2020 was a very different year for us as, under government guidance, we were required to close the centre due to Covid-19 restrictions. Despite this we were still able to provide over 10,000 hours of activity, both in person and remotely, supporting 1,726 active participants.

Connected Kids - After-school Club

     

The year started well with 27 new children joining the club but sadly as schools closed in March we were also required to close Connected Kids Club. We were lucky to receive some funding to enable a summer holiday programme to take place over 4 weeks in July and August 2020 providing Covid-safe activities, trips and healthy food. Across the year we supported 95 difference children to enjoy time with friends in 'bubbles'. The children were brilliant at complying with all the new rules around hand washing, face coverings, staying in their own 'bubble' and maintaining safe space.

The had some fun activities, many of which took place outdoors to minimise transmission risks. The water play day was very popular as was outdoor bread baking, sewing and puppet making. They were able to enjoy trips to the beach and mini golf. Overall we had 1,108 attendances during 2020 despite only being open for 14 weeks!    

Well Together and P.A.U.S.E. Alcohol Support

Thanks to funding from North Tyneside NHS Clinical Commissioning Group we launched our Well Together project in February of 2020 but this had to adapt to the pandemic restrictions.

Sue Wharton, our Specialist Alcohol Worker was able to switch to telephone support rather than face to face meetings. During this time she continued to work closely with local GP's, Hospital Specialist Nurses, other support services to receive referrals. Across the year she worked with 105 individuals across 752 sessions to help them manage their alcohol consumption, issues which were exacerbated by the lockdown restrictions

Well Together converted to online and outreach activities, encouraging people to prioritise their mental and physical wellbeing through our community garden group, yoga sessions, creative writing, wellbeing calls and wellbeing packs.

As restrictions started to relax staff were able to support people in small groups and with 1-2-1 wellbeing walks, braving the cold and the rain!

Supported Volunteers and Garden Project

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund we recruited a new Volunteer Coordinator, Megan Primrose. We also recruited a new Garden Lead as part of our garden improvement plan, Andy Skinner. Despite both joining Meadow Well Connected two weeks prior to the March 2020 lockdown, Megan and Andy have made a terrific impact on our volunteers and garden spaces.

                                                 

We recruited 22 new volunteers, mainly to work in the gardens, and they were lucky to enjoy some wonderful weather in the summer of 2020. Huge strides have been made to change the way we manage the gardens with a focus on permaculture and other sustainable approaches to growing. We have been making improvements to create new seating areas, repair damaged raised beds and rediscovering plants and flowers that had become overgrown by weeds. Our community gardeners have adopted their own plot but also share their skills and efforts in the wider garden. 

Megan has been working with volunteers to engage with their passions which has resulted in the creation of a seed exchange, garden book group, poetry inspired by being outside and some amazing photographs of birds in our gardens -can you name them?

   

   

Thanks to all our 53 volunteers from 2020 who provided us with over 2,199 hours of help across the year.

We have been gathering case studies over the year and you can find the most recent ones here.

2020 has been a challenging year in so many ways but our staff and volunteers have been creative and adaptable to continue to deliver support to local people. We have been delivering lots of things across the year to keep people feeling positive and supporting those who are struggling including:

• Kids activity and mental wellbeing packs
• Recipe packs
• Wellbeing packs
• Online sessions
• Christmas Cheer Packs
• Santa Letters
• Mobile Santa Grotto
• The Singing Hinnies singing in the street
• Wellbeing calls
• Access to digital equipment and digital training
• Summer holiday activities
• Outdoor groups
• Outdoor Christmas BBQ
• Garden volunteering and much, much more!

Please support our work so we can continue to develop and help more people as we begin our recovery journey from Covid-19 and beyond