NWR NEWS
In their own words
Three months in, and completely sold We moved house during Covid time When the rule of six applied Hard to build new friendships When you can’t often meet inside We joined the local croquet club— Well that is out of doors When the Register was mentioned, I had a quick explore Three months in, and completely sold So many things to do Discuss on Zoom, and learn new stuff And learn the area too In summary—NWR Full of activities and games The biggest challenge left to me Is remembering all those names! Gwyn Grout
The National Office team have been busy updating the guides and handbooks for NWR volunteers. Full of tried and tested tips, you can find the Local Organiser’s Handbook, New Group Handbook and NWR Promotion Guide on the “Resources for NWR Volunteers” page at https://nwr. org.uk/about/resources-for-nwrvolunteers/ You’ll also find helpful guides about: ■■ Programme planning; ■■ Ensuring there are enough hosts for meetings; ■■ Keeping meetings to their allotted time; as well as a handy FAQ, and guidance for web editors. 8
NWR Magazine Spring 2022
Karen Cowley
The opportunity to meet like-minded women I moved to Leighton Buzzard just before the Christmas 2020 lockdown kicked in. Initially I got to know parts of the area by taking long solitary walks, which also helped me to keep relatively fit. I had I was met with friendliness hoped to join some local groups but of and warmth course those plans had to be put on hold. Then my daughter-in-law passed on After living in New Zealand for nearly 20 years, in 2020 I made the difficult decision details of the NWR, which she had found online and thought might interest me. I to leave a full life of loving friends, two engrossing volunteer jobs, great weather looked into the Leighton Buzzard branch and was immediately struck by how many and wonderful food and wine, to return of their activities appealed to me. I am to live near my family in the UK. Like so a word person, so the idea of joining many others, my life had been turned book clubs, playing Scrabble etc had me upside down by the pandemic and my hooked. There was even Canasta, a card lifestyle, which had involved lots of trips game I started playing a couple of years backwards and forwards, had to be reassessed. I settled in Leighton Buzzard, an area which, in spite of it being close to my family, I barely knew, and within weeks we moved into full lockdown. Luckily I was in a bubble with my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren aged two and six, but once I’d sorted out my new apartment I realised that I had to do something to bring some balance to my life—difficult when I couldn’t even meet my neighbours. ago, which had been put on the back I remembered NHR, an organisation burner during the various lockdowns and which had provided me with a readymy move. One of the main benefits to me made support group when I left work to have my sons in the late 70s, and I looked was the opportunity to meet like-minded women face to face in a Covid-aware way, it up. The organisation had changed its name, housewives no more, but there was knowing that they are vaccinated and have tested prior to events. For those not a large group in Leighton Buzzard and happy to take these steps, or who don’t they seemed to have cheerfully moved yet feel comfortable in a face to face into the 21st century, embracing email setting, there are Zoom options. communication and Zoom meetings. I So far, I’ve gone out for a delicious was met with friendliness and warmth Turkish lunch, played Canasta and and, as soon as lockdown allowed, a attended a coffee morning. Next on the small social meeting for coffee—the agenda is a Christmas lunch! Everyone first time I’d met anyone new since my I’ve met has been friendly and welcoming move six months earlier. Since then I’ve and I am confident that joining this group joined in the regular discussion groups will help me settle into, and get the most as well as sampling art appreciation and a reading group. I’ve been on outings, to out of, living in Leighton Buzzard. I’m coffee mornings, learned to play Canasta really looking forward to the year ahead! and struggled with the metamorphosis
Sharon Newey
Photo by Crystal Berdion on Unsplash
Resources for NWR volunteers
Image by Kranich17 from Pixabay
of Scrabble. I’ve had recommendations for hairdressers, lawyers and places for the best coffee and met fellow bridge players. In other words, Leighton Buzzard Hear what joining NWR has meant for some of Leighton NWR has helped me settle into a new Buzzard NWR’s newest members. environment by providing help, support, interesting evenings and afternoons, new times was something of a challenge Leighton Buzzard NWR are very acquaintances who are becoming friends and lots of laughs. but, happily, NWR was there to help. fortunate to have gained four new It’s good to see that Maureen Nicol’s members during 2021, three of whom are Here are some of their reflections on the original aim of “a meeting point for lively experience. new to the area. As you may imagine, minded women” has survived over the relocating during these difficult Covid Heather de Lacey, Leighton Buzzard NWR years by adapting to the many changes we’ve all had to deal with.
