Page 56 - Phonebox Magazine May 2013

NEW PLANS FOR OLD HALL
Exciting plans to reorder Olney’s Grade II listed church hall into a venue that will serve the community are well underway. Several new groups and
events alongside the existing users will benefit from the changes. A new kitchen, disabled access and toilets will form part of the internal plans.
These changes will provide great facilities for several new community ventures which include a memory club for residents suffering from failing memory, and an after-school milkshake café for the town’s teenagers.
The Parish Church Council of St Peter and St Paul, as part of its SoulTime Programme, has had plans drawn up, obtained planning permission, raised £85k towards the cost of upgrading and refurbishing, and is hoping to complete the mammoth fundraising for the balance within the next few months, with the work planned to take place during the summer school holidays.
The Rector of St Peter and St Paul Olney, the Rev Claire Wood, says that both the church and the many people and organisations in Olney to whom she has spoken, are excited about the SoulTime enterprises. “Many have written letters of support, come forward as volunteers to help and some have generously donated money.” She prays many more will do so. “Research continues to underline that through the provision of additional voluntary services, we can build on our town’s tradition, in which generous giving of time and money have made a positive difference.”
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MEMORY CLUB
She pointed out that there were more than 2000 people in Olney who were over 60 years old. “Statistics currently predict that 1% of those aged over 65 yrs will have developed some form of memory loss or degeneration. This rises to 25% for those who are aged 85 years and over. “
“Difficulty in remembering can make the individual feel frustrated, isolated and very vulnerable. Memory clubs help to reduce this and can really be a huge benefit to sufferers and their families and carers.
“Attendees at our memory club will be assured of a warm, welcoming venue where they can enjoy memory- stimulating experiences, learn memory-assistance techniques and maintain confidence and well-being. They will enjoy support which is appropriate for the individual, and a programme designed by trained specialists that will include memory- stimulating activities including music, mind- challenge puzzles, creation of memory books, and other individual and group activities – all carefully chosen so that no person will feel lost or vulnerable.
“The main objectives are to make each person feel comfortable and free from stress through the use of memory-assistance techniques that will build enjoyment and confidence and a sense of security and friendship. There will be an additional benefit for carers who will have access to resources and volunteers who can help and advise on how to assist those coping with memory loss.
SOULTIME CAFÉ
The SoulTime café will be a once-weekly, afternoon and early-evening event. Terry Isles and Nic Blackmore, the town’s youth-workers are keen to have this additional facility, which is not intended to be a Youth Club, but rather a complementary facility providing a safe meeting venue where teenagers can get together, relax and learn new skills that they can put into practice running the project.
The hall will be set up café style. Refreshments such as milk shakes, coffee, tea, etc. will be provided and an environment created in which teenagers will be able to meet up, talk and play games.
The Rev Wood pointed out that more than 600 students attended the secondary school, and although the town had good facilities for those who enjoyed sport, with a very strong rugby, football, tennis and running club, and a youth club, there remained a large number who struggled to find a venue where they could ‘hang out’ safely.
A recent survey of over 150 students at Ousedale Olney campus confirmed that over 140 were keen to have a ‘café’ style drop-in, at which they could meet their friends, access support (counselling etc) if needed, and, for some, learn new skills. The SoulTime café/ milkshake bar was the idea of the young people themselves and more than 50 of those surveyed said they would like to be part of the volunteer team.