Page 10 - link magazine

GROUP PROFILE
10

A BRIDGE FOR NEWCOMERS

One of West Swindon's newest group," she commented. "We're
community groups has been here to respond to the needs of
formed to help new arrivals meet parents; some will come every
each other and to find support week, others will come on just
from other people in the area. two or three occasions before
'Newcomers' meets on Fridays finding some other activity to
in the Community Suite at the join in with. Our times are flexible
Link Centre and according to too. We're here between 1 p.m.
Sheila Cracknell, one of the and 4 p.m. on Fridays. People
organisers, 'new' is defined very can drop in or leave at any time
widely. "Basically we have to depending on what they are
help people who do not know doing. Sometimes the baby is
others, or don't know what is asleep in the early afternoon or
going on in the community," said there may be shopping to do or
Sheila, "they could have just children to pick up from school.
moved here from somewhere else "We have a small group and In a way we are a bridge where It's up to the user.
and settling down in a new area is provide a friendly atmosphere people can make friends before "Hopefully, not only will
a traumatic experience, what with where newcomers to the area can moving on to other groups closer people who come to 'Newcomers'
unpacking, finding schools or make the initial and often import- to home," said Moyra. have made some friends, they will
playgroups, making friends and ant contacts." "When I moved here at the have acquired useful information
so on. Then there are people Another organiser, Moyra, ex- end of last year I did not know a about the community and per-
who have lived in West Swindon plained that 'Newcomers' is an soul and many groups did not haps gained confidence.
for some time, but have not offshoot from the Tuesday coffee have room for me and my chil- 'Newcomers' and the Tuesday
joined in with anything and per- mornings held at the Link Centre dren. I really was quite lost and Coffee Mornings for new arrivals,
haps do not know how to. which are run by Pam Pixton, isolated and became fed up with which is open to anybody who
"There are also those who are West Swindon's new arrivals West Swindon. You can only go needs information about the com-
new to parenthood. Most parents, visitor. "Some of us who had to Carrefour so many times in munity, will continue throughout
especially mothers, discover a been to the coffee mornings a the week. So I was very thankful the summer in the Toddler Group
whole different way of living once few times thought there was need for the Tuesday get-together. At room at the Community Suite,
children come along. The change for another chance for people to least I could come in from that Link Centre.
from work can be a shock and it get together, especially those who freezing weather." Newcomers
can be a lonely, depressing exist- perhaps do not feel very strong Heather Foskett is another Friday 1 p.m. —4p.m.
ence, if you do not know many about joining the more estab- friendly face at 'Newcomers'. Coffee Mornings
others who you can confide in. lished parent and toddler groups. "We're trying to be a flexible Tuesday 10a.m. - 11.30a.m.

Open 7 days a week
BASSETT Radio Controlled 24 Hr. A fundraising event for the WASPS summer playscheme
TYRES Tyre Breakdown Service A NIGHT AT THE RACES
"C
Saturday 20th June

moo 0
*

Otte

01,/ ' Q' _
At the Link Theatre doors open 7- 30pm
0/7 .?r
£2- 00 entry tickets only

74W*40 &W Available from Toothill and Freshbrook community centres
Unit 7 Templars Way and the Link
Industrial Estate, Marlborough Rd., 4
Wootton Bassett, Wilts. SN4 7EJ.
Telephone: (0793)854771 (Eve. 850514) includes free buffet