WATCH SPRING NEWSLETTER |
| Welcome to WATCH’s Spring newsletter! |
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| In the last 3 months since our last newsletter there has been a lot of activity at WATCH with new courses, grants, staff, and volunteers coming on board. You can learn more about all the great things that have been happening in the below newsletter but first I wanted to just highlight a few. After great feedback from our members about the Pathways to Learning forum, I am pleased to say that we now have secured funding for a further 6 months thanks to Somerset Community Foundation. On top of this we have confirmed additional funding from Somerset Skills and Learning to deliver a two-week course around anxiety coming out of lockdown, after being requested by our members. Alongside this SS&L have funded a four week course of workshops aimed at organisations and community groups to learn more about peer support – ‘What is Peer support’ and how it helps us build relationships in our community. WATCH has also formed a new Peer Contact Volunteer team who will ring around attendees waiting for courses to start, offering peer support while they wait. This is a great initiative and it’s something we have wanted to do for a while. However, it is now possible with the recent influx of volunteers and staff WATCH has received thanks to the efforts of Leonie and her team. Our peer provision team have also seen some changes too. Unfortunately for us Fiona left WATCH earlier in the month to start a new role with the NHS. To help fill this gap the team are in the final stages of taking on a new Peer Support Connections Coordinator in the Sedgemoor area, with more to come. Reflecting back, it’s been amazing to see how much WATCH has grown in the last 3 months, let alone the last year! Despite the ongoing pandemic WATCH has been able to grow rapidly while staying true to its core values. This is no easy feat and it has only been possible thanks to WATCH’s amazing team and their dedication. From Julie and the board of directors we hope you and your families are well and we look forward to seeing you in person one day soon. Stay safe! Andrew – WATCH Director |
| Inner Blue Sky Workshop |
| WATCH alongside Recovery College hosted a free four week online course to discuss the Inner Blue Sky wellbeing concept.These sessions provided an opportunity to reflect on the true nature of thoughts and feelings. When we understand how the mind works and we learn to tune in to our inner wisdom, our common sense shows us simple, practical ways to navigate through change and challenges. |
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| Co Op Funding – We need your help! |
| We are happy to announce that WATCH has successfully reapplied to this year’s Co Op funding round. This means that if you shop in Co Op and register WATCH as your chosen charity, for every purchase you make over the next 12 months the Co-Operative will donate money to Chard WATCH. If you are a regular or occasional shopper at the Co Op and would like to nominate Chard WATCH as your charity of choice please click on the image below and follow the instructions to become a member. Funds raised through this initiative will go towards organising outdoor activities for our members to help reduce the sense of loneliness and isolation during the ongoing pandemic. Thank you in advance for your support. |
| Make It Click |
| WATCH has been fortunate enough to receive funding from Make it Click who offer free online resources to help improve your digital skills. For the next 5 weeks WATCH supporters like you and your friends and family can sign up free with WATCH. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in learning a new skill online please get in contact with Abby at gabriellewallbridge@watchproject.org.uk and she will be able to help you sign up. |
Thank You!
A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone at Combe St Nicholas Church and Inner Wheel Chard for your recent donations. It is only through your kindness, and the generosity of others like you, that we are able to continue helping isolated individuals in the Chard area.
