A thought that came to mind in the cool of the early morning on what is forecast to be another hot day in Norton.
It’s not a Shed day (it’s the weekend) and inevitably the thought came – what’s to do today? It was very quickly followed by thoughts of what’s to be said on Wednesday July 10th at 1pm! That is our opportunity to speak to a group of GP staff and supporters/collaborators about the Shed. We received an invitation this week because of a suggestion by our supportive Social Prescribing Link Workers.
From time to time these opportunities come up. There are different strategies depending on the audience, because there are many ways in which the Shed phenomenon can be explained. None of them really gives full account of the real life experience of being there. One of the best ways (as the two local MP’s discovered) is to hear from the horses’ mouths of Shedders, who are a very mixed bag of individuals (thank goodness).
When giving a talk it is helpful to have an “angle” that is aimed at the particular audience. What then to say to “medics” other than to include the mention of “very nearly an armfull!”.
Humour is the best medicine but we need to spend the time more valuably on explaining how we feel the Shed complements (in some ways does work as part of the NHS service). The voluntary sector (unpaid volunteers) have been a backbone of community help of many kinds for centuries. Way back to the start of education for the needy, hospitals for the needy and the transformation of village values of neighbour help into a necessarily organised way to serve a bigger community like a town.
Volunteering (actually just doing what should come naturally) is not a job or a role but a mindset called compassion. Simply caring about others in our own interests.
So, Graham and 3D Paul will meet a doctor or two, maybe. Although these days there is increasing specialism and the introduction of Social Prescribing Link Workers is that. It is taking the role that a single person did and cutting off some limbs to relieve pressure and putting in place new ways to provide them through people in services with greater on-the-ground locality knowledge because that is their main function.
Some words and phrases in the above can be brought together in the order they were used – Social Prescribing Link Workers; mixed bag of individuals; voluntary sector (unpaid volunteers); backbone; a mindset called compassion; on-the-ground locality knowledge.
Frome Shed and people like Patrick (who some Shedders met at the Middlesbrough get together) became core components in the then evolving project that has became a flagship forteam of about 8 overseas groups to come to study. Graham originally joined a team of about 8 from Singapore to meet “the GP”.
Thus, the angle of attack for Wednesday 10th July will be to demonstrate the role and way of working of Norton Men’s Shed in “not just filling time but filling with purpose” for those (mainly men) who are at risk of social isolation.
If you want to read GP Helen Kingston’s account, there is a summary here: https://bhma.org/compassionate-frome-working-towards-a-more-connected-community/
So much in our style of things. All the things that can be done to give purpose if people take advantage.
Independent training provider Springfield Training, which supports learners and employers in Yorkshire and the Humber, including by offering apprenticeships, has celebrated its tenth birthday
Springfield Training was founded by CEO Noel Johnson in 2015 with the mission, in the words of a spokesperson, to “change the world through education, one person at a time.”
Originally founded in Hull in 1995 as Springfield Management Training, the company was re-established in 2015 in Leeds and now delivers apprenticeships and training in such areas as healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, management, business, and marketing.
In 2017, the company relocated to Victoria Court in Morley. Mr Johnson said: “When I built Springfield Training, I set out on a mission, and I’m proud to say that, every day, we move one step closer to achieving it.
“Reflecting on the last ten years is emotional.
“We’ve grown from a single idea into a movement that’s helping to shape lives, careers, and communities.
“What excites me even more is what’s ahead.
“The next ten years are full of opportunity, and with this incredible team, anything is possible. This isn’t just a company, it’s a community.
“We’re helping people see what’s possible, and that’s what makes everything worth it.” [This is precisely what the Whitby/Norton Being As One initiative is about. Expanding outcomes by giving control away! It’s the way Sheds grew.]
Start Doing . . .
People’s Shed journeys often start as a personal restoration project. Stabilisation. The Shed’s purpose is that people go beyond that and into growth. Doing new things, emphasis on both doing and new experiences.
Something new to stretch Graham?
Looks like doll’s furniture possibly. Time will tell.
Middlesbrough Football Club Charity
Staithes Shed and Norton Shed attended the Boro’ ground with games made to help the MFC Foundation with their fundraising. We provided the Play Your Cards Right board.
The Foundation does a lot of community engagement with external groups including Dementia and care homes.
We met Jenny there who until 5 weeks ago worked with the Teesside Charity (organisers of Pitch for Purpose).
Going Loco – latest shots
The tender behind
Letters by Paul. Mounting on board by Walter.
Ray making wheel mounting blocks to Denis’ design.
A very useful visit from Stockton Borough Council yesterday
We were pleased to have a visit from Leannda Mount of Stockton Borough Council. Leannda in fact lives in Norton so she knows the nooks and crannies including the Sports complex.
Leannda saw what was going on and shared in conversation with Shedders to learn what the Shed means to them.
Leannda, Paul and Graham then met to discuss some matters of interest to the Council and ourselves and touch on ways we might share strategy.
Wednesday Skills Shed saw a new man attend
Gordon. A really great guy full of surprises. The surprises are what he can do whilst being completely blind. He’s a man with a great sense of humour and a real talent with computers.
He has a ruggedised laptop with no display screen. Why would he need one? There a bottom row “braille” display that Gordon reads with his fingers – sliding gently across the braille characters. Mind blowing.
The hope is that Gordon will join the “digital team” and that he can have a quiet space in the |Stables extension.
We also worked on a ramps to get Steve’s low slung mobility scooter in and out of the Stables and over the hump avoiding getting grounded. People like Gordon and Steve are impressive for their overcoming mind sets.
We hope to begin telling their personal stories at the Shed. We have a lot to learn from them.
A model of the of the room we hope to use for digital activities and which Gordon may well make home when he’s at the Shed.
Raspberry Pi Dave with head down at the keyboard.
Dave has worked to make his Raspberry Pi synthesise train noises. The screeching of wheels on a curved track.
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