Winter 2021 News

Happy New Jubilee Year from all of us...

"As the year 2022 begins, and following Christmas, I wanted to take this opportunity to say to all our customers and volunteers that I hope you all had a happy and peaceful Christmas in whatever circumstance you found yourselves and that you feel ready to take on a New Year. 2021 was another difficult year, but you were all amazing in keeping going , either by just being positive and supportive or getting out and helping  others, or both! Let’s keep our momentum going in 2022 and enjoy celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year.

Winslow Big Society Group remained in action throughout the last  year, is currently functioning fairly much as normal and looking forward to a better 2022. 

As volunteers, we feel so humbled by the number of people who tell us how their lives have been changed by what we do. To us it may seem as nothing, but we know what it means to so many of you.

Happy New Year, from all of us at WBSG, "
Vron 
Picture
Friendship lunch and Gentle Walks
Winslow Big Society now running most of its pre-pandemic activities and some new ones while acting responsibly in the continuing ebb and flow of the Covid Pandemic

Updates will be published here
​
For information on medical services please check the Norden House Surgery website or check their Facebook Page (3W Health)

​We are continuing to try to run as many of our activities that we can in line with government and health authorities’ advice. See below what we are still doing, what we are still unable to do and details of new projects. See also the monthly Winslow Parish news for updates. If you cannot find the answer or in any way need help or wish to help others please contact us: 07508 330750 or email ​contact@winslowbigsocietygroup.info

Note In the event of any future changes details will be posted here or on Facebook  www.facebook.com/WinslowBigSocietyGroup
Need help?
WOULD YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BENEFIT PROM JOINING IN WITH BIG
SOCIETY ACTIVITIES OR USING OUR SERVICES?

For example have you/they:
• Not gone out since pandemic started
• Find that confidence has gone
• Friends or relatives have passed away
• Mobility has decreased
• Now wheelchair bound
• Hearing has deteriorated
• Just missing company
• Would love to have a singalong
• Watch a film with people
• Play a board game
• Just need someone to chat/write to

IF ANY OF THIS FITS YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, DO MAKE CONTACT
TO FIND OUT MORE.CONTACT

WBSG hotline: 07508 330750 or Email: contact@winslowbigsocietygroup.info
Volunteering?
Volunteers are still needed so if you feel able to offer assistance, please make contact as above indicating in which of the areas you feel you might be able to help and those you cannot.
​Relevant checks and references will be made on all new volunteers
(If leaving a phone message, emailing or texting please give your name and postcode and contact details and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.  If possible state whether you need or can offer help.)
Our existing services
Our transport schemes and long term Telephone Support Service calls are continuing and need volunteers plus there are 2 new services needing volunteers: Accompaniment and Pen Pal– see below for more information on these and also the current position of our other activities..
​Check the latest COVID information via the Buckinghamshire Council Facebook Page

What we are doing .....

Click below to find out more details....
Community Car Scheme
 Our Community Car Scheme provides DBS checked volunteer drivers at low cost to take you to the GP, library, dentist, shops, hospital visiting etc.

For WINSLOW RESIDENTS ONLY

Hospital appointments are now covered by  the North Bucks Hospital Car Scheme NBHCS please book through Norden House. 

For all journeys passengers must be Covid symptom free, wear a mask (unless exempt) and they will be required to sit in a back seat unless this is physically impossible. A Carer or a member o the same household may be carried too.
​
Contact : Co-ordinator 07508 330750
24hr. notice is required and new passengers have to register.

Telephone Support Volunteers
As a Service to the Community we are recruiting people that would volunteer to become 'Telephone Volunteers' to people in the community, that are alone and in need of social contact.

All we ask is that you can strike up a friendship by simply having a chat with someone on the phone, perhaps, no more than once a week.

We will endeavour to 'match' you with someone who has similar interests and we will stay in the background making sure everything runs smoothly.

The Service is run in conjunction with the 'North Bucks Patient Support Service' run out of Norden House Health Centre but covers a wider geographical region than just Winslow..

Contact the Volunteers' Coordinator for more details..

​email - keith.hofgartner@nhs.net

Pen Pal Service
This is a new service, and is intended for those who feel isolated and maybe housebound, but would like to receive letters from another person about what’s going on, what they are doing etc. It can be a one or two way service. The person will be matched with one volunteer, so they can build up a relationship by letter writing. If you’d like to be either a letter writer or a receiver of letters, please contact us.
Accompaniment Service
Do you lack confidence to get out, maybe anxiety or just wobbly?
We can provide you with a matched volunteer for 6 weeks to help you get your confidence back.

Please make contact for more information Vron Corben 01296 712460
Winslow Wheelchair Vehicle
Mobility for local people
available to be driven by a carer or family member with our permission. It can also be driven by a dedicated driver that we will supply when we can.
Pilates & Exercise
Exercise for all Abilities - 
Various online and Face to Face exercise classes are now available, check for availability and times with Sandra Pratt directly on 07775 428594 or by email at sandrapratt45@yahoo.co.uk

Mondays 9.30 - 10.15 am.
Stretch and Tone, Winslow..

Thursdays 10.00 - 11.00 am.
The Lavender Workout, Great Horwood

Thursdays pm 2.30 from Aug 5 th
Parkinson’s Pro Workout (also recommended for MS), Winslow
(Contact Liz Mostyn 715736 for details) 

Prices £8.50 per session.
Really Useful Guide
Really Useful Guide
All the contacts you need for Winslow Groups and activities in one document.

One of this useful publication is hand delivered to all houses in Winslow together with an updated map of Winslow.

​It is hoped you will find them useful.
If you do not receive them please let us know.

Please let us know of any other changes – a directory never stands correct for long – and we will aim to publish them on this website​
Gentle Walks
​Specially designed for those who find walking difficult, are unused to walking or not able to walk regularly. 
Usually every Wednesday 10am meet outside The George on Market Square under the tree. Small accompanied groups socially distanced. Everyone welcome NO NEED TO BOOK but please ensure you are Covid symptom free and have a face covering.
​More info from Christine on 714336 
Hard of Hearing
Now restarted to discuss topics of interest over a cuppa with speakers some months.
​Meets monthly in the library, usually, but not always the first  Thursday in the afternoon 2:30 pm. so please check.
​
Contact Diana Slevin 07803 174583 or diana@slevin.plus.com if interested for more information.
Share your Memories
Join the group every 3rd Monday at 2.30pm in the library  to discuss a particular topic over a cuppa..
Contact: Sue Keane 01296 713106 if interested for more information.
Parkinsons Group
A group to  meet other people with Parkinsons and carers and share experiences,
Meet monthly on a Tuesday (usually the 1 st one) in the afternoon in the library
PLUS A specific exercise session is now starting up run by popular local teacher Sandra Pratt who has completed a course with Fitness Professionals and The NeuroGym. The Parkinson’s classes
are held on Thursday afternoons at 2.30 in the St. Laurence Room. Price - £8.50 per session
​
Contact: Liz Mostyn 715736 if interested for more information.
Cards & Games
Keep your mind sharp and enjoy an afternoon of cards and board games, with refreshments. 1st Monday of each month, 2:30 - 4:00 pm.
In the Winslow Bowls Club.

£ 1.50 donation towards cost of refreshments
​
Contact: Zoe Sutherland 07732 867864
Parents & Carers Drop-In
 From the start of the Autumn Term, in the Library. A chance to unwind after the weekend?
An opportunity for coffee and friendly chat with others.
Every Monday in term time, 9-10 am.
Accompanied pre-school children welcome.
Contact: Cathy Tracy - 01296 712023 
Singing for Pleasure
Monthly singing session for all, with refreshments, