Category Archives: Uncategorized

News from the Recorder Group

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Membership   The Recorder Group has been meeting successfully on a socially distanced basis at their new venue of Lace Hill Community Centre since the summer of 2021.  During that time we have welcomed some additional members.  We now feel that we have reached the maximum number that can be safely accommodated while socially distanced.  Reluctantly we have decided, on a temporary basis, not to accept new members until the Covid situation improves.  A waiting list has been established.  Prospective new members are invited to contact the Group Coordinator for further information.  It remains the case that, if there is a demand, an informal group of beginners/ returners to playing may be set up on an alternative day.

Live Performances!  Members of the Recorder Group gave four Christmas Concerts in December.  A small group made a very well received return to Gracewell Care Home.  Another small group enjoyed providing music to accompany the Tree Festival at St Edburg’s Church in Bicester.  Diners at the St Peter and St Paul Christmas Lunch sang along with enthusiasm and a large group enjoyed entertaining visitors at Stowe.

Volunteers Required

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Like Buckingham and District U3A Bucks Mind are looking for volunteers.

Given the success we are have  I wish them luck!

However

Bucks Mind
www.bucksmind.org.uk

Are a mental health charity in Bucks and
you will no doubt be aware of how we have all taken a bash to our
mental health over the last 18 months and how small things can
sometimes help.

At the start of the pandemic we were overwhelmed with volunteers but
this has sadly dropped off as life has returned to a new normal.
Volunteers are crucial to the running of the services, particularly
our befriending service which has a large number of new referrals that
we are currently unable to support.

Befriending at Bucks Mind involves meeting or calling and supporting
someone once a week for around 6 months. We are a mental health
charity so our clients will usually have some anxiety and low mood and
possibly other challenges too.  Befriending is about providing a
boundaried, supportive, short term relationship to build confidence
and self-esteem and reduce isolation. But it may just be about having
a chat and a cup of tea! We work with anyone over 18years and try to
use the volunteers skills and experience to benefit the service user.
This can be as beneficial to the volunteer as the client and giving
something back can be hugely powerful and teach us a lot about
ourselves.

I was hoping that this info/email could be disseminated perhaps in any
news bulletins that you produce to help in our recruitment of
volunteers. I would also be happy to talk to people about what is
involved if that would help.

I have attached our application form in the first instance and when we
receive this back we then contact the volunteer to discuss the next
steps. These will include a first meeting to get to know them,
completion of a DBS, request for references, booking them on to a
training session and then this will be followed up with another
meeting to check in and ensure they feel comfortable and confident to
volunteer with us. We offer regular training and development sessions
and ongoing support if volunteers need it. We recognize that our
volunteers’ mental health is as important as the mental health of
the people we support and we are here for everyone.

Befriending Leaflet (for Volunteers & Referrers) [2] -this link to a
leaflet on our website should work?

I appreciate your support at this time and please let me know if there
is a better contact or if you have any other ideas.

Thanks so much

Kind regards,

Vicky Royal

Team Lead for Befriending Services

Buckinghamshire Mind

07930 801681

www.bucksmind.org.uk [1]

Working Hours: 9.30am-3.30pm Tuesday -Thursday