Brunswick Centre Newsletter

Page 2
Brunswick Centre Newsletter
Evening Drop-In Consultation – Snapshot of the feedback
Caption describing picture
or graphic.
the majority
of those who
had
attended,
the
experience
was
described as
either good
or excellent
Fifty two of you took part in the
consultation and we would firstly like
to thank you all for your participation.
The winners of the prize draw
have been informed.
Out of those who took part roughly
half had attended the evening dropin,
and half had never attended.
There were a variety of reasons why
people hadn’t attended including
people stating that they didn’t feel
the need to or were not comfortable
with group type situations. For the
majority of those who had attended,
the experience was described as
either good or excellent. Almost
everyone, whether they had attended
or not, agreed that focus and activities
were beneficial.
We asked specific questions about
the timing, day, frequency and location
of the evening group. The majority
of people, whether they had attended
or not, were satisfied with
the current arrangements. When we
asked further about individual preferences,
about half responded. The
preferences were so varied that
there was no clear majority. Some
people who attend the evening dropin
regularly had asked for the day to
Allotment Project
be changed to Wednesday so that
it could link in with yoga at the
Centre, and so that sessions
were not lost as a result of bank
holidays.
We asked if it would make a difference
to people if the drop-in
stopped running and over half of
respondents said that it would
not. This was largely because
they do not currently attend,
however a number of those
thought it may have an impact on
those who do attend. Important
for those who said it would make
a difference was support from
others, being able to talk in a
safe environment and share with
people with the same condition.
Over the last year the number of
attendees at the evening drop-in
has varied and we to consider
whether this is an effective and
economically viable use of available
resources.
For now, we have decided to
continue with the evening group
drop-in but, as suggested, will
change the day to Wednesday so
that it links to the yoga group.
The yoga starts at 4.30pm and runs
until 5.30pm. There will be a break
from 5.30pm until 6pm during which
people can stay at the Centre. We will
not be providing food but people are
welcome to bring in food to eat during
the break. The evening drop-in will
run from 6pm – 8pm and will have the
same focus and have complementary
therapy tasters although we will be
planning in more social type activities
as suggested in the feedback from the
consultation.
Please note that if you attend yoga,
you do not have to stay on for the
evening drop-in and you can attend
the evening group drop-in without
attending the yoga.
If you would like to know more about
the Evening Drop-In, please contact
Steve, Dionne or Cath on the office
number or their work mobile.
Our allotment project started six
months ago. Much of the work done by
members of the allotment project
over the last six months has been
tidying the plot to get it into a position
where planting can begin. The plot
was overgrown and full of weeds as it
had not been tended to for a while
before the previous tenant gave it up.
It was too late in the season to be
able to plant but there was an existing
crop of fruit to be harvested – apples
and a variety of berries. Some of the
crop was given to the Centre for
destitute or people on low incomes
and was also used as a healthy snack
at the evening drop-in. The members
of the allotment project also hosted
an evening for our service users.
Having cleared and tidied the plot,
the next step for members is to
agree plans for planting. This will
include planting fruit, vegetables
and herbs and making decisions
about what to do with the produce.
Service users have spoken about
the health benefits of spending time
outside and in the ‘fresh air’ and of
the exercise that working on the
allotment provides them with. One
person fed back that he finds that
the time he spends on the allotment
helps him to ‘calm down’. Another
has commented that it provides him
with the opportunity to get out and
meet others. One person said that it
provides some focus in that it gives
him something to do. On a more
general level our service users have
also benefitted from produce harvested
at the allotment. The allotment has
shown how well the service users have
worked together and they have developed
a sense of camaraderie, commitment
and also pride in their achievements.
The allotment group is looking for
more members to join this year. You
do not have to have experience of
gardening, just an interest and willingness
to get involved and help out. If you
are interested, please contact Steve
on the office number or his work mobile
07976 402198. Steve can arrange
to take you to view the plot and to
meet existing members.