Smiles all round this Summer Holidays at Saints

As we head into Autumn after a long, hot summer- we’re looking back at what a busy few months we have had at Saints Central.

Valued Volunteers

In June, we celebrated some of our loyal volunteers with an afternoon tea and quiz for volunteer week. Volunteers enjoyed cakes and treats as a small way of showing how grateful we are for their continued service.

We also welcomed four new volunteers, who helped out over the summer holidays with activities, café support and cooking. Volunteers were particularly invaluable in helping out on our event days, such as our summer craft market.

Our seasonal markets are just one way we like to support small and start up businesses so we were thrilled host yet another successful trading day and are looking forward to our Autumn and Winter markets!

Beating the summer holiday boredom!

We had a jam-packed programme of activities to keep families entertained this summer. Not only did we have free craft activities for kids two mornings every week- we also hosted a free fun days every Thursday. Each week, The George Muller Hall was transformed into a zone for play, movement, and discovery. From circus skills and sports, to silent discos and laser tag- there was something for everyone! We also hosted sensory days again this year, after great feedback from last year, particularly aimed at neurodivergent children or those with SEN.

Amongst all the great feedback we had, what stood out was how much parents appreciated having somewhere to bring their children that didn’t cost an arm and a leg.

One mum from the local area said ‘we had an amazing summer, thanks to you’.

As well as activities, we had food covered too. Every school holiday we provide free breakfast for children and this summer holidays was no different. Every child through the door started their day with toast or cereal, a piece of fruit, and a carton of fruit juice. It’s one of the way we show our commitment to improving access to nutritious food for all. Over the six week holidays we gave out over 300 breakfasts to children.

Working Together

We couldn’t have pulled off such a fun-filled summer without support from our national and local partners. We were grateful to The Kings Lodge for providing their time and resources at our circus skills day, and also to All Saints Church in Bedworth for setting up and running a much enjoyed laser tag event. Also to local charity Roots to Branches Autism Network, who kindly allowed us to borrow their sensory equipment.

As part of the National Year of Reading’s #goallin campaign, we were kindly provided with a range of children books to give out during our book themed crafts by the National Literacy Trust. It’s just one way that we have supported to campaign to get people reading for fun, and we are planning to have even more reading related activities going into the winter.

The Big Feed’s Big Impact

In the spirit of collaboration, we were thrilled to also partner with MIRA and Thomas Franks for the ‘Big Feed’!

The Big Feed initiative turns surplus food that would otherwise go to waste into nutritious meals for people and communities who need them - making a difference while tackling food waste.

The Thomas Franks team, along with volunteers, prepared 600 meals that were donated to the Saints café, benefitting the local community with a ‘pay what you can afford’ scheme. A huge thank you to the Thomas Franks Foundation team for running the event, MIRA Tech Park , and the volunteers who gave their time - including the team from Jodie Gosling MP’s office.

It was fantastic to see our community come together to support another local organisation and make a tangible difference right here in Nuneaton.

Prioritising People and the Planet

In July, we were approached by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Warwickshire Climate Alliance to screen The People’s Emergency Briefing. The 90 minute film asks leading experts the facts on climate change and aims to educate the public and empower local communities to work with their MP’s to tackle the issues.

Having worked closely with Warwickshire Climate Alliance for the past year, setting up and growing our, now monthly, ‘Repair Café’, we were more than happy to work with them again in setting up the screening.

The screening had a good turnout, with lots of local people as well as councillors and local groups like Attleborough Wildlife Watchers, joining in the discussion after the film. We were also joined by the Coventry Diocese Net Zero Carbon Project Officer, who was able to share the good work the Diocese is doing in mobilising Churches and schools to reduce their carbon footprint.