Community Club

The Pitch

Problem statement

Loneliness affects people of any age with those who are single, in poor health or having limiting conditions at particular risk of often feeling lonely and having mental health problems like depression & anxiety. The CRUMBS Project is a disability training charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues from a training centre based within Hibberd Court assisted living (sheltered accommodation) in Bournemouth. There’s a large Hibberd Court communal common room where residents age 50+ dine and occasionally meet however due to the pandemic compounding social isolation it’s underutilised by residents and CRUMBS trainees who have limited interactions and engagement.

Solution

Creating the ‘Community Club’ to bring Hibberd Court residents (many of whom live alone with limited opportunities to socialise) and CRUMBS trainees (who are disadvantaged adults) together at regular events to provide socialising and relationship building opportunities. We will establish fortnightly lunch and activity-club sessions where residents and CRUMBS’ trainees can participate in a programme designed to encourage socialising and improve well-being including; art classes, quizzes, bingo, music therapy, guest speakers, craft activities / hobby sessions & board games. Funding will be used to arrange events and purchase materials and equipment to run the Hibberd Community Club sessions.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

The CRUMBS Project is a registered charity operating in line with Charity Commission guidance and regulations including fundraising and budgetary management activities. We work with adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues and have experience of understanding and supporting the needs of disadvantaged adults to help them to gain skills and improve their self-confidence and well-being. We work in conjunction with Hibberd Court assisted living, providing a weekday lunch service and refreshments for residents. This project will be led by CRUMBS staff & volunteers and will be open to CRUMBS’ trainees, Hibberd Court residents and other interested local community members.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

60 people

Expected impact

This community initiative will bring people together to socialise and build relationships and connects the people associated with CRUMBS and Hibberd Court, with potential reach to wider Bournemouth community members who will be invited to participate in lunch/activity-club sessions. Impacts will be measured / understood via: - Number of sessions held, number of different activities offered and participants at each session & new / repeat attendees- Feedback: verbally & through surveys- Utilisation of the common room area / space benefiting the community - Outputs: e.g. collaborative artwork piece on display at Hibberd Court.Soft benefits include increased social interactions with people of different ages (mixing between generations of residents and CRUMBS’ trainees), relationships developed and friendships formed. Activities will provide occupation, reduce isolation and stimulate minds which will help improve health (mental and physical), quality of life and well-being.

Track record

CRUMBS trainees and Hibberd Court residents have been consulted over the creation of the Community Club and the types of activities they would like to see. From Jake (CRUMBS volunteer):“The Community Club will be a great benefit as it’ll give us opportunity to bring people together, have a chat and socialise. It’ll be great to run some quizzes for the Community Club, hold events and activities. Doing Bingo calling is my dream job!” From Jane (CRUMBS trainer & Community Club lead):“I’m really looking forward to the Community Club and getting to know the residents more. It’ll do them and the trainees so much good to have opportunities to come together and try new things” From Marea (Independent Living Officer, Aster Group Hibberd Court):“We welcome opportunities for residents to get out of isolation in their flats and to see and interact with other people. The planned programme of activities for the Community Club and the enthusiasm of the CRUMBS team to support it is inspiring"

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