Vicki Baker (a Community Development Programme Officer from OCVA) recently went to Flo’s – The Place in the Park, where the Connected Community Fund has helped, here is Vicki’s write-up detailing her experience:

Having not visited before, on arriving at Flo’s in Oxford I felt quite overwhelmed (in a good way!) by the warmth that I felt from the place – walking around I thought “this is what being cared for as part of a community feels like”.

I was visiting to go along to a Nature Explorers session – an intergenerational group where preschoolers and their grown-ups learn about a different theme in the natural world, enjoying stories, crafts and games.  A series of these sessions had received support from the Connected Communities Fund.  A meeting earlier in the day meant that travelling across the city for the start of the session might prove tricky so I arrived at the opening time of the café and attended my meeting online from the covered decking.  It proved the perfect spot!

By the time my team meeting finished the café was buzzing and I had just enough time to grab a drink and a late breakfast pastry before heading to meet with Makena, Communities Manager.  Makena gave me a quick tour and explained the themes of Flo’s – Food | Family | Nature.

We made our way over to the NatureEscape garden – the site of a disused miniature golf course now being transformed into a safe space for young children to explore.  Here I met families and volunteers enjoying the outdoors and activities led by Flo’s Community and Family Worker.

Makena went on to show me some of the work that the weekend gardening group had achieved including a brick path and woven edging and teepees for climbing plants.

As it was a Monday I was in luck – a delicious pay-as-you-can meal before I hopped on the bus to continue my working day from home.

Flo’s currently have a number of staff and trustee roles available, to find out how you could get involved in this very special place visit

https://www.flosoxford.org.uk/work-with-us/

And if you’re looking for some summer fun with under-5s take a look at their summer programme

https://www.flosoxford.org.uk/events/#toggle-id-2

 

Lisa Stead, our Community Development Programme Officer, recently went to visit  Cropredy Short Bowls Club, where the Connected Community Fund has helped, here is her write-up:

“This week I headed out in the rain to Cropredy Short Mat Bowls Club at Cropredy Village Hall. The weather had improved by the time I got there, and it was certainly sunny inside where 16 members were either playing bowls, cheekily commenting on other players abilities, or chatting to each other around the room. The atmosphere was buzzing and welcoming.

The Connected Communities Fund has helped make the group sustainable by covering an increase in venue costs, funding an open day for people to try short mat bowls to boost membership and help contribute to hall costs, providing new bowls, a score board (replacing a very old hand-made heirloom!) and other equipment. The recent publicity drive has seen the group grow from 19 to 26 with another two people keen to join.

The club has been going continuously for over 25 years and although most people come from Cropredy, the word is getting out and people are joining from surrounding villages.  One recent recruit is from Mollington, a village nearby and joined because he attended the open-day. He didn’t know anyone before joining but said,’ it’s nice to do something totally different where you can relax, it’s a very friendly group and no one takes it seriously – it’s about fun.’ But he also noted that it’s a very important opportunity to socialise for those who live on their own.

The group is aged 50-90. Their oldest member has been coming 17 years and bowls every week. He said, ’we welcome everyone with open arms, to come along and have a go’ and also noted that he doesn’t bowl any different than he did the first time’! And that’s the point, it’s not about how good you are but about the camaraderie and enjoying time together.

As well as bowls, the group have a Christmas lunch and a ‘food safari’, host a snail race (using home made snails not real ones!), have days out and organise fundraisers. This year they supported Young Dementia as one of the members benefits from the charity’s support.

The newest member who signed up when I was there summed it up nicely,

‘it’s a great group with light hearted banter – it’s a bit of fun and puts a smile on your face.’

I certainly felt the warmth and good humour of the group and even though my bowling left much to be desired, I definitely left with a smile!”

Cropredy Short Mat bowls.

Members of Cropredy Short Mat Bowls Club.