On Wednesday 8th March, champions gathered in a snow-covered Dudson Centre for the Community Health Champions Spring Celebration. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, 15 champions braved the cold to join us for updates, presentations from our “Make it Happen” grant-holders, and some arts and crafts kindly provided by Urban Expression Cobridge. 

Urban Expression Cobridge were kind enough to bring along some crafts for the event, and spoke about the importance of expressing yourself through creativity – something they’ve built into the creative crafts and sewing group they deliver in their “Angel” community hub. Cat and Shakeela told the group about how their sessions have helped to reduce isolation within their local community, and how they’ve been able to build a solid community group, where people can share skills and interests in a safe and comfortable environment. They also shared some images of the crafts which attendees at their group have completed, including some tiles from a workshop where they worked with clay.

Hilary from the Beth Johnson Foundation told us about their Make it Happen grant project in collaboration with the North Midlands Older LGBT Group. The project provides free and friendly digital drop-in sessions for older people in Stoke on Trent.  The sessions helps to reduce isolation for older people in Stoke-on-Trent, while helping them to build digital skills. Volunteer Digital Friends at the sessions help the participants to build their skills and confidence, linking them to health apps, health appointments, wellbeing, and community groups. 

Hilary also spoke about the opening of Beth Johnson Foundation’s new community library, open every Thursday from 10:00am-12:00pm at their community space in Hartshill (64 Princes Road).

Despite being unable to make it to the session, Andrea from Fegg Hayes Futures sent some information about how the organisation has used their Make it Happen funding towards their Community Lounge.

The reason we wanted to feature successful applicants from the last round of Make it Happen grants is because the fund is coming back! A great opportunity to form partnerships with other champions, Can you help “Make it Happen”?