Timmy Day, New Team Member

Joining the team this month is Timmy Day, our own Roving Reporter. It is his job to report back from all his adventures from across the UK and Europe. His mission is to bring to you his exciting experiences and fav pictures so that those who are unable to travel themselves can share in his adventures and marvel at his photographic skills. Unfortunately, he usually creates mayhem somewhere along the way as he is partial to the odd drop or two of the local wines or a (large!) piece of cheese, and always manages to get himself into trouble!

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His adventures are reported on the charity's monthly newsletters. To read more about Timmy click here...

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Spring Countryside Show

The Men's Shed at the Country Spring Show has now become a regular event and advertises the facility to those who previously were unaware of its existence.

 

This excellent venue is a great place where people (guys as well as gals) can come together to use and improve their woodworking skills, all in a friendly and socially welcoming roof of the shed near the Friends of Stour Connect centre.

Hall & Woodhouse Donation

Friends of Stour Connect received a generous donation from Hall & Woodhouse Brewery of a cheque for £1,250 of Blandford from their Community Chest Fund. This is to go towards the refurbishment of the kitchen at our centre’s “Café Connect.”

"Give a Little Love"

The Give A Little Love scheme run by Waitrose & Partners Supermarkets arranges every three months to give a donation to one of the local charities. In March it was our turn as we were chosen to win the donation, based on our popularity of shoppers, and Waitrose awarded us with a gift of £250!

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We would like to express a HUGE thank you to Waitrose for their kind and generous donation, without such donations the charity would not be able to offer the services and support it provides to disadvantaged people in the local community.

Charity Excellence Award

Friends of Stour Connect achieved the accolade of Charity Excellence Award This is down to the hard work put in by our volunteers, part time staff and our Trustees and Patrons, and also to our partnerships with Volunteer Centre Dorset, Stour Connect, Autism Unlimited and others

Parkinson's Dance

The commencement of our new event, the Parkinson's/Wheelchair, Dance, which began on the 20th January to run initially for 6 consecutive weeks all in aid to get those with particular mobility difficulties to improve their mobility and, at the same time, to make new friends. More info click  here...

Winter Warmers

The commencement of our 'Winter Warmers' appeal to provide warm winter clothing and bedding for vulnerable people in our local community.

Re-opening of Café and Shop

The Community Café and the shop, Twice But Nice charity shop, re-opens on the 11th August for Tues, Weds and Thurs only

Lockdown #1 Eases

The centre begin to re-open as lockdown eases and more of the staff are allowed back in. The Men's Shed Stour re-opens on the 30th July

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Also during this month a new project called SCATE commences for two weeks offering young people the chance to gain work related skills and participate in volunteering.

The Beginning of the Coronavirus Outbreak

Friends of Stour Connect responds to National Government guidelines and closes due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Most projects and facilities come to and temporary closure, Only a handful of staff keep the centre ticking over.

New Charity Shop Opens!

Our new charity shop 'Twice But Nice' opens selling bric-a-brac, books, kitchenware, garden ware, children's toys and plants as well as all the handmade products made by the guys in the Men's Shed. J's Emporium is adjacent to the Community Café. To see some of our products click here

Friends of Stour Connect Facebookk

Launch of Friends of Stour Connect new Face Book page. See @thefriendsofstourconnect

Hydrotherapy Pool
Following campaign to re-open the Hydrotherapy Pool at Stourconnect this autumn was achieved.

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Friends Of Stourconnect achieved funding from:

William Williams Trust: to fund the rental on new larger premises for Mens Shed Stour. The popularity of this project means that we have outgrown the premises we were originally in.

Stur Quest Enterprises to fund a new Dementia (Specialist) Service based in our Community Cafe, and a gardening project.

National Lottery Awards for all to fund staffing costs to consolidate the growth of the charity and its projects and enable the trustees to further develop the charity.

First Scan (Stourconnect Additional Needs) Festival announced in conjunction with Tricuro Stourconnect.

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Lottery Funding

Full charity registration achieved by Friends of Stourconnect.

Funding recieved via Peoples' Postcode Lottery for the Connect Sports Project.

Hydrotherapy Pool Closure

Closure of the Sturminster Newton Stourconnect Hydrotherapy Pool announced.

Immediately the 'Save Our Hydrotherapy Pool' Campaign commenced by Friends of Stourconnect with help from Blackmore Vale Magazine.

New Funding from ASDA

Process of Christian Registration started.

Funding received (from AFC Bournemouth and ASDA).

Meals-on-Wheels

First Meals On Wheels orders accepted and delivered. Funds received Waitrose and Serco. For more info on the service click here...