11/02/2021

Hello

The Reach centres currently remain closed to volunteers due to the pandemic, however we are constantly reviewing the situation and hope to begin a phased reintroduction of volunteers in the near future. Please keep a look out for our survey being sent out via email next week regarding a return to volunteering at Reach.

Despite the snow, the centres have remained very busy, with the staff providing a wide range of classes for the clients. It is great to see the clients putting so much enthusiasm into a wide range of activities and be so keen to have their photographs taken to show you the things they have made. They are missing their volunteers very much.

Reach Mansfield – Have been baking, learning about sea creatures alongside performing arts and Technology Tuesday!

Flower Pod Newark have been working hard clearing and preparing the site for Spring. Thanks to a grant from Active Notts and Sport England, this week we also launched our “Walk & Grow” project, where the group met for the first time to plan their activities for the coming weeks. The project will help people with learning disabilities to learn about the benefits of walking, build physical skills and increase confidence.

Over at Reach Newark, the clients took part in Art & Crafts, Cooking, Music and Fitness

At Flower Pod Southwell clients have been learning all about garden birds have been the theme! After a bird quiz they took part in the RSPB’s Big garden birdwatch, identified birds by their songs, did some bird related crafts and finally went on a lovely walk to see if they could find more birds

Client volunteer Tom has also been busy at work in the wildlife garden at Flower Pod Southwell. He’s started a project building a dead hedge from weaved willow and waste wood. It will make a nice habitat for birds. Eventually it will also act as a barrier around the pond, so we can get into the space without the risk of an unfortunate topple. Tom even gave a presentation to other clients about how dead hedges work. Thanks to Newark and Sherwood District Council and the Woodland Trust, we’re also planning some new mixed hedgerow at both Flower Pod sites. And we had another visit from Mark Speck from Notts Wildlife Trust, to advise on what to do with our big pond to make it more manageable. So, lots of exciting work to get more wildlife friendly and open up engaging activities for our clients. We just need a bird hide and some binoculars!

We are delighted to announce we have 5 places for the Virgin Money Virtual London Marathon on 3rd October. Would you like to take on the challenge and raise money for Reach? This is a virtual event and can be completed within 12 hours by walking or running the distance. Everyone taking part will receive a medal and t shirt. If you would like one of our places, please email sarah.cobb@reachuk.org

A big thanks to Lincolnshire Co-op for raising £486 to support our work.

Once again thank you all for your continued support of Reach, we really appreciate your help and look forward to seeing you at the centres again soon.

If you have any queries or questions about volunteering at Reach, please do not hesitate to contact me.

All the Best to you and yours

Wayne