CLENT CONNECT Creating a community hub February 2021

A MESSAGE FROM KIM COMMUNITY HUB UPDATE

Dear friends, Whilst it is clear that the heart of Clent Connect is already beating, the work towards creating a physical hub continues in Some of us have been on the receiving parallel. A committee of local residents has been set up, and end of bad news, some of us are many individuals are giving their skills, experience and time to working in the thick of it as key workers. support this exciting venture. Some of us are being stretched as we attempt to home school and some of us Clent Connect Community Hub Limited has now been set up as are simply waiting for the‘ all clear’ to a 'Community Benefit Society' with the Financial Conduct be sounded, so we can once again Authority, meaning that shares of £10 each can be sold to reunite with our loved ones. Everyone anyone who would like to support the Hub and all that it will feels so disjointed from everyone else, offer our community. We will provide more information on this we are on our own but, we are not in a future newsletter. alone. Already I have seen the results as the Clent Connect group swings into As mentioned previously, we have three potential sites for the action. The phone buddy scheme is Hub and preliminary planning discussions have started for all of working well, connecting the isolated, these. We will evaluate each option in terms of cost, the fortnightly quiz spot is back in accessibility, utility provision and sustainability to ensure we action. The ready to cook chilled meals are able to make a fully-informed decision about the Hub's which have been made by one of our ultimate location. A long-term Business Plan is taking shape, village volunteers have been greatly and work is also underway on the marketing plans for the cafe, received. The little ‘Cups of Hope’ have small shop and community activities. brought much joy to those who have received them. There are beautiful acts of kindness going on all over the village.

We have a couple more ways we can keep in touch with each other. One is going to be ‘Heart Bombing’ St Leonard’s – making and dedicating Illustrations of how the Hub could be positioned on each site. L-R: off hearts to those we’ve lost or miss and Bromsgrove Rd nr school, adjacent to Clent Club, by the cricket pavilion. putting them on the hedges surrounding the church. And two, A Clent Village We are now in need of someone with retail experience to join Easter Trail, much like the Advent our committee, to act as an advisor as we set up and stock the window trail. If you would like more shop with grocery items and locally sourced products. Please information on these two events, please get in touch with Bonnie or Rosie if you think you may be able email me. But for now, Spring is on its to help us with this. We’ll keep you informed about other way, lambs are being born, snowdrops interesting volunteering opportunities as the project develops! are pushing through the grass and the bird song is sounding better every morning. Hold on in there, it won’t be GET IN TOUCH long now as the vaccination programme You can contact us by phone or email: is ramping up a gear. We’ll have so much to celebrate when this is all over. Bonnie Rosie Stay safe, stay strong, stay positive. 07713 723 987 07931 216656 [email protected] [email protected] Revd Kim x Kim Sue 07952 162373 07807 836746 [email protected] [email protected] FANTASTIC COMMUNITY SUPPORT “Thank you ZOOM CHATS for the sweet cup Thank you to everyone who responded to our request for and saucer full of Our fortnightly caring and sharing help in last month’s newsletter. We are fortunate to live in snowdrops – such virtual get-togethers have been such a caring and supportive village. a lovely thing going really well on alternate to do.” Saturday mornings at 10.30am. Many thanks to: Richard & family for the meal delivery service; Jane & Andy for running the ‘Reflections’ Facebook They’re very informal and there is photo competition; Helen, Sally & Ellie for organising delightful time for one-to-one conversations ‘Cups of Hope’; Martin for his fortnightly quiz; and to Lynn for too, so do get in touch with Rosie managing our phone buddy network. All of these if you’re interested in joining. activities are spreading a little joy at a difficult time and making a real difference. If you would like to get involved with helping, or you need our support, please get LOCKDOWN LEARNING in touch.  Be realistic- you can't replicate school!  Establish a routine but don't HEART BOMBING ST LEONARD'S make it too rigid.  If you’re looking for online We'd like to invite everyone to place hearts on the hedge and trees at resources, use a trusted source the front of St Leonards this Lent. The hearts can represent loved like BBC Bitesize or Oak ones and family members you miss due to travel restrictions, or you National Academy. may want to remember someone special.  Stay in touch with school and ask for advice if you need it - Your heart can be made out of laminated card or plastic, it could be teachers know how difficult could be crocheted or knitted, or made out of fabric or wood. From this is and want to help. 17th February, a red glitter heart will be attached to the hedges and  Build in breaks, time away trees where you can attach your hearts and dedicate them to those from screens, and make sure you love. Watch out for the prickly hedge at the front! you all get out in the fresh air.  Remember that lots of family We look forward to seeing them all. activities are educationally valuable - practice maths while baking, write cards or emails ‘ESCAPE-PAIN’EXERCISE CLASSES to friends and relatives, read books, try new crafts, or If you suffer from hip or knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, a free challenge older children to educational and exercise programme begins online on Tuesday 16th learn a new skill for fun. February. Classes will run virtually on Zoom from 11am-12pm on  And finally...be kind to yourself Tuesday and Thursdays. Contact Hayley Gwilliam at Bromsgrove and don't put yourself (or your District Council at [email protected], child) under too much on 01527 81404, or visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk pressure! and search for 'ESCAPE-pain', to sign up.

We had some great entries to our ‘Reflections’ photo competition on the Clent Connect Facebook group. Congratulations to Jo Round who won with a shot of the Birmingham skyline in Edgbaston Reservoir and to runner-up Juliet Louise for her photo of the pools along Dark Lane. You have until 19 February to get your ‘Spring Has Sprung’ entries in!