntary Service’s Coronation Champions, also in 2023.

Sam Rapp, the Dyslexic Poet, is a lawyer by trade and if that wasn’t impressive enough in itself, she has been a stalwart of Medway’s creative writing scene for many years. She has performed as The Dyslexic Poet in the UK and internationally, and has won awards for her poetry and plays. She runs many creative writing workshops under the banner of Fun With Words Productions, dedicated to making writing fun for all abilities.

Sam is chair of Dyslexia House Association, Medway and Co-Chair of the disabled staff network for legal services in the public sector. She writes a regular blog for Dyslexia Scotland and has published her first book Rant Dyslexic Me.

Kate Belmonte co-founded and is the director of an award winning local non-profit social enterprise, the Mutual Aid Road Reps, which was created in 2020 to combat loneliness and isolation across the Medway Towns during the pandemic. It continues to expand, offering essential services such as befriending, shop and drops and taking people to appointments.

Self employed since 2007, Kate ran a sign company before specialising in graphic design and website building. She has worked with and for small businesses across the Medway. A keen environmentalist, she has campaigned to protect our green spaces and agricultural land in Rainham, Twydall and on the Hoo Peninsula, and stood as the Green Party candidate in Gillingham and Rainham at the last general election.

We’re honoured to host Sue, Sam and Kate. The event is free, and tea and coffee will be available for a suggested £1 donation. If you have difficulty due to mobility or finance issues attending the hub, please contact Jaye at: community@waldersladehub.org as there is a travel bursary available to people living in Medway.

For the full programme, visit here.

We look forward to seeing you.

Activities, Community News, Events, Patron

Medway Women’s History Month Event: From Suffragettes to the Political Now

The Net Community Hub

Saturday 22nd March 11am-12noon. Doors open 10.15am for refreshments. Tickets can be booked here.

Jennifer Godfrey talks to former Chatham and Aylesford MP, Dame Tracey Crouch, DBE, and current Gillingham and Rainham MP, Naushabah Khan, about the rise of female representation in parliament and what struggles they still faced in the 21st Century, drawing comparisons between them and the early female pioneers.

Jennifer Godfrey lives in West Kent with her husband, two children and dog. She is the author of two non-fiction books, published by Pen & Sword Ltd, entitled ‘Suffragettes of Kent’ and ‘Secret Missions of the Suffragettes – Glass breakers and Safe Houses’. She is currently researching and writing her third book, also about women’s suffrage. Jennifer has enjoyed writing stories since she was a young child and over the years has been involved in many writing courses, groups and projects. 

Dame Tracey Crouch DBE was MP for Chatham and Aylesford for 14 years, 2010-2024. Within that time, Tracey held various posts, including Minister for Sport, Civil Society and Loneliness in 2017. She took a principled stand over the delay to introduce reduced limits on the stakes of fixed odds betting terminals, and resigned the post in 2018.

With a particular focus on older people, Tracey was responsible for implementing the Loneliness Strategy, and held regular Over 55s fairs, where the public could meet service providers and see what was available to them. She said: “From a Member of Parliament perspective you see so many people in the community when they reach crisis point and sadly, they’re not necessarily aware of some of the activities that are out there for them which may have prevented them getting to that crisis point.” Tracey is also the Patron of The Net Community Hub.

Naushabah Khan has been the MP Gillingham and Rainham since July
2024, after serving for a decade as a Medway Councillor. She proudly identifies as a feminist and previously served as a trustee for the Fawcett Society, a leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights. Naushabah has been consistently vocal on issues affecting women, particularly those from diverse communities.

Her commitment to amplifying these voices and addressing systemic inequalities has been a driving force throughout her political career. In Parliament, Naushabah continues to champion policies that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that the concerns of underrepresented communities are brought to the forefront of political discourse.

Get their early for this fascinating discussion. The event is free, although there is a donation ticket. Tea and coffee will be available for a suggested £1 donation. If you have difficulty due to mobility or finance issues attending the hub, please contact Jaye at: community@waldersladehub.org as there is a travel bursary available.

