Our fabulous and very popular Pop Disco is on Tuesday 14th November from 6.30-8.30pm at Frome Town Football Club, Badgers Hill, Frome.
Come along and join Elaine Power for Zumba dance fun.
All the favorites to get moving and friends to meet up with.
We will be running our cafe for refreshments. Looking forward to seeing you there.
New Puzzle Swap project.
If you love jigsaw puzzles we have an opportunity for you. Pod volunteers are running a Puzzle Swap on Monday evenings once a month at the Cheese & Grain from 6-7.30 pm. Starting tomorrow night 11th Sept, we will have lots of puzzles to choose from.
Bring along a puzzle to swap for just £1 or buy one for £3. You can also bring along a puzzle mat and start puzzling while you chat.
We have an affordable cafe linked to our Monday Bingo serving hot & cold drinks and snacks. The Cheese & Grain cafe will also be open.
The next Puzzle Swap dates are 9th Oct , 13th Nov.
Hope to see you there.
JAMM parent Carer group returns Monday 11th September
With schools back from the summer break, it is time for you to take a pause. Come along to our “Just a Monday Meet Up” – once a month on Monday mornings and meet up with other parent carers. This group is whatever you want to make it. If you have suggestions for what is helpful to you, please let us know and we can try to make it happen.
Facilitated by Pod staff and trustees we will be there with the kettle on and a safe, non-judgmental space to discuss challenges or share tips. Or chill and chat about the everyday stuff of life.
We are at Gorehedge Community Room, Frome BA11 1JB, from 10-12 am.
Following JAMM dates- 2nd Oct, 6th Nov, 4th Dec.
Hope to see you there.
Children’s Festival Scrap Fun.
At the Children’s Festival on 23rd July, Pod Scrapstore volunteers ran a craft area using scrap materials and a lot of imagination! Lots of fun for children and adults together. And free craft materials were given away for summer holiday crafting.
Beautiful puppets, boats, rockets and so much more were made but the visitors to our stand.
We couldn’t have done it without our team of Pod Plus and community volunteers. Thanks to you all. And thanks to Purple Elephant for organising another fantastic event.
It is great to be part of such a wonderful community.
New Venue and Day for Workshop
Workshop is a supported creative space for adults with additional needs. A place to learn new craft skills, share your creative ideas and meet new people.
We can now offer a fully accessible space at Colliers Court, Manor Rd, Frome.
The group is currently running on Monday 3rd and 17th July from 10am-3pm.
Half days are also available 10-12.30 or 12.30-3pm, if you would like to come along and give it a try.
If staying all day, bring your lunch, hot drinks are available.
To book a place contact Becky 07546781615 or email becky@thepodcharity.org.uk
We also continue to run Workshop on Saturdays at The Remakery, Edventure, Welshmill Hub. However this venue is not accessible to all. For details contact Becky as above.
Pod Pop Silent Disco on 13th June
We are getting ready to boogie again at our Pod Pop Disco on 13th June 6.30-8.30 pm. At the Masonic Hall, North Parade, Frome.
The group voted for this months theme to be a Silent Disco, always a favorite. Fun for all, and you can have a chat to friends when you are having a rest. Refreshments available. Pay on the door. £5 members £6 non-members.
Open Water Swim Challenge Fundraiser for Zone
Co-Charity Manager Becky Bird and her husband Greg are training to complete a 750 m Open Water Swim at Blackpool Sands, Devon on 10th June. and building fitness for the challenge. Neither have previously swum in open water and this challenge involves overcoming some fear of deep water . But it is all in a very good cause.
Zone our young carers projects supports children who are experiencing the challenges of additional responsibility from being a carer for a sibling or parent. The group gives them time to be young , have fun, relax or expel energy in a positive way.
Please click the link below to find out more about the sponsored challenge or to donate.
http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/openwaterswimchallengebirds
The challenge was completed despite strong tides and jellyfish!
To date the Total Giving amount was £1,589 plus some cash sponsors.
Thanks were given by Zone to our two big sponsors, Picon (Print Industry Confederation) and Aspire Competitions for helping boost this fantastic total.
Becky said “We are amazed and delighted by peoples generosity which made it all worthwhile. This exceeded our hopes.”
Thank you to all those who have sponsored us so far.
Scrapstore is back by popular demand.
We are holding another Pop Up Event in a different venue.
Come along to Vallis Youth Centre, Vallis Rd Frome on
Saturday 11th March from 1-4pm.
We are focusing on families and will have the usual craft activities for children and Purple Elephant offering a play space for tots.
But teachers and childcare professionals or community groups are always welcome.
Refreshments will also be available on site. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cake.
Entrance is £1 with children under 12 yrs FREE.
Bring a bag for life if you can, but we will have bags to purchase if you forget.
Our amazing Pod Member Volunteers who are all adults with additional needs are running the event. They ask you to be patient and kind as they are all learning new skills by volunteering in this project. They want to give good service to the Frome Community, but ask for your support in return. Scrapstore is a joyful place where we, in conjunction with the Kindness Festival , ask everyone to be respectful and kind. It takes time to learn new skills and gain confidence.
Come along and grab a bargain or inspiration to get creative or playful. There really is something for everyone at Scrapstore.
Spread the word!!
The venue has some parking, but be aware it may be busy. Please look out for children and pedestrians carrying large amounts of scrap when entering or leaving the car park.
Family Fun For All – Silent Disco
Come along on and boogie. We have music on 3 channels for all ages and musical tastes. Good family fun!!
Friday 24th Feb from 6.30-8.30pm at Trinity Church Hall.
Tickets £5 for headphones £2 parent carer entrance.
Available from admin@thepodcharity.org.uk or call 07842110574
Bar and soft drink and snacks available.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Scrapstore draws crowds.
On Tuesday 15th Nov we held another amazing Scrapstore event at the Cheese and Grain.
Our wonderful team of Pod Plus members were supported to run the event which saw over 300 people attend and buy our scrap.
The Mayor of Frome also attended and personally thanked the Pod Plus members and all volunteers for their hard work and for bringing this community resource to Frome.
Scrapstore is another project developed by Pod with members who have requested an opportunity to gain work experience in a supported way.
We are working closely with the team to help them feel confident in their roles and to be able to carry these skills on into the future and hopefully gain paid employment.
The hope is that one day we will have a permanent premises and presence in Frome offering bespoke work experience for adults with disabilities through this business model.
The Scrapstore event raised almost £1400 for Pod, but it was the members who worked so hard and served their Frome Community which is the greatest success.
The next Scrapstore is planned in January. Date to be confirmed. This will be publicised on social media and posters around the town.
We are very grateful for the support of the community in this project. But we also ask all who attend to remember that everyone who is working at these events is a volunteer and many have additional needs or disabilities which may be hidden. Kindness, respect, encouragement and inclusion is at the heart of everything Pod does.
We hope this will continue within Scrapstore and that Frome will get behind this amazing project and the Young Adults who have inspired and co-designed it.
See you at the next event!
