ISSUE4
Summerisatimeofrejuvenation,exploration, andnewbeginnings,andwehopethis newsletterwillencourageyoutomeetyour localcommunityatthemanymulticultural eventscomingsoon.
Thisissueispackedwithourcommunity spotlights,projectupdates,andinformationon localsupportandthenextSDCSmallGrant Fundopenssoon!
Keepuptodate
@somersetdiversecommunities
@ruralsomerset
@somersetdiversecommunities
www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc
INTHISISSUE
PolishSaturdaySchool
CommunitySpotlightMASSTaunton
Women'sConversation Club-updates
ESOLWells
CommunityFunding
CommunitySupport
PolishWomen's Support
WatchGroup
Tunein-Catchuponour webinars/podcasts
PolishSaturdaySchool
SomersetDiverseCommunitieshelped organisetwoseparatetripsforthePolish SaturdaySchoolofJanBrrzechwain Taunton,hostedby2localorganisationsSomersetWildlifeTrust(SWT)and QuantockLandscapePartnershipScheme (QLPS).
OnSaturday20thMay,thePolishSaturday Schoolhadthepleasureoftakingpartin Dunsterbeachactivities,runbySomerset WildlifeTrustwhereover50pupilstookpart ineducationalgamestogetherwhilethey learnedaboutthesecretlifeofthebeach. Pupilssearchedforandidentifiedthefauna andflora.Theymadesculpturesoutof garbagethrownbytheseaontheshore andbuiltstonetowers.
OnSaturday17thJune,thePolishSaturday Schoolspentadayinthewoodsenjoying listeningtostoriesaboutthehillsand foreststhatsurroundthem Together,they builtraftsandsearchedforsecretlifeatthe bottomofastreamflowingnearby.They alsolearnedhowtomakeink,andwhen theirstomachsgrowled,theycouldbakea mealoftheirown.
Special thanks to JonBarrett(CommunityEngagement& VolunteeringOfficerforQLPS)andMandy Wallington(Somerset'sWilderCoastProject OfficerforSWT).
MASS-MalayalamSamskarikaSamathi
WhatisMASS?
MASSisagroupofKeralitePeople.Keralite PeopleoriginatefromKeralam,thisisoneof thestatesinthesouthernareaofIndia,itis oneofthemostfamoustouristdestinations intheworld.
ThesloganofKeralaTourismBoard,about thestateis“Keralam,God’sowncountry”. Malayalamisthespokenlanguageofthe KeralitePeople Keralitesareveryattached totheirfamilyandtheirculturalSamskarika festivals.Theyareveryfriendly,welcoming, andadaptivepeople,takingpridein submersingthemselvesintheirlocalarea andcommunity.
Theyareagroupofprofessionalswhohave thesamevalues,interestsandcultural beliefs;theyformedanassociationinJuly 2016 TheycalledtheirassociationMASS
ThenameMASSismadeupfromthe followinglinks.
MAstandsforMalayalam,theKeralites language.
SstandsforSamskarika,thecultureofthe Keralites.
SstandsforSamathi,thegroupofKeralites.
WhatareMASSobjectives?
Topromotehighstandardsoflivingforthe individualsofthegroups
Protecttheirinterestsandprovidea platformtoexpresstheirinterestsanda placetohearthem.
Toconductculturalprogramsfivetimesa year;theprogrammeincludes,thegroup membersalwaysgetthechanceto performtheirtalents,regardlessofage, ability,religion,orpoliticalexpression. Afamily‘gettogether’onceamonthanda groupholidayonceayear.
Saturdayclubsforchildren,withthe opportunitytolearnclassicaldance, classicalmusic,KeralitemartialartsKalarippayattu
Faiths,Believes,Respects
MASSrespectsandaccommodates peoplewithdifferentfaithsandbeliefs.All ourmembersbelongtodifferentreligions andtherefore,weareconductingevents fordifferentreligions'celebrationsandit’s beingcelebratingtogether.Webelievethis willbringupgoodunderstandingand respectforeachotherespeciallyithelps ouryounggenerationtolivewithrespect todiversesociety.