For the full programme, visit here.

We look forward to seeing you.

charity, Community News

We’re hiring!

The Net Community Hub

Are you looking for a rewarding position in an organisation that makes a huge difference to local people?

We are seeking a customer-focused individual for a part-time Assistant Manager position. This role is crucial in providing a warm and welcoming space for our local residents to combat social isolation and loneliness. This is an extremely rewarding role for the right person, who will become part of a close knit community.

Key Details

  • Location: 70 Silverweed Road, Walderslade ME5 0QX
  • Hours: Average 10 hours per week (flexible, ranging from 7-16 hours per week)
  • Salary: £12 per hour
  • Holiday: 5 weeks paid holiday per annum
  • Start Date: December 2nd, 2024

Key Responsibilities

  1. Operational Management
    • Act as premises keyholder and ensure security
    • Manage room setup and maintenance
    • Oversee petty cash and invoicing
  2. Community Engagement
    • Run day-to-day sessions and activities
    • Develop new ideas for community engagement
    • Network with other third-sector organizations
  3. Administration
    • Handle emails and general administrative tasks
    • Maintain and update policies and schedules
    • Manage the charity’s website and social media presence
  4. Team Leadership
    • Manage volunteer keyholders and sessional volunteers
    • Coordinate with the board of Trustees and Project Manager
  5. Fundraising and Event Management
    • Assist with fundraising efforts
    • Participate in community events

Qualifications and Skills

Essential

  • Strong customer service background
  • Empathy and ability to work with vulnerable individuals
  • Initiative, organization, and efficiency
  • Strong leadership skills
  • Flexibility regarding work hours
  • Physical ability to handle furniture and setup tasks

Desirable

  • General administration skills
  • Familiarity with Google Drive, WordPress, X, WhatsApp, and Facebook (training provided).
  • Knowledge of Safeguarding, First Aid, and Health & Safety (training provided)

Working Hours and Conditions

  • Flexible hours, averaging 10 per week plus occasional overtime
  • May include evenings and weekends
  • Must be available for specific dates in 2025: 7-17 May and 2-16 July

Application Process

  1. Submit your application to: community@waldersladehub.org
  2. Application should include:
    • CV
    • Cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Deadline for applications: 4th November Interviews: November

Equal Opportunities

The Net Community Hub is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

For any questions or further information, please contact Jaye at community@waldersladehub.org.

About us

The Net Community Hub (Charity number 1167351) is a small community space in Weedswood, offering a range of sessions, support groups and access to local agencies. Our aim is to benefit vulnerable Walderslade residents, with a particular emphasis on the lonely and isolated of all ages, by providing inclusive recreational opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation and loneliness.

charity, Community News, Health and Wellbeing, Premises, Resources, walt

Local Lifesaver – Defibrillator now installed

The Net Community Hub
The local community attend the launch

A brand new defibrillator was installed outside the hub on Friday 14th June.

The launch at 3:30pm was attended by a choral ensemble from Oakland Primary School, bringing a large crowd together to support this important emergency health resource being established for the immediate community.

The event was also supported by Guy Thompson, who works as a member of NHS ambulance crew but provides emergency support as a volunteer First Responder when not at work. He is offering to run a session at the NET to demonstrate the ease with which this can be used when a cardiac arrest is suspected. The date for this will be shared when it’s been set.

The installation was a culmination of a long campaign by Geoff Walters, a board member of both The Net and WALT, following a successful application to Health and Social Care. Together with funding contributed from Councillors Esther Cook and Eddie Peak, WALT and support from the congregation of St Philips & St James, the defibrillator was publicly launched.

MHS coordinated the installation at The Net, connecting to its electrical supply, and will ensure its ongoing maintenance.

To use the defibrillator, you call 999, who advise a code to open it and give guidance for use.

Oaklands School pupils sang ‘You’ve got a friend in me’

Activities, Community News

Want to Learn How To Make Podcasts?

