Page 9 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • July 2011 9
Cafes boost volunteer confidence and bring communities together

West Swindon Community Café volunteers were recognised for their efforts during national volunteer week in early June, with certificates
presented by the Mayor Ray Ballman.
The two cafes, based in Toothill Church and Freshbrook Community
Centre, coordinated by Tina Mackie and Carol Gibbon, rely on the help
of the 14 volunteers. Tina said, “there is no doubt we could not function
without our volunteers - they make the cafe a vibrant place and their en-
thusiasm to ensure the community is better for everyone is inspirational.”
She added that some helpers have been involved since they first started
at Freshbrook six years ago. “Our mission to help volunteers achieve their
potential means we do have a steady turnover as we encourage them to
reach their goals. Everyone is trusted and shares the responsibility; some
have health problems or disabilities. They all say the café has helped
them grow in confidence and self-esteem.
“For some this has led to work in the catering industry or being able
to go back into education.”
To find out more about helping, call the cafe hotline on 07944 134915.
The Community Cafés run at Toothill Church on Mondays and Fresh-
brook Community Centre on Wednesdays, 9.30am - 1.30pm. Welcoming the new Mayor and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland, from left front,
www.swindoncommunitycafe.org.uk Joleen Abbey, Sarah Battershell, Tina Mackie. Rear, Pat Poulter, Diane Best, Sharon Pyle
Swindon Cares chooses two new causes

Leading business people came to- 2003, over £150,000 has been raised.
gether at the end of May to launch The Football in the Community
corporate support for two charities Trust extends opportunities for
Over the next two years the children with disabilities and also
Rowdy Bunch youth club for young runs the Extra Time programme
people with physical and learning aimed at keeping over 60s healthy
difficulties, and Swindon Town and active.
Football in the Community Trust Amy Rumsey, deputy youth
(STFCT) will benefit from fundrais- leader at the Rowdy Bunch, said,
ing activities organised by compa- “there are very few clubs for chil-
nies in the town like Nationwide, dren with disabilities and knowing
Zurich, Triumph, Arval, Arkells, we have a promise of funding for
Swindon Council and Rotary Clubs. two years gives us a lot of security so
Members of Swindon Cares and the good causes to receive support Since Swindon Cares launched in that we can make long term plans.”

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