MainEvents
Onam(Onami
ofKeralathatc
SportDay
Easter
Vishu(itisaHindufestival,iscelebration Keralaastheharvestfestivalandthe astrologicalNewYearoftheMalayalis)
Ramzan(Eid)
Christmas&NewYear
Annualholidays
Howaretheyfunded?
AtthebeginningofMASSassociation,thefirst questionwas,howwillweachievethisgoal withoutfinancialsupport?Someofthe membersthoughtthecosttomaintainthe daytodayrunningofMASSshouldbe supportedbythemember'scontribution.
Thefearofthecostmadesomemembers leavethegroup.Theothermembersleftthen heldameetinganddiscussed,‘Howcanwe existwithoutanycontributionordonation fromanyoneelse?’.‘Isitpossibletoget financialfreedom?’
Themembersagreedtostartabusinessand nameallthebusinessesasMASS.The associationhasnotanyinvolvementinthe business,buttheassociationshouldgeta royaltytousethename,andtheMASS businessgroupsshallsponsorallthe programsapprovedbytheassociation.
TheMASSbusinessesare:
MASSCareAgency
MASSHomeCare
MASSTrainingAcademy
MASSLogistics
MASSPublications
MASSbusinessesfinanciallysupportthe MASSassociation,andtheassociation providessupportforthewholegroup regardlessofthemhavinganybusiness involvement.
WhatisMASSachieving?
MASSnowprovides:
Culturalprograms
Annualholidays
Childrenclub
BirthdayandWeddinganniversary celebrationsofthemembers
Achievementsawards,forexample highpassesinGCSEorA-Levels Cashgrantsforuniversitystudents(up to£800percandidateandexclusively forthegoldmembers)
Marriageallowancefornewcouples (upto£1000foracouplesand exclusivelyforgroupmembers)
HolidayAllowance(upto£500peryear forafamilyexclusivelyforgold members)
JobsforallmembersinMASSmembers owningbusinesses.
MASSTauntonc
HowcanyoubecomeamemberoftheMASS community?
TobecomeaMASSmemberfollowsacollective procedure.
Apotentialnewmembershouldexpresstheir interestbyemailorbycontactingoneofthe BoardExecutives Itisarequirementthatthe executivesshoulddofullbackgroundcheck, theseincludeacriminalrecordscheck-DBS, religiousandpoliticalviews,attitudestothe communityhistorically,employmentsand professionalactivities;therespecttheyshowfor thiscountryanditsvalues,theirpersonaland familylife.Ifallcheckscomebackpositively, he/shewillbeinvitedtoparticipateinthe programs
TheFutureofMASSandthevision
MASSintendtogrowandcontinuetolookfor opportunitiesforthelocalcommunity.Justafewofour plansare:
Buildavillagehallforthelocalcommunity. Establishwelfaregrantsforfamiliesandchildrenin thelocalcommunity
Createmorejobslocallybyinvestingmoneyinlocal businesses
Buildasportsclubthatallthelocalcommunitycan access.
Inconclusion,MASSplantohavenoconclusion.Wewant tocontinuetogrowanddevelopwiththelocal community.WearebasedatAcornBusinessParkin Tauntonandasthesayinggoes‘Fromacorns,mighty oaksdogrow’.Thankyoufortakingthetimetoread aboutushereatMASS.
Whatarethedifferent Memberships?
Afterattendingsomeofthe programsonafewoccasions,the candidatesagainwillbeasked abouttheirintentiontojoininMASS, andiftheirinterestisstillgenuine,if theyindicateitis,thecandidate awardedtheMASSbasic membership.
AbasicMembershipiscalledaSilver Membership.Thefeeforthis membershipis£50currently.ASilver Membershipholdercanbenefitfrom MASSallthefunctionsandprograms freeofcharge
SilverMembershipisnotlifetime membership;therewillbeanannual feeof£50.Asilvermembercan leavetheassociationanytimethey want.Afterbeingasilvermember forayeartheSilverMembercan moveontogoldmembership.