The Net Community Hub

This is your chance to learn how to produce and launch your own podcasts, as everything you ever wanted to know about podcasts is coming to the Hub across five Wednesday nights.

The sessions start on Wednesday 21st February at 4.30pm to 6.30pm and will run every Wednesday until 13th March, when the final session will finish at 6pm. Cost is £112.50 for the whole course, which can be paid in advance in full, or in 3 x instalments of £30 on the night, with a final payment of £22.50. 

You’re in very safe hands with your tutor, Kieran Poole. He has produced at BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Kent and Absolute Radio. Kieran has presented an award-winning radio show, a number of podcasts and is a stand-up comedian.

The cost of the five 90 minute sessions £112.50 per person, and you can book and pay in advance, or pay £22.50 on the night. If you’re unable to make any of the sessions, there will be a catch up zoom.

The only equipment required is your own laptop and wired earphones/headphones to each session. To book, email community@walderslade.hub.org.

charity, Community News, Volunteers

Brainstormz! Volunteer Sue is crowned as a Coronation Champion!

The Net Community Hub

We are thrilled that one of our star volunteers, Sue Bulpin, has been selected as one of the 500 official Coronation Champions.

Sue lives with Functional Neurological Disorder but in spite of this, she runs a peer support group called Brainstormz! at the Net Community Hub on Saturday afternoons, for people with similar brain conditions and injuries. Sue supports her group with art therapies and by sharing advice, and provides a warm and welcoming space for those like herself, who tended to “hit a wall” at the weekend.

Commenting on becoming a Coronation Champion, Sue said: ”I’m amazed that I’ve got picked to go through – things like that don’t happen to me! It’s second nature what I do, I just enjoy helping people and giving back to the community, seeing people smile. I’m proud of what I’ve done and am excited to go to the celebration event. I’m proud of what the people I’ve supported have achieved, that gives me a lot of satisfaction.” 

The Coronation Champions Awards, launched by Royal Voluntary Service and supported by Her Majesty The Queen Consort, is all about celebrating the work of extraordinary volunteers across the UK. 

A total of 500 volunteers have been selected as Coronation Champions and will receive an official Coronation Champions pin badge, a signed certificate from Their Majesties, and an invite to one of the Coronation Celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party.

Huge congratulations to our Sue, who is off this weekend to the concert at Windsor Castle (we’ve never seen her so excited!) and will be proudly wearing her new pin badge. And quite possibly a new hat, shoes, coat … 😀

Find out more about the awards here: https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteering/coronation-champions-awards/

Community News, walderslade together, walt

It’s beginning to look a lot like normal

The Net Community Hub

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.

Community News, Resources, Support Services, Volunteers, walderslade together, walt

Our contingency plan for COVID19

The Net Community Hub

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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.

charity, fundraising, kent messenger

The KM Brain and Brawn Triathlon Challenge – DONE!

The Net Community Hub

 

It’s been quite a year, and with the help of the Medway Messenger, we’ve raised over £900, with our manager Jaye taking part in three events, which qualified her for the Brain and Brawn Triathlon Challenge.

Dominic Comins from the KM Charity Team called in to the hub to present Jaye with her certificate and commemorative mug (she does love a free, themed mug).

Jaye says: “It’s been an enormously satisfying year. The support of the KM Media Group and KM Charity Team – in a year in which we were able to raise a lot of money and get lots done – has helped to raise awareness in a way we simply couldn’t have done on our own.

“For me personally, it’s been a wonderful opportunity to raise funds individually by taking part in the Brain and Brawn Challenge.

“Things seem to have really snowballed, with us gaining such valuable support from lots of different quarters.”

KM Charity Team acting general manager Karen Brinkman said: “Many, many congratulations to Jaye on completing our triathlon challenge.

“This is a significant achievement, and she should be proud of what she has accomplished over the year.”

Booking is now open for the KM Charity Team’s 2020 challenge events.

Jaye also recently picked up the 2019 KM Charity Mark on behalf of the hub, at a celebratory event in Ashford.

Jaye KM Forum Charity Mark 2019