Jean Myers hub: Stockport Local Fund supporting communities through Covid
The Jean Byers Community Hub, is a thrive of activity, has been open since September 2019 providing a local base to deliver a range of projects and activities that empower and up skill residents.
The Jean Byers Community Hub (formally known as Bredbury Hub) based in Bredbury Stockport has been able to reach out to people who are isolated and struggling during COVID-19, thanks to Stockport Local Fund.
The Jean Byers Community Hub, is a thrive of activity, has been open since September 2019 providing a local base to deliver a range of projects and activities that empower and up skill residents. The Hub is resident led and run on a voluntary basis with support from MSV Housing. On a weekly basis they hold coffee mornings, afternoon tea and craft sessions, providing a safe place for the community to get together, meet new friends and have fun.
Activities are also included for younger residents such as Christmas Parties, Easter Egg Hunts, Craft Sessions, Fun Days and football coaching events.
Cath Coombe, Treasurer at The Jean Byers Community Hub explains:
“We care about our community and like to bring the local people together. We believe connecting our community makes us a stronger and happier place to live. We applied and were successful in obtaining Funding from the Stockport Local Fund, as we want to reach out to people who are isolated and struggling during COVID-19.
“The Cook-along-with project is an innovative online offer which will be run through volunteers at the Jean Byers Community Hub, with support from the Community Projects Team at Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Association. The hub uses a personable approach to encourage those to take part with active members delivering classes – be that cook-along with, bingo, quizzes and online boardgames. The cook-along-with will be focussing on healthy nutritional meals (feeding the mind, body and soul), dishes will be those featured with a back story, bringing the personal touch.
“Those signed up who are struggling during COVID-19 will receive the main ingredients to recreate the dish, which we will be sourcing from local businesses. The sessions will be recorded and available online to encourage people to get online and chat with fellow community members and discuss their own experiences.
“We want to broaden the culinary repertoire and most importantly have fun. Part of the funding will go towards hardware (tablets/laptops) for our own lending library helping those without facilities to get online and stay connected. The online bingo, quizzes, boardgames and tea & chat will also benefit from this lending library, helping to reach out to those vulnerable and socially isolated. This is not only helping connect people, but build life skills not just in the kitchen, but with technology. Once they are confident and comfortable, we ensure to continue this way of engagement with our community members.”
