East Leake Community Care
AGM NOTICE
The AGM of East Leake Community Care Association took place on Monday 3 October 2022 at St Mary’s Church Hall, East Leake, 8 pm
Chair Report 2022
Since the COVID restrictions were lifted last year, all our services were back and well used, as you could hear from the reports. I have to say a big thank you to all our volunteers who help in whatever way they can. I especially though want to thank our volunteer drivers who continued driving people to appointments when the fuel prices went up. We looked into whether the mileage payment to drivers of 45p per mile could be increased due to the rising cost of fuel. This amount was set by the government and could not be changed, because there would be a liability for tax if a higher amount was paid. This year we tried to have a bigger presence on social media and used Facebook successfully to recruit more volunteers. Also, a local business had donated some refreshments as they had seen the website. East Leake Community Care Association supported the local fundraising for the new pavilion and bought a brick. The Association received a monetary gift from the Evangelical Church in East Leake, which is being used to contribute to regular hospital trips for vulnerable residents. The committee thanked the Evangelical Church for their generous gift. After many years of being the treasurer of the association, Barry Pashley has decided to take a well earned retirement. I’ve only known him for a few years and he has always been very helpful.
Gisela Petschler Chair
MEMORY CAFE REPORT
The Memory Cafe will celebrate its fourth birthday this November. Open every Tuesday morning from 10.30 – 12noon, the Memory cafe provides support and a wide range of activities for people with a diagnosis of Dementia /memory loss and their carers. The activities include a reminiscing session covering a wide range of subjects; chair exercises which are a lot of fun and really help to get arms and legs moving to music. There are also jigsaw puzzles, word searches and other paper activities, dominoes and much more. There is a regular singing session which is much enjoyed; speakers and service providers are often invited for interest and information. We also have had visits from a Brownie leader with one of her Brownies and children from Brookside school who sang to us. Just before the first lock down we were fortunate to receive a donation from Councillors Carys Thomas and Kevin Shaw, which we were able, at last, to use to buy a Nobo board which is used interactively during some sessions. The board was unveiled during our 3rd birthday celebrations. Numbers attending have increased with most people attending every week, making friends and giving and receiving support. Our thanks go to Ann Prothero and the team of volunteers who give support, make drinks, put up tables etc and generally ensure the morning is enjoyable for all our guests. Please contact Anne for more information on :- 01509 559797
Maggie Gordon pp Anne Prothero
Tea and Cakes Report
After covid we are now back but taking all the required precautions. We held a Christmas tea but a scaled down version due to covid but it was enjoyable. We still have a good attendance each week ,the ladies that were on duty made a special effort to celebrate the Queens jubilee they decorated the hall and gave them a free tea with sausage rolls strawberries and cream and cake it was a lovely atmosphere and enjoyed by all. We have had a two week break during August due to boiler repairs but back again now. We average each week between 20-23 but welcome anyone that wants a cup of tea and cake it would be nice if a few more men would come along as we only have one at the moment. I would like to thank Maggie for all her help and also to all the volunteers who help each week including then drivers.
BEFRIENDING GROUP REPORT
Our role is to visit older, lonely and isolated people in their own home to offer friendship and support. This year we have recruited six new volunteers who are already visiting and beginning to establish friendships. All our volunteers have a DBS which is arranged by Jackie Vanderwalt and three references are taken up. The volunteers are matched as far as it is possible with their new friend and once the visit has been set up, visit once a week at a mutually convenient time. Our referrals come from Social Prescribers, who contact me regularly for this help as well as from family and friends; at the moment we have 13 people being visited with one visit waiting to be arranged. If you feel you would be able to offer one hour a week and would like to join our group of volunteers, you will find it a rewarding experience, please contact :- Maggie Gordon 01509 853866.
BEREAVED FRIENDS GROUP REPORT
Now in our 27th year! In person again since October last year, our fortnightly meetings are held in the Parish Office, Thursday afternoons from 2.30 -3.30pm. Besides our group meetings, members have visited Cherry Lane Garden
Centre for a Christmas tea, where Father Christmas found us courtesy of Elsie and John New; lunch at the Antlers restaurant and a garden visit at the home of Mr and Mrs Birch of Costock. Despite it being the only afternoon of the very hot summer when it rained we were treated to tea and scones and a tour of the garden with an invitation to return in the Spring. Since our last meeting two regular members have died and others have been seriously ill.
The strength of the group is the friendship and support the members give and receive from one another not only at the meetings but by contact outside of meetings. My sincere thanks to Elsie New for her help and support for all of the 27 years. For further details, support or information, please contact:- Maggie Gordon 01509 853866.
CARERS SITTING SERVICE REPORT
Constant care is draining both mentally and physically and although care is often given lovingly and selflessly there comes a time when a break is necessary for the Carer’s own health and wellbeing. The Carers sitting service aims to give Carers 2 hours a week when they can leave their home and the person they care for confident that their loved one is supported and safe. I think it is only if you have been in this situation yourself that you can begin to understand how difficult a carer’s role can be. We are currently supporting three people with this service and the
volunteers who fulfill this role are really appreciated . However, as the strain on our Social services continues to rise and the pressure increases on our care system we need more volunteers to take on this worthwhile and rewarding role. So if anyone feels they could spare two hours a week to give relief to a Carer who cares for 24 hours, seven days a week please contact for further information:- Maggie Gordon 01509 853866
Thank you for everyone who has helped and volunteered and if you would like to see the Minutes of the AGM please get in touch.