The
driving
focus of Weekenders
is to engage people
with mental health needs into social and recreational activities at the
weekend
when they are likely to feel a heightened sense of isolation. To that
end
Weekenders activities and social interaction are designed to promote
the goal
of ‘social inclusion’ for all members as they
encourage members to feel a part
of their local community. The new Service Level Agreement (SLA)
specified that
Weekenders should concentrate on recruiting younger adults (i.e. under
55) but
the existing older members still remain a lively
part of the group.
There has been a been a Day Services Review in North Essex
and Weekenders’ and Network’s activities have been
examined as part of this.
Because Weekenders is a very inclusive and community-focused Project,
we are
confident that it will meet the requirements of a modern Day Service in
the
future but we do have concerns about what will be
available for the over
55's who may come to need such services.
Emma
Wiffen
took over as the New
Weekenders Coordinator in July 2006 and as we write this Annual Report
she is
handing over the reigns to our new Project Coordinator, Linda Green.
Emma
wrote
this report in July
“New
Weekenders is celebrating its first anniversary
together since I took over and I feel delighted with progress and feel
we are
fulfilling our aim for the project in promoting independent living and
social
inclusion for people living with mental health needs. I believe every
person
has potential and capabilities but sometimes needs a bit of support to
find their
potential and discover ways
of using their unique abilities in a positive sense of direction and
purpose.
This has been my aim for Weekenders over the last year for people to
gain a
sense of value, worth and acceptance within our group and also within
the wider
community.
The
last Annual Report noted 4 social evenings and
one activity to date. I am delighted to report 21 social evenings and
7 activities to date which have been enjoyed by all. We have enjoyed
trips to
Southend, Country Shows, meals out and Freeport shopping to name a few.
We all feel very grateful to our driver Bob who
continues
to show his support for our project in giving up his occasional Sundays
off to
drive us to our events and participate in the outing. The Social
Evenings at
Cherry Trees have been a great success with all members bringing food
for a
shared supper. There is always food left over to keep stored for next
time so
we never go without. We received a very kind donation from the Maldon
Promenaders recently who have generously supported our Project and this
has
certainly helped us maintain Weekenders – our special thanks
go to them.”
Linda
Green
writes
“I
am delighted to have had a smooth handover from
Emma who has put so much into developing Weekenders in the last year
– what a
lovely bunch of people! I look forward to getting to know you all
better in the
next weeks.”
Weekenders
runs
social evenings once
a fortnight on a Friday evening at Cherry Trees in St. Peters Hospital
between 5-8pm and we also enjoy planned outings every six weeks. Anyone
interested in Weekenders can call Linda Green on 07812 075604 or leave
a message
for her at Villa 1 on 01621 876718.
