Help
Mayflower Theatre hosts joint venture with charity lunch club
| Published: 8th April 2019 16:59 |
A WEEKLY lunch club run by a Southampton church is benefitting from a community project set-up by the city's Mayflower Theatre (April 2019).
The Haven Lunch Club at St Mark's Church, run in partnership with the charity Communicare, is participating in Mayflower Theatre's Pepperland Project, which includes a talk and workshop, culminating in a performance and Q&A session.
Annie Clewlow, Manager at Communicare, which aims to help eradicate isolation and loneliness, said: "Mayflower Theatre has offered our Haven Lunch Club members the opportunity to take part in an exclusive, bespoke activity package based around the Mark Morris Dance Group's performance of Pepperland, which is a lively and colourful performance inspired by The Beatles album: ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'."
The activities include a talk, workshop and then the chance to see a matinee performance at the theatre and take part in a special post-show Q&A with the production's composer and dancers.
"The partnership kicked off on Friday, April 5 with a Talk & Reminiscence Session at St Mark's Church with lunch included. Attendees were able to find out about the history of the theatre and how shows are put on. The talk was followed by a reminiscence session accompanied by a series of materials from the theatre's archive.
"The next event takes place on April 12. This includes the chance to join in with a singing for wellbeing and drama workshop. This workshop is ideal for all abilities, as the theatre team works as a group with participants to build confidence through song. This session also includes lunch.
"The final part of the partnership takes place on Saturday, April 20 at Mayflower Theatre for the matinee performance of Pepperland. After watching the show, those who attend will be invited to a post-show Q&A with the production's composer and dancers. The project has been kindly subsidised by Southampton City Council, as part of their Adult Learning programme."
Communicare is a friendly, neighbourhood charity that enriches the lives of lonely and isolated people in and around the city.
Annie continued: "The Haven Lunch Club in Archers Road is run by St Mark's Church in partnership with Communicare and staffed by church volunteers alongside our committed, kind-hearted Communiteers, who act as good neighbours, generously providing a weekly natter, cuppa, lunch and a game of Scrabble or similar social activities, as well as other practical and emotional support.
"We have lots more people who would like to come along to our club, but they need help getting to it and we urgently need more volunteer drivers to provide just a little bit of time each week to help. We also have spaces available for anyone who would like to join the club and is able to make their own way to it without our assistance."
Communicare currently has around 200 Communiteers across the city but wishes to double this number to be able to support more people through all the services it offers, not just the lunch club.
"We're keen to hear from individuals who can help, even if they have just 30 minutes every now and then to spare, and, also, groups that already operate in the community who could help, such as Neighbourhood Watch groups, book clubs, WI groups, flower arranging clubs, all sorts really.
"Even when people have only a few minutes to spare and are not available on a regular basis, there are ways in which they can really help to make a difference to someone who needs support."
Communiteers are offered simple and basic training on topics such as safeguarding, manual handling and developing listening skills. They can choose their level of involvement and the types of activities they wish to engage in too.
Communicare's Good Neighbours' Network supports nearly 350 individuals/families annually in Southampton, covering more than 600 different tasks such as one-to-one befriending and transport to activities. All the assistance offered is free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
For further details of the Pepperland Project, The Haven lunch club or to become a Communiteer, please call 023 8021 6022, visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk or follow the charity on Twitter at @Communicare_SO or log on to www.facebook.com/CommunicareInSouthampton.
Report this article as inappropriate
Comments
You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.
Loading...
Help