Agoldmembershipisalifetime membership Thefeeforthegold membershipis£10,00000 currently.
GoldMembershavevotingrights andcanstandintheelectionfor executiveboardposts.OnlyGold membersareinvitedtoinvestMASS businesses.
EllieBealing(amemberoftheSomersetYouth Parliament)islaunchingasurveytogaugeyoung people’sperspectivesonequalityanddiversityin schools/colleges Ellieisreallykeentoexplore attitudesandbehavioursaroundrespectand supportinschools.She’screatedaMicrosoftsurvey whichwillgatherresponsestohelpshapeher actionsfortherestoftheyear.
ThesurveywillhelpEllietoseehowtheyoungpeople ofSomersetfeelaboutthistopicandseehowlocal societycanbeimprovedtobecomemoreequal andaccepting.Deadline–30thJune2023
PleasetakepartintheYouthParliamentSurveyifyouarebetween11-18yearsold https://tinyurl.com/487jrw33
TheconferencewasorganisedbytheWellsandTransatlanticSlaveryworkinggroup whichcomprisesoflocalorganisationsandindividualscommittedtoexploringhow slaveryhasaffectedWells,andimpactedtheCaribbean Theprojectrecognises transatlanticslaveryintheCaribbeanasagraveandmonumentalcrimeagainst humanity,andseekstomakethesehistoriesvisibleacrossthecityandtoconsider theenduringlegaciesofslaveryinBritainandtheCaribbean.
TheresearchundertakenbytheWellsandTransatlanticSlaveryworkinggrouphas uncoveredsignificantandextensiveconnectionsbetweenthecity,theslave-trade, andslave-ownershipintheCaribbean.PartlybecauseofitsproximitytotheslavetradingportofBristol,anumberofindividualsandfamilieswhoownedenslavedlabourplantationswerebasedinornearWells.OneexampleistheTudwayfamily, whowereimportantlocalpoliticiansandlandownersineighteenthandnineteenth centuryWellsandrepresentedthecitybothlocallyasmayorsandnationallyin Parliament.TheTudwaysalsoownedandprofitedfromenslaved-labourplantations inParham,Antigua,whichenabledthemtoplayanimportantroleinthecity’s politicalandciviclife.
Trackingconnectionssuchastheseindetail,wehaveidentifiedhowmanyofthe city’smajorinstitutions,includingWellsCathedralandWellsTownHall,cameto benefitfromslavery-derivedwealthandalsolearntofpeoplewhospokeout againstslavery.Acrossthewholeprojectwehavetriedtoengagewithallsidesand perspectivesofthesechallenginghistories Averyrichandintricatestoryhas emerged,tonamebutafew,CanonsattheCathedralwhosewealthcamefrom slaveownership,therelationshipbetweentheWellsTheologicalCollegethatwas basedinVicarsClose,WellsandtheCodringtonTheologicalCollegeandenslavedlaboursugarplantationinBarbados.Wehavealsolearntoftheactiveinvolvement oftwoBishopsofBathandWellsintheabolitionmovement,aswellasthevisitsof formerlyenslavedAfricanAmericanabolitioniststothelocalarea.
AswewalkroundtheCity,wefindmanybuildingsandartefactsthatsignalthe legacyofthepast.WehavecreatedaWellsandTransatlanticSlaveryself-guided trailleafletwhichisfreelyavailablefromWellsCathedral,Wells&MendipMuseum, TouristInformationCentre,TownHall,TheBishop’sPalaceandStCuthbert’sChurch ThisguidesyouaroundtheCity,explaininghowthepastisembeddedinthelocal environment,oncehiddenandnowacknowledged.
Theconferencetalksareavailableonlineatwww.Wellsandtransatlanticslavery.com. Thereislotsofresearchthatwearestillwritingupandwillbeputonthewebsite soon.Inthefutureweaimtodevelopaneducationprogrammeforschoolsanda memorialtotheenslaved.
