What are the needs of our community? It started as a place to come and to gather. A building. The next stage was having activities to draw people in and build them in. It then became increasingly clear through the pandemic that there were so many local people who were struggling with their mental health, and loneliness and isolation were making it worse. The "go to" organisations were stretched beyond breaking point and we wanted to do something. A hope was kindled that one day we would have our own mental health worker able to both meet the initial needs and then sign post them to other areas of the Centre's activities.
And so we started to raise money. A couple of golf days. 10 miles of the Great South Run. Generous donations. Advert created. Interviews held. Beth in post! The hope turned into reality!
Creative minds
Much of what Beth acheives is through 1:1 time, but she has started a Creative Minds craft group on a Friday, 10-12, drawing in a vibrant group of people.