News
Farewells & Welcomes
Much has happen over the last 3 months, with the comings and goings of staff. Firstly, we say goodbye to Ella Huffman and Amelia Best our former Administrators. Their contribution to the accomplishments over the last 18 months to the St Sidwells’ Centre has been invaluable and vital. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them the very best and every success in the future. The thank you’s don’t end there. George Best deserves praise for covering at short notice but proving to be very capable during the interim period.
Now the goodbyes are over, its time to welcome the new office manager Jason McNamara. Jason has a wealth of experience from the private sector and is keen to share his knowledge and gain experience from the voluntary sector. Jason has already proved popular with customers, volunteers and users of the Centre. A warm welcome to Sue Dziewanowski who will facilitate the caretaking duties. Sue has been volunteering with the St Sidwells Centre for 6 months as a person Friday (do odd jobs around the building) and now will take a more active role on a temporary basis.
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St Sidwell’s Centre Wins Queens Award for Volunteering!
The St Sidwell’s Community Café has been awarded the Queens Award for volunteering. The award is the equivalent of the MBE which is awarded to individuals for the contribution to communities, sport and arts.
The award is in recognition of the contribution the volunteers have achieved since the volunteer café has re-opened in November 2005.
The contribution of the volunteers to the Cafe has been second to none and without their enthusiasm and perseverance the café would not be the success it is today. Sue Pearce said” it is a wonderful honour to receive this award. It has been extremely good that someone else has identified the work that the café volunteers have contributes to the centre”.
There has been a ceremony at Devon County Council with the Lord Lieutenant making the presentation to the group on behalf of the Queen. The group where given a crystal decorative piece and certificate signed by the Queen to mark their achievement. This is the first of two events, as 4 volunteers have been invited to Buckingham Palace, later in the year, for a tea Party with the Queen in attendance.
This has been a remarkable achievement for the not only the Café volunteers but the many patrons that have contributed to its success. A big thank you should be given to the two nominators and they are Sally Lougher ECI and Jacqui Stevens Stroll-on Exeter.
The Café is now opened on Fridays from 10.30am-2pm, so if you have been unable to come along before. Come and sample the menu which is local food, affordable and healthy.
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St Sidwells goes it alone!
On Tuesday 1st April 2008, St Sidwell’s Centre became an independent organisation. The project was set up in 2000 by Exeter Community Initiatives, and has been ably supported and managed by that organisation ever since. However, the Centre is now mature enough to stand on its own two feet, and has been set up as a small charity in its own right.
In April the Centre held it first board meeting post independence and elected 6 trustees to the Board. We have as much as possible tried to gain a wide variety of skills and experience, from the users, groups, volunteers and users of the St Sidwell’s Centre. The aim is to develop the centre’s partnership with the community, to building a stronger, healthier, more inclusive community.
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News
Letters (click to
view)
~ Summer 2008
~ Spring 2008
~ December 2007
~ September 2007
~ June 2007
~ March 2007
~ December 2006
~ September 2006
(For help with opening the above PDF files click
here)
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Events
Open day at St Sidwell's Centre - Saturday 13th September, 11am-2pm
It's that time of year again when we welcome friends old and new to the centre to enjoy our open day and get a taste of the facilities and courses that will be available during the autumn season and beyond.
It's shaping up to be a great day, full of activities for all the family, including complementary therapies, music, arts and crafts and food. We view it as a real opportunity to welcome new users to the centre as well as a forum for all our friends to get together for a well deserved day of fun.
The St Sidwell's Centre open day will be held on 13 th Sept 2008 from 11am - 2pm
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