GlastonburyWomen’sEnglishConversationClub
Thisnewgroupisarelaxed,drop-inconversationclubfor womenofallnationalities.
TheConversationClubisheldatStBenedict’sChurch, Glastonbury,whichisaverybeautifulandwelcomingspace.The churchhasconcurrentlybeenhostinga“warmspace”overthe winter,soweareabletointroduceourlearnerstomembersof thecommunitywhenwepauseforteaandcake Thereare manyinterestingpeopletotalkto,andtheyhaveenjoyed samplingourcakeandhomemadeTurkishtreats.
IamveryhappywithEnglish lessonsIthashelpedmealot inlearningEnglish.Ihave madefriends.
Keziban-Turkey
Thecoremembersaresix Turkishwomenwhohavebeen inthecountryformanyyears butwholargelystaywithintheir owncommunity.Thewomenall strugglewithcommunicationin English,whiletheirhusbands andchildren-whoworkand attendlocalschools-tendto speakfluently Withoutagood graspofEnglish,the practicalitiesoflifesuchas doctors’appointmentsand parentseveningsmustbevery challenging,nottomentionthe lackofopportunityfor friendshipsandsocialactivities outsidethecommunity.
ConversationClubonWednesdaysisvery beneficialformeItisreallyhelpfulandfriendly,with fundifferentgamesforustolearn,Iamveryhappy. IlearnedmanynewwordsinthelessonsSome teachersarejusttellingandpassingby,you'retrying sohardforustolearn.
Kevser-Turkey
Communitysupportworkershavealsoreferred twoSyrianwomentoourgroup.Onehasonlya fewwordsofEnglish,andhasbeenfeelingvery isolated.Shecan’tattendformalclassesdue tohavingatoddlerathome,whoisveryhappy toplaywiththechurch’stoysduringour session ThesecondSyrianwomanislearning toreadandwrite.Sinceformalsettings normallyrequireacertainlevelofliteracy,our ConversationClubisenablinghertoimprove herlanguageskillsinherownway.
CIcanseethatpeoplearesociallyinteracting withtheirclassmatesandvolunteersduring theirlearning.Thisisveryhelpfulforbuilding selfconfidence,developingselfexpression andindependenceintheircommunity
Yüksel–Volunteer
Ithasbeengreattoseethewomenchattingtoeachotherandmakingfriends,so theycanshareexperiencesandoffereachothersupport.Wehavealsobenefitted fromacoupleofEnglish-speakingvolunteerswhohavehelpedthoselearnerswith littleEnglish.Wehaveallenjoyedthesocialbenefitsofgettingtoknoweachother, andlearningabouteachother’scultures
Eachsessionisbasedonatheme,withthegoalofimprovingcommunicationinthis area,increasingconfidenceindealingwithpotentialscenarios,andunderstandingof howthesystemworksintheUKsoastobetternavigateit Inour“Schools”session,we talkedaboutexperienceswiththelocalschoolsandexamsandpractisedasking trickyquestionsinaParentsEveningrole-play.In“Hospitals”,weusedthelocal hospital’smaptomasternavigatingtoappointments,werevisedbodypartsand playedagametopracticedescribingsymptoms.Thewomenhelpedplanthe sessionssothatwefocusonareaswhichwillhelpthemmostwithlifeintheUK
AnadditionalgoalistoencouragethewomentotakepartinaspectsofUKlifewhich mightbeunfamiliar.Wehadafantasticmosaic-makingsessionwithalocalartist fromSomersetArtWorkswhichwillhopefullyleadtomoreinthefutureandwehave haveresearchedartclubsforoneparticularlyartisticlearnerwhohasn’thadthe opportunitytodoanyartsinceleavingschoolinTurkey Wehavebeenoutforcoffee andwillbevisitingthelibrarytomakesurethewomenareawareofthesupport availablethereforlanguageandliteracy.Therearemanyplacestovisit!
BeginnersEnglishLessons-ThursdaymorningsinWells
ThisclasswascreatedtohelplocalUkrainians,butwesoonrealisedtherewasalso aneedforlanguageclassesforothernationalities,andwehavebeenpleasedto welcomelearnersfromTurkey(two),Syria(two)andKurdistan(one)too.Classes typicallycontain10learnerseachweek,althoughtherearemanymorethanthaton theregisterwhoattendwhentheirworkandpaperworkcommitmentsallow.
Languageacquisitionisvitaltomanyofthelearners,particularlythoseUkrainians whoarecurrentlyrestrictedtomenialjobs,havingworkedasqualified professionalsathome.Othernationalitieshavebeenlivinghereforyearswithout fullyintegratingintothecommunity,mainlyduetolackoflanguageskills OpportunitiesforESOLlearninghadpreviouslybeenfewandfarbetween,andso somearemakingupforlosttime.
IgobecauseIwanttolearn English,nowI'mbetterI'm wanttolearnmore
Mijbeer-Kurdistan
Thisisoneofthefewopportunities tolearnthelanguage,whichisso necessary.Ilikethestructureofour lessons,andthematerialused.
Maryna–Ukraine
Ourclassescoverfunctionalskills,suchasshopping,directionsandtellingthe time;vocabulary,suchasdescribingpeople,technologyandcooking;andof coursegrammar.Wefocusonspeakingandlisteningskills,whichlearnershave indicatedarethebiggestchallenges.Wemixformallearningandexerciseswith learningthroughgamesandrole-play.Homeworkisoptional,butseveralare verykeentodoextraworkandwon’tleavewithoutit!Learnersworkwelltogether andlearnasmuchfromeachotherastheydofromtheEnglishspeakers
IreallyenjoyattendingmyEnglish classesatWells MyEnglishisgetting betterwitheveryclass,thereisa sincereatmosphereintheclasses,a lotofattentionfromtheteacher,an individualapproachtoeachlearner.
Lydmila–Ukraine
Ireallyliketheselessonsbecauseevery timewelearnsomethingnewandalso havealotofpractice. Wespeak Englishalotandarenotafraidof mistakesbecausetheywillexplainto ushowtodoitright.
Lina-Ukraine
TheseclassesareFREEandforallabilities!Formoreinformation,pleasecontactour tutorNicolaHaynenicolagillison@gmail.com orJusnaMustafaJusna@somersetrcc.org.uk 07946461544
Consideringthedifficultcircumstancesmanylearnersfindthemselvesinat present,thereisplentyoflaughterinourclasses.Socialinteractionprovidesa welcomerelieftothoseworkinghardtherestoftheweekandstrugglingwiththe stressesofthewarinUkraineandlivingfarfromfamilyandfriends.New friendshipshavebeenforgedbetweenlearnersofdifferentnationalities,and alsobetweenourvolunteersandthesmallgroupstheyoversee
Wearefriendlyandinformal andthereismuchlaughter I soadmirethesebravepeople andenjoytheircompany.
Anne-Volunteer
Ihavemadelotsofnew goodfriends-Ukrainian andEnglishfriends.
Ayse,Turkey
Weareluckyenoughtohaveseverallocalvolunteerswhogivetheirtimeeach weekbyhelpingsmallgroupswithintheclass.Thismaximisestheamountof Englisheachlearnerspeaksandhears,andalsoexposesthemtodifferentvoices. Volunteershavereallyenjoyedtheexperience,particularlytheculturalinsight thatthemixtureofnationalitiesintheclassprovides.Manylearnerslivemostly withintheirowncommunities,andsogettingtoknowmorelocalpeoplehelps themtounderstandourconfusingcountryandhowitworks!
WehavebeenhelpingUkrainianswiththeirEnglish speakingskillsbutinalightheartedwayandit’s rewardingtoseesmilesallround.”Liz-Volunteer “Theopportunitytocommunicatewithnativespeakers andlearntounderstandthemisveryvaluable.Alsoit wasencouragingtomeetsomeUkrainiansonthis courseandnowwecanhelpeachother Serhii-Ukraine
"Ithasbeenwonderfultosee thelearnersgrowin confidenceandfluencyover thelastfewmonths.Learners reallyappreciatetheclass andaregratefulforthe opportunitiesitprovidesto learnandpractisetheir Englishsothattheycanget moreoutoftheirliveshere."
Iamverygratefulfor theselessonsnow-they areveryimportantforus.
Lina–Ukraine
ThepeopleofChardcameouttocelebratetherichlydiverseculturesofChardonthe 11thofMarch2023attheChardTogethereventthatwasheldatTheGuildhall.
Theday'seventswereorganisedbyvolunteerslivinginChard,withsupportfrom SomersetDiverseCommunitiesanditwasthefirstoffourculturaldaysplannedover thenextyearforthetown.
Itwasanoverwhelmingsuccess,withover700peopleattendingontheday Far surpassingtheexpectationsoftheorganisers.Theresponseofthepublicwasjoyously positive,withsomanypeoplewantingtoshareandexperiencethemanyculturesthat makeChardspecial.
AWorldmapwasavailableforpeopletopinwheretheycamefrom,withvisitorson thedayplacingheartsallovertheWorld,includingBangladesh,Bolivia,Greenland, Thailand,Ukraine,Portugal,India,Brazil,Malaysia,NewZealand,Democratic RepublicofCongoandJapan.
ItwastrulyexcitingtoseesomanypeoplesupportingChardTogetheronSaturday. TheChardTogetherteamareveryexcitedabouttheupcomingmulticulturalevents thatareplannedforthetown.
@CHARDTOGETHER
ChardCastwhichwas recordedatChard Together,talkingabout diversityandChard Together Hereisthelink.
TAKEARTANDCULTIVATE
Series3
HaveyoutunedintotheNEW2023
Podcasts:
Episode1:AndyRidgewell (ProgrammesDirectoratthe SomersetCommunityFoundation) talksaboutprojectfundingand availablegrants.
Episode2:JonBarrett(Community EngagementandVolunteering Officer)talksabouttheQuantock LandscapePartnershipScheme (QLPS)aboutwhogetsinvolvedin natureandhow.
www.ccslovesomerset.org/series-3/
ImmigrationQ&A SelfEmploymentintheUK EventManagementbasicsforCommunity Groups
Don'tmissoutonanyofourwebinars-catchupon thewebinarsbelow: Towatchbackourwebinarsvisit:
WHERE? WHEN?
WEHOPETOSEEYOUTHERE
20thAugust 2pm-4pm
CulturalCafe Markingthe75th anniversaryofHMTEmpire WindrushArriving
TheEngineRoom,52, HighStreet,Bridgwater TA63BL
30thSeptember
From2pm Musicstarts @8pmuntil late!
SoundSystemstoSoul
Windrush75-LiveMusic Event
TheManorHotel,26 Hendford,Yeovil,BA20 1TG
Tickets£10via: https://tinyurlcom/2hth5 c3s
Wearedelightedtoinviteyoutothelivemulticulturalevents!
Whattoexpect!
Deliciousfoodfromaroundtheworld,music,performances,presentationsandmuchmore. Comealongwithyourfriendsandfamilytocelebratediversityofourregion
MulticulturalFrome-October2023
BlackHistoryMonth-localeventsandactivitypromotion BridgwaterTogether-November2023
DoyouWorkatHinkleyPointC(HPC)?
OurSmallGrantFundforSomersetDiverse CommunityGroupsopensonthe3rdofJuly!
Agrantofupto£500
Foranycommunitygroups,charities, organisationsandagenciesthatsupportor directlyworkwithethnicdiversecommunitiesin Somerset
ReadourSmallGrantfundinginformationforfull details
Closingonthe31stJuly2023.
Prioritywillbegiventoapplicationsthatsupport ethnicallydiversecommunitiesto:
LearnEnglish
Reduceisolation
Challengeraceorfaith-basedhatecrime Engageyouthandelderlypeople Improvewellbeing.
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseemail: Jusna@somersetrccorguk
Watch
Foundedin2010,theWATCHProjectbegan itsworkinChardwithisolatedmembersof thecommunity,butnowreachesacross thecountywithitspeersupportgroupsand training.
Attheheartoftheprojectisadesiretogive individualsanelevatedsenseof confidenceandempowerment,enabling themtotaketheirownpositivestepsonthe pathwaytowell-being.OneoftheseisElla (Elzbieta),aPolishlady,whocametothe Projectafterbeingimpactedbyanillness thatpreventedherfromworking
WATCHprovidedaplatformforherto participateinmanydifferentactivities includingaskillsfortheworkplacecourse andpeerchampiontraining.Ellawas recentlyabletoshareherjourneyofhope withtheattendeesofthePolishFamilies SaturdaySchoolinTaunton.Supportedby othersfromtheWATCHteam,itwasagreat opportunitytomeetmembers ofthePolishcommunity,highlightingthe waysthatWATCH'sservicesareopentoall.
Women'sPolishSu
Crisesareapainfu p , p g ngesthat cangivehope.Insuchmoments,itiseasytolosecontrol,whichleadstohelplessness andunderminingself-confidence.Thenitisworthlookingforthesupportandstrength thatgroupmeetingsgive.
Theideaofthegroupistocreateasafespacetosharedifficultexperiences.Ifyouare goingthroughacrisis,feelstuck-thisgroupisforyou.Youwillbeabletotalkto womeninasimilarsituation,shareyourownexperiences,receiveandgive understandingandemotionalsupport
You are not alone
EveryTuesday at3pmon DiversityVoice (VictoriaPark Community Centerin Bridgwater)
ReachingouttopeoplewithCOPDinBridgwatertoimprovehealthandwellbeing Inthesummerof2022,SomersetICBwasselectedasoneofEngland’saccelerator sitesfor*Core20Plus.Theprojectaimstoimprovehealthandwellbeingforpeople withCOPDlivinginBridgwater.Thiswasonthebasisthat:
ThenationalprevalenceofCOPDis1.9%withBridgwaterat2.3%.
InthemoredeprivedareasofBridgwater,theprevalenceofCOPDisraisedat 3.3%butlessthan50%ofthepeopleintheseareastakeupanannualreview withtheirGP,meaningthatmanywillnotbereceivingsupportorhavebeen diagnosedinthefirstplace BridgwaterisanethnicallydiversetownduetotheproximityoftheHinkleyPoint NuclearPowerstationwhichiscurrentlyundergoingmajordevelopment. Migrantworkersfromallovertheworldliveinthetowninhousesofmultiple occupancyandpurpose-builtaccommodation.Thereisalsoadisplaced personshotelopenedupnearjunction23oftheM5.
TheCOPDprojectinBridgwaterisacollaborationbetweentheICB,Voluntary CommunitySector(VCS)andPublicHealthSomerset.WendyCowardstartedin December2022astheCommunityCo-ordinatorforthisoneyearprojectonbehalf ofEvolvingCommunities/HealthwatchSomerset(VCSorganisation)
WendyCoward,Somerset’sCore20PLUSCo-ordinator,willbereachingoutto communitiesandGPpracticesinBridgwaterandidentifyingCommunity Connectors(communityvolunteerswith/withoutalivedexperienceofCOPD)along
Wearerecruitingmorevolunteerstojoin ourLanguageConnectteam!
Whenlearningalanguage,meetingupwitha fluentspeakeristheidealopportunitytopractice languageskills,learnnewvocabulary,and becomemoreconfident.
Wouldyouliketojoinourteamoffluent speakers?Wehavelearnersatthereadysostart yourvolunteerjourneywithus!
TOFINDOUTMOREVISIT: