Exciting new volunteering opportunities!

As you probably already know, we've been working on our new project - The Friends Farm Hub- at Otley College recently, and now we'd like some new volunteers to get on board!

What is the Farm Hub?

Our farm hub is small farm where adults 16+ yrs, with additional needs can spend a day each week in small, friendly groups taking part in the setting-up and running of our one-acre site at the Otley College Campus.

Activities on the farm will involve growing fruit, vegetables and flowers, and caring for small farm animals, such as chickens and ducks.

Here's what you'd get to do;

• Help our members get involved with tasks around the farm, whilst encouraging their social and teamwork skills.
• Be involved with cleaning, feeding and caring for the farm animals.
• Take on gardening tasks such as potting up, sowing seeds, growing vegetables, plants and flowers.
• You will also be involved with our team, making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable adults, those people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.

And here's what we can offer you!

• Full training on safeguarding and mental health
• The chance to learn a new hobby or develop upon your own skills.
• Be part of a friendly, like minded team.
• Take part in external talks and demonstrations from local gardening/animal welfare groups.
• Know that you've made a difference to the lives of vulnerable adults.
• Paid out of pocket expenses
• Gain skills/work experience for a new career choice.

If you'd like to get in contact about volunteering, give our Friends Farm Hub Leader, Becky a call on 07802724168, or e-mail becky.fox@thebefriendingscheme.org.uk.

Get Out and About with our new service!

We're offering a brand new service to our members. If you think you'd enjoy a great evening or day trip with friends – Out and About is for you!

This new service gives members a chance to enjoy being part of their community and get to know their local area. Sessions are held in the evenings and at weekends, including trips to the cinema and local snooker club, fish and chip suppers, tenpin bowling, swimming and pub quiz nights.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy these simple activities and gain a sense of social inclusion. We have weekly Out and About memberships available in Sudbury and Haverhill, with Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Felixstowe offering fortnightly memberships.

Prices

Option 1:
Fortnightly- £400 per year
Option 2:
Weekly - £800 per year

Get in touch!

The TBS football team plays in the FA People’s Cup!

Kirkley and Pakefield Befriending Scheme Team, TBS’ very own football team, played in the FA People’s Cup in London on Sunday!

Everyone had been hoping to secure a place at the
London event and a top of the table win in Ipswich on 24th February sealed it!

 It was a fantastic day for the team, led by manager Bob and accompanied by CEO of TBS Shirley Moore (a self-confessed football fanatic!) and Co-ordinator Christine Roe.

The team missed out on a place in the semi-finals by a single point, but spirits remained high, and everyone was just happy to have had an exciting day meeting other teams and playing competitive football.

Featuring TBS members from the Lowestoft area the team has has gone from strength to strength in the last couple of years playing at events throughout Suffolk, including the
Suffolk Football Associations Ability Counts League.

The opportunity to play at the FA People’s Cup was a tremendous achievement for all the players and a first for Kirkley and Pakefield FC. We congratulate them. Bring on the next match!

Find out more about the FA People’s Cup at http://www.thefa.com/competitions/the-fa-peoples-cup 

A Message from our CEO, Shirley Moore

Just wanted to update everyone about our new services starting in March 2018.  We have listened to our members and looked at the findings of the research completed in Suffolk during the last couple of years.  We learnt that people wanted more choice about how they spent their time and that they also wanted to spend more of their evenings and weekends on leisure activities.  So, since October last year when we first talked about making some changes for 2018, the team have been working on a plan to update our membership options.

Volunteers needed!

Hi everyone, we are in need of volunteers at our parent and children Hadleigh 'Better Together' group! If you, or someone you know, can spare a couple of hours on a Monday morning please get in touch!

Co-op members choose The Befriending Scheme!

Since 12th November 2017, countless kind Co-op members have chosen to donate 1% of their shopping bill to The Befriending Scheme, totalling a whopping £350.90!

Co-op’s Local Community Fund allows Co-op card holders to donate 1% of what they spend on selected own-brand products and services to a local charity or community project.

The Befriending Scheme is in the running as one of the chosen charities until October of this year, so if you’re a Co-op member, don’t forget to donate!