The vision of Hetton New Dawn Group is to work with members of the local community to plan and organise activities for elderly people who are socially isolated within the community and surrounding areas. These activities are to help maintain independent living, build self-esteem, promote the development of friendships and companionship and to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Hetton New Dawn Workshop
Monday May 14th
Many thanks to Bernadette Askins for running the meeting. During the course we brainstormed:
SHOWING OUR LIGHTS – WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED
IMPACTS – THE CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED
MOVING FORWARD - NEXT STEPS
We came up with some very productive information and debate which will enable us to move forward again this year.
New Dawn Befriending Launch
Monday 16th April 2012
As a seemingly endless supply of enticing home-made cakes, scones, savoury pies and fancies were being laid out to create a veritable mouth-watering feast, the question on the lips of the organisers was simply, “We hope that people come.” As high noon slowly approached at the Centre Point Hall, the publicity and prayers slowly but surely began to be answered in a very real way.
What the committee of New Dawn Befrienders could only have dreamed of, was suddenly a reality and we had to quickly arrange more chairs as almost 50 folks came to hear what this new scheme was all about. Local representatives of Councils, housing bodies, New Dawn supporters and potential volunteers enjoyed a time to meet and eat as they ‘networked’ together. (The posh term for talking to each other!)
The occasion was magnificently supported by Councillor Ethel Richardson, not only Mayor Of Hetton but also a faithful friend to New Dawn projects. Headlining the launch was the guest speaker Jeremy Sharpe, founder of the Link Visiting Scheme in Berkshire. Jeremy was so willing to support the launch he made a 600 mile round trip just to be with us for that time. Jeremy’s comprehensive presentation illustrated how our New Dawn scheme could develop, as from similar humble beginnings in 1996, the Link Visiting Scheme has now grown to 180 volunteers and has 130 client recipients, whose lives are benefitting from such regular contact.
We were reminded that the issue of ‘Loneliness’ is no respecter of age or position and the health of those who are affected can be seriously undermined. The launch is only the very first and small step as we hope and pray that our efforts will positively impact on those who need this service. It was also an occasion to thank a number of people for enabling the initiative to become a reality. In particular Linda Kinchenton’s commitment and overall hard work was recognised and as a small token of appreciation, Linda was presented with a bouquet of flowers. Linda now prepares to leave the area and serve as a Deacon in the Methodist Church in the Birmingham district this summer.
It is really exciting to consider what the future holds for the New Dawn Befriending scheme. We know the problem of loneliness exists both locally and beyond. To this end, our challenge and our response therefore remains, “Are we to be part of the problem OR are we part of the solution?” The Rev. James Menzies closed in prayer reminding us that it is not only in our human strength or endeavours that this will happen.
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The Group has also established links with a local allotments group and ELCAP. The local allotment offers an outlet for their produce during the growing season. The aim is to buy vegetables and fruit for use at the weekly lunch club.
More information about launch
The Project activities provided are at Hetton and Eppleton Community Hall
 B Active & B Fit : Tuesday 11.30am-12.30pm - £2.00 per session weekly
 Indoor Bowls: Tuesday 1.0pm-3.0pm - £2.00 per session includes refreshments weekly
 Lunch Club: Wednesday 10.0am-1.0pm Tea/coffee & biscuits served from 10.30am. Enjoy a game of bingo and raffle, plus a two course meal at £3.50. weekly
 Hetton Local History Group: Last Monday of the month 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
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