Summer Newsletter 2024
- daisydady
- Jul 1, 2024
- 16 min read
We've have so much to tell you about what we've been up to since our last newsletter in Spring, as well as some interesting projects and events happening this summer!
Contents
What's been happening?
April
May
June
What's coming up?
Ongoing services
Donations
Thanks to our donors, funders & supporters, we have received some amazing donations this April, that contribute to a range of different services at The Social Action Hub!
(These are our most recent since our Spring Newsletter)
Thank you to:
Sarah Kelley, Thomas Farr Charity, Hubbubs, John from Blidfest, Ravenshead & Blidworth Rotary Club, Co-op, Rainworth Co-op Funeral Care, NCC Fire Service, J N Derbyshire, Newark & Sherwood District Council, Karen Brogden, Beryl Green, Alison Heslop, Holiday Activities and Food, Polly Teach, John Williams, Rainworth Tesco, Darcey-Scott Spencer, West Notts College, Miner2Major, Rob Graham & Walking Football Club, VIY & Young Volunteers, Nottinghamshire County Council, John Williams, Rosie Bell, Sam Brownley, Holiday Activities and Food (HAF), Local Giving, Mansfield 103.2, Malk Hall, Dunromin on the Hill - Paws Therapy Dogs, Scout Hut, Newark & Sherwood Community Lottery, Pets at Home, The Lurcher Pub.
All of your amazing contributions are greatly appreciated!
April 2024
April Playscheme
This April Playscheme, we've had an absolute blast! Thank you to all who came and took part in our awesome sessions, we hope you all had fun! Our session themes this Playscheme were: World Autism Day, Easter, Party Day, Rainworth Recyclers, Messy Madness, A Trip to Neverland & Food Fun!
The First week of April Playscheme had been kindly funded by Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)! Which meant we were able to provide free places and dinners for all children in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals or an EHCP.
Forest School
We had a fantastic time at Forest School throughout April Playscheme on Thursdays! The first session was themed around the 'wonderful woodlands' and entailed magic wands, potions & spells with the fairy of enchantments & using tools to make some fairy furniture. The second session was 'survival kit' themed, and covered topics such as making fires with the kelly kettle, building dens, making mini rafts, a blind sensory trail challenge & survival themed games.
Community Litter Pick
What a turn out we had at our Spring Litter Pick! We had almost 30 volunteers coming to help tidy up the streets of Rainworth, and collected around 67 bags of rubbish & cleared out the large objects blocking the stream (down pit lane)! That is just incredible.
All volunteers had a tasty bacon / egg cob as a thank you!
Revive - Online Charity Shop
Thank you to all who have ordered from our online charity shop! It has been amazing to see the orders come through from something that was once merely a suggestion a few months ago!
This shop features products that would've gone to landfill if we didn't receive them, at very low prices compared to their retail price.
Doesn't it sound great!?
There are 2 ways to join out online shop...
Scan the QR Code and sign up with your WIX account/sign up. Then press 'Shop Online'.
Download 'Spaces for WIX' and and sign up with your WIX account/sign up. The use the invite code: ACTIONHUB
Visit from ITV & Claire Ward for East Midlands Mayor
On Monday 22nd April 2024, we had an exciting visit from ITV film crew and Claire Ward for East Midlands Mayor, to take them through The Social Action Hub and all of the projects & services we provide for our community. This endeavour will air on ITV, more information to be released soon.
April Youth Club Sessions
Under 12's Youth Club
In April, we enjoyed some great themed sessions at Rainworth & Blidworth Youth Club, such as: World Art Day, Earth Day, The Time Capsule Projects & St George's Day.
For a more in-depth session-by-session breakdown, please click here
Does this look like something you child would love? Book below
Over 12's Youth Club
As many of you know, our over 12's youth club sessions are more laid back and youth-led. We encourage the young people of our community to let us know what they would like our BYO Youth Club to run like, which most of the time is a safe, entertaining, relaxed environment where they can thrive. We have conversations and informative discussions about dugs & alcohol, sexual health, the environment, healthy eating mental health & wellbeing and careers/further education. Here's some pictures from our sessions in April:
May 2024
Walk & Talk
What a wonderful walk & talk we had this May! Members of the community came together for a stroll up and around Strawberry Hill Heath Nature Reserve in Rainworth. We had great conversations about the history of Strawberry Hill - kindly told to us by John Durkin, and we all made a new friend along the way!
We finished the 14,000 steps with a delicious Greggs! Thanks to everyone who came. Our next Walk & Talk will be on 17th August click here to find out more
May Carboot Sale & Raffle
The sun came out for our May Carboot Sale! Although we know many of you were on holiday, we still had a fantastic day. Since our first Carboot Sale in January, we've made a few changes! Tea's & Coffees are FREE and we now have 3 raffles at every Carboot Sale - Toys & Games, Beauty and Sweets & Chocolates! Raffle tickets are just £1.
Would you like to come to our next carboot sale? Click here to find out more
Sherwood Voices Project
The Sherwood Voices Project is complete & ready for your ears! Have a listen of the stories from people living or previously lived in Rainworth while having a walk around, learning about the history behind some of our well-known village landmarks 📍
You can find the Audio in a variety of forms:
Sherwood Voices is a walking project based on stories from the towns and villages of the Sherwood Forest area. Influenced by the local Victorian naturalist Joseph Whitaker, Jenny has decided to investigate the local habitat. Meeting people along the way, who share stories from the past and the present, she is able to piece together a new understanding of the place she calls home. This walk is around 2 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. It starts and ends near the Rufford Colliery memorial on Kirklington Road. You can download the route instructions and map below and print it out to take with you on the walk, although the instructions on the audio are very clear and – as long as you start in the right place – you shouldn’t get lost. (If the map is currently visible on your device you can zoom in and out using the – and + keys above it).
We’d love to hear your experience! Well done to everyone involved in the creation of this project 💛
We are doing this walk at our next Walk & Talk! Click here to find out more
Get Into Gardening
We've had 6 weeks so far getting into gardening with Emma from ATTFE (break on 22nd May & 29th May). Lot's more to come from this course, stay tuned for some pictures of the lovely work they'll be doing in The Social Action Hub garden over the next month.
May Youth Club Sessions
Under 12's Youth Club
We've had a great month at under 12's youth club! Lots of fantastic activities have been taking place, covering the themes: May the Force, Rainworth Bake off, Team Building, Anti-Bullying, Rags to Riches (upcycling) and Fun with Food.
For a more in-depth session-by-session breakdown, please click here
Does this look like something you child would love? Book below
Over 12's Youth Club
As many of you know, our over 12's youth club sessions are more laid back and youth-led. We encourage the young people of our community to let us know what they would like our BYO Youth Club to run like, which most of the time is a safe, entertaining, relaxed environment where they can thrive. We have conversations and informative discussions about dugs & alcohol, sexual health, the environment, healthy eating mental health & wellbeing and careers/further education. Here's some pictures from our sessions in May:
For a more in-depth session-by-session breakdown, please click here
West Notts College Visit to Over 12's Youth Club
On 21st May 2024, Lewis from West Notts College joined us at Over 12's to give some advice and guidance to young people who are unsure of their next steps after secondary school.
Lewis has offered to arrange a site visit to West Notts College for a group of students who are interested in coming up to West Notts and wanted to see the facilities on offer, or even for the ones who are slightly unsure on where to go after school! A tour might give them that excitement to start making decisions for their future.
Stay tuned for more information on the site visit!
June 2024
Lurcher Pub Fundraiser
On Thursday 6th June 2024 we held our first Games night at The Lurcher Pub.
We managed to raise an amazing £155!
Thanks to The Lurcher and Emma for helping us raise this money and being amazing supporters of The Social Action Hub.
Don't worry if you missed this one, we have some more games nights booked in for:
4th July 2024
1st August 2024
We hope to see you there!
Come and join in on a quiz, bingo & sticky 13's - all raising funds for a great cause!
Games start at 7:30pm
VIY Project - Forest School Hub
Thanks to VIY (Volunteer It Yourself), we now have a brand new Forest School Hub to run our Forest School sessions!
These amazing young volunteers received qualifications in areas such as woodwork and painting while building this area with adults in the trade.
We are now able to run Forest School more frequently, for no cost & can offer longer sessions with more activities!
This area will be available as an outdoor wellbeing space and will also be available to hire soon at our standard rates.
Funded by Newark & Sherwood District Council Community Grants and Morrisons
Want to see the final product!?
We are holding an opening ceremony for our Forest School Hub! Click here to read more
Recruitment for Playscheme Volunteers
This summer we are on the look out for young people wanting experience in youth work to join our team this Playscheme. There are many benefits from volunteering with us, such as:
Goodie Bag
Gift Card
Skills & Experience working with children
Support with your CV
Potential Apprenticeship in youth work (skill based)
We have now recruited 6 volunteers to receive the opportunities mentioned above, and to become a part of our Summer Playscheme team!
Pet First Aid
Thank you Dunromin on the Hill - Paws Therapy Dogs for coming to deliver pet first aid last week it was a really informative & fun course. They ran 2 sessions on 17th & 22nd June.
We managed to raise £105 for you thanks to everyone who attended!
Please look out for our post about Dunronin on The Hill Therapy Dog’s visits to The Chatty Cafe and all confirmed dates for 2024
Too Good to Waste Pop-Up Shop
On selected Fridays when we have excess food from The Social Supermarket (usually fruit & veg and bread & pastries), we hold a pop up shop. This month we've been able to open the pop-up shop on 2 occasions! Anyone can come and pay just £1 for as much as you like.
Podcast with Miner2Major
We have recently done a podcast with Miner2Major which covers some of our core services, new projects and some interesting things you might not already know 😊 worth a listen!
Thanks Helen for having us on, it was a lovely recording studio with a great sound technician team.
Live on Mansfield 103.2
A few weeks ago we had a visit from Malcolm Hall, he put us in contact with lots of new leads for us to promote our work, including Mansfield 103.2! Daisy, Amy & Ross said a few words about our involvement in the community and the type of provision we run.
June Youth Club Sessions
Under 12's Youth Club
We've had a great month at under 12's youth club! Lots of fantastic activities have been taking place, covering the themes: 5 Senses, Father's Day, Loneliness Awareness, National Rainforest Day, Ocean's Day, Pixar Day.
For a more in-depth session-by-session breakdown, please click here
Does this look like something you child would love? Book below
Over 12's Youth Club
As many of you know, our over 12's youth club sessions are more laid back and youth-led. We encourage the young people of our community to let us know what they would like our BYO Youth Club to run like, which most of the time is a safe, entertaining, relaxed environment where they can thrive. We have conversations and informative discussions about dugs & alcohol, sexual health, the environment, healthy eating mental health & wellbeing and careers/further education. Here's some pictures from sessions this month:
For a more in-depth session-by-session breakdown, please click here
Forest School Opening Ceremony
If you haven't already, please read the information about VIY and their involvement with building our Forest School area.
To celebrate their amazing achievement and our future opportunities, we're holding an opening ceremony where you can get a peek at our brand new area!
The opening ceremony will be held on Friday 26th July between 2pm-4pm.
There will be free food & drinks and forestry activities.
Held at The Social Action Hub, Kirklington Road, Rainworth, NG21 0JR
Summer Litter Pick
We'll be back for another litter pick this summer, on 14th July.
This time it will be held the day after Renfest (Rainworth Festival) which is a day for hundreds of members of the community of all ages to have some fun, play games, listen to live music, browse stalls, and have enjoy some tasty food.
We will start at 10am, and would assume it should only take an hour or less to clean Kirklington Road & surrounding businesses
All equipment is provided!
Everyone welcome
July Carboot Sale
Wohoo it'll be our 4th Carboot Sale this year in July, what a great experience it has been!
£1 Entry fee... but we have lots on offer for free, including: goodie bags for kids, a bouncy castle and free teas & coffees.
Make sure you hold onto your pre-loved items if you missed the last sale in June.
£5 per stall, please email info@socialactionhub.com for a stall
Did you know, if you are returning stall holder you get a 50% discount on all future bookings? What a deal! Only £2.50 per stall
Raffles are available! Get a chance to win either: Beauty, Chocolates & Sweets or Toys & Games hampers for just £1 a ticket!
Currently, we have August's Carboot Sale set on 3rd August , however we're aware many of you can't make that date. Please vote on this poll to help us decide whether we should reschedule the date or cancel August's Carboot Sale.
August Carboot Sale Poll
Cancel August Carboot
Move the date to 24th August
Move the date to 31st August
Walk, Talk & Listen - Sherwood Voices Special
We're back with another walk & talk... with a twist!
This time we're going to complete the walk from the Sherwood Voices Project and listen to the audio that tells the stories of those involved while walking.
This event will be held on 17th August 2024 at 10am.
To find out more about The Sherwood Voices Project, please click here
Please book below as places are limited!
Spray Paint Project with ImageSkool
This August, Imageskool are returning for another project! Back in 2022, Imageskool came to help us decorate the Rainworth Skate Park by designing and spray painting with young people from the community.
This time, we will be spray painting the main building! We'd like to in invite all young people to gt involved in this opportunity.
A design session will be held at Over 12's Youth Club on 20th August between 5pm-7pm.
Spray painting will take place on 22nd between 10am-3pm and 23rd August between 10am-12pm
July Youth Club Sessions
We've had so much fun at youth club this June, and there's still much more to come in July! Sessions are for ages 5-12 and are FREE! All children have access to our Youth Community Fridge which provides young people with free food and snacks.
Blidworth Youth Club - Mondays 4:30pm-6:30pm at Blidworth Oaks Primary School
Session Dates:
1st July, 8th July, 15th July, 22nd July
Rainworth Youth Club - Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:30pm at The Social Action Hub
Session Dates:
3rd July, 10th July, 17th July, 24th July
To see our most recent timetables and sessions, please click here to see our Facebook Posts.
Book below:
Summer Playscheme, Forest School & HAF Funding
We know you are all anticipating the release of Summer Playscheme information & timetables, including HAF Funding & Forest School.
Our timetable and booking links will be out by Friday 12th July, available on our Facebook Page and WIX app. For the meantime, here are our confirmed dates:
Summer Playscheme: 29th July - 23rd August
HAF Funded dates (FREE for benefits related Free School Meals or EHCP): 5th August - 16th August
(Non-funded dates are still available for HAF Discounts for £5 all day)
Forest School: 1st August, 8th August, 15th August, 22nd August
(8th August & 15th August are HAF Funded and 1st August & 22nd August are still available for HAF Discounts for £5 all day)
HAF Passports are available, which we will keep hold of throughout Playscheme. Your child will receive a sticker for each time they attend and can be exchanged for a small reward once the stickers have been filled in fully.
HAF Funded dates are always highlighted on our timetable in purple. To see April Playscheme's timetable and HAF information for reference, please click here
For session times & standard rates, please click here
The Chatty Cafe
Every Thursday during term time, the community gather for a free cuppa and a chat at The Chatty Cafe from 10am-12pm.
The Chatty Cafe aims to reduce loneliness and food waste.
Everyone is welcome!
"A simple conversation can make someone go from feeling invisible to visible"
Once a month at the end of the month, we have a visit from Dunromin on The Hill Therapy Dogs. These special pups are registered pet blood donors and therapy dogs! Paddy or Gunnie will be visiting The Chatty Cafe again on 4th July 2024
The Social Supermarket
The Social Supermarket is a donation-based low cost food club open to everyone (no eligibility requirements), that tackles food poverty & prevents food waste.
It is £1 to become a member and you can chose between a £4.50 or a £6 basket.
New items in every week! Including: Pet Bank, Baby Bank & Revive items
A £6 shop is equivalent to £45 in Aldi (price matched Jan 2023), and provides food from a range of supermarkets such as M&S, Tesco, CO-OP, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsburrys, Nando's, KFC, and more!
How do I join?
Just come to The Social Supermarket and fill out a membership form, then you can shop and choose the items you would like!
Opening Hours: Monday 10am-2pm, Wednesday 12pm-3pm & 4pm-7pm, Thursday 10am-2pm
To see what's in store, and for general information/updates, join our Facebook Group
Youth Community Fridge
The Youth Community Fridge is a free service for young people accessing our Over 12's or Under 12's Youth Club that provides food & snacks, which can be accessed at any time during their youth club session.
The YCF provides food from a range of supermarkets such as M&S, Tesco, CO-OP, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsburrys, Nando's, KFC, and more!
Food includes sandwiches, pasta pots, wraps, ingredients for cooking, fresh fruit & vegetables and tasty pastries & treats.
The Youth Community Fridge co-insides with cooking activities within youth club sessions
Under 12's Youth Club & Playscheme
Youth Club
Youth Club sessions run every Monday & Wednesday during term time, providing children from ages 5-12 with FREE fun & educational themed sessions including different games, arts & crafts and activities every session.
Blidworth Youth Club: Mondays 4:30pm-6:30pm at Blidworth Oaks Primary School, FREE
Rainworth Youth Club: Wednesdays 4:30pm-4:30pm at The Social Action Hub, FREE
Playscheme
Youth-club-style sessions that run from 10am-3pm throughout the school holidays!
£13 All day with lunch provided
£10 All day with packed lunch
£5 Half a day
Free & discounted places for children in receipt of benefit related free school meals (or an EHCP) can be offered where funding is available
To see all upcoming timetables, pictures of previous Youth Club & Playscheme sessions, and general information & updates please click here and follow our Facebook page.
Forest School
On Thursdays during the school holidays, we offer an alternative option to go to Forest School.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth. It is a program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.
Would you like to take a look at upcoming/previous sessions? Click here to find out more.
Over 12's Youth Club
Over 12's Youth Club offers a fun, welcoming and safe environment for young people to have the choice of socialising with friend & playing games, relaxing, accessing 1-2-1 support, and/or participating in youth board projects for the community.
Lots of provision available such as football, movies, discos, cooking sessions, trips, pool, and more!
We have an open door policy, come and go as you please!
C-CARD
C-CARD registration, sexual health and relationship advice available during over 12's sessions. C-CARD Pick ups at any time.
To see what our over 12's have been up to, or for any more information/updates please click here and follow our Facebook Page.
DIY Party Packages
Did you know we hire our building & bouncy castle for parties?
We are offering silver or gold packages with additional 'extras' as a part of a DIY party. Please see poster below for a breakdown of what is included in each package.
£50 Refundable breakage deposit required.
Please note: Bouncy Castle is weather dependable and will not operate in wet weather.
Room Hire
We offer room hire for the whole building or just a room (well-being room, pictures are below) for multi-use purposes. Hires can be throughout the week or at the weekend - if the hire falls on a week day, then this would have to work around our current projects & services and would have staff present in the building during these times (however would not interfere with the hire)
Room Hire Rates: £15 per hour / £10 per hour for charity & good causes
£5 extra for kitchen use
If you are looking to hire, please email info@socialactionhub.com or call 01623 490498 to see availability.
Animal Food Bin
To make our food go even further, we put all of the food no longer fit for human consumption in our 'animal food bins'.
The bins are clearly labelled with their contents 'Bread & Pastries' and 'Fruit & Vegetables'.
Anyone is free to collect food from the animal food bins at the collection times:
Monday - Friday 9am-4pm
The bins are located outside of The Social Supermarket in front of the grey gates.
Counselling Support
We have FREE counselling sessions available on Thursday evenings & Saturday days for a 50 minute slot.
Our counsellor Paul Ainger can support you through up to 12 weeks of sessions. If you'd like to know more about what Paul specialises in, please click here.
Please note: our waitlist is now 4-6 weeks
If you'd like to make a referral, here's the referral form.
Volunteering
We have a range of volunteering opportunities available to suit everyone's needs and availability. Roles can be in support of D of E, Work experience, or general volunteering. You could volunteer in areas such as:
The Chatty Cafe
The Social Supermarket - store assistant
The Social Supermarket - food collector
Youth Club & Playscheme
Community Events (litter picks, carboot sales, fundraising events)
Admin Support
To find out more about the requirements and responsibilities for each role, please contact info@socialactionhub.com or call 01623 490498 to have a discussion.
We are flexible, and will be able to find something that suits you!
Too Good To Waste - Pop Up Shop
On selected Fridays when we have excess food from The Social Supermarket (usually fruit & veg and bread & pastries), we hold a pop up shop.
It is £1 for as much as you like
Available from 9am - 11am
This service is a part of our FoodShare scheme, tackling food poverty and preventing food waste. We try to make all of our food go further, as it is 'too good to waste'!
As the pop up shop is only available on selected days, please join our Facebook Group for updates.
Thank you for reading!
During the months between our newsletters, we will post shorter blogs like this so we can share all of the great things our community has been up to recently.
Our next newsletter will be the 'Autumn Newsletter' which will be posted at the end of September.
Amazing work 😍