UDEVELOP HAVE BEEN BUSY BRINGING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN CHORLEY EAST

These last few months have been certainly ones to document with some amazing case studies and improvements up in Chorley East area. We and our amazing partners have delivered so many programmes ranging from Yoga, Jolly Totz, Rhymicality, Shimmy Shakers, Revive Pilates, delivering warm space services with arts and crafts, personal development programmes such as basic computer skills and the launch of our Royal Society of Public Health qualification that can really improve mindsets, change behaviours in an informed approach and provide the locals with qualifications as well as targeting health inequalities in the area. We have really seen the community come to life!!!

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SKILLS WAS A HIT AND THE LOCALS WANT MORE AND MORE SESSIONS!!!

In September we had 171 people visit the centre, that’s not including the private bookings, these groups are in weekly!

Some big news now - we have managed to bring people out of isolation and invite new groups into our community drop ins and create a fabulous drop in that sees a constant 20-25 people come into the centre on a Thursday which we love to see. People come to the drop in for social opportunities whilst enhancing their confidence in group settings, some want to be apart of the crafts group, some even like to bring their computers or tablets so we can assist them.

UDevelop saw the need and thought it would be ideal to open up the space for more warm space opportunities for the people up in Chorley East and we have opened up on a Monday afternoon from 2:30pm - 4:30pm this has seen up to 6 people from the local community come in and want to talk about their digital questions. We have managed to sort out 4 local residents with opportunities to gain Free donated equipment from the wonderful partners at SELNET. Thank you so much SELNET!!!

Barbara receiving her tablet and now she can speak with family and do an online shop

4 Ladies can now access their equipment and keep in touch with families, friends and even do online shops.

A fabulous case study from a wonderful woman called Susan

When I first attended a public meeting where Caroline introduce herself and the aims of UDevelop in the community I must admit I was very sceptical that I would benefit by anything they had to offer, oh how wrong I was.

I have become almost a permanent fixture at the Community Centre.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the drop in chats, each session can be wildly different, one day a simple chit chat, the next we are being shown how to make origami frogs, decorate candles and plant pots and much more in the pipeline . Caroline has been a steering hand and has managed to bring all different genres of the community together.

One of the groups I would never have seen myself participate in was the Walk and Talk, I have asthma and convinced myself it was not for me, but Caroline persuaded me to give it a go, I am now doing circuits of the park myself on days when the community centre is not running,I will never make a Mo Farrah but I want to push myself each and every time, Another great thing about the Walk and Talk is that you can encourage others and talking about their hopes,fears plans or you can just be a silent listening ear.I can now walk to the shops and back without having to use my inhaler, a major feat for me.

The warm space and chit chat sessions are a booster for me, I have never chatted and socialised with so many different people in many years. In the current fuel crisis it is going to be a lifeline to pensioners like me to spend a few hours in the warmth without being worried over the cost.

The courses have been varied and it is due to one course in particular that I have been able to produce this email. I was a novice on the computer just a few weeks ago but thanks to Caroline and her UDevelop support I can now compose an email, use Microsoft and communicate with my family in Australia much easier via my new device.

I am looking forward to many more courses and projects in the coming months and I am determined to offer my help back to the growing UDevelop community.

Here is another wonderful case study from Angela in Chorley East

Dear Caroline

You have changed my life so much even though it has only been a few weeks.

The Digital course

It is amazing and being able to now have the ability to keep in touch with family and friends is for nominal thanks to the laptop you have given me.

The tutor always explains everything again if you are not sure.

The downside is that the size of the room can make you claustrophobic.

The RSPH course

Having you as the tutor is amazing for the following reasons .

You explain everything in a language that we can understand .

You let everyone speak if they want to .

You make Learning fun .

The group has just the right amount of people in it without being overwhelming.

I am learning a lot about my own health and well being

The walk and talks

A fabulous idea.

I wasn’t sure at the start but when i do them I feel so much better.

The art /crafts/chatting

We have such a laugh.

We can chat with our new friends

A space to forget our problems for a while or chat about them if we want.

The warm space

A fabulous idea especially at this time of year

My overall experience so far

I was very nervous at the start but the more I attend the more I enjoy it.

Caroline

You are an awesome, amazing, inspirational lady who makes everyone feel so much better about themselves.

So thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me .

I really do appreciate the way you have helped me

Singing for wellbeing has been launched this week with St James Church and we are running this every fourth Monday of each month.

More opportunities coming to Tatton community centre in November!!

We have Winter resilience session so people can feel prepared for the winter with signposting opportunities and coping mechanisms

Tatton Christmas Fair on Saturday 25th November from 12-2pm. This is an event for the community and we have lots of wonderful partners coming along and even a school choir to sing

Christmas lunch with the residents - We have teamed up with Whimsy and we will be running a christmas lunch and afternoon party for Chorley East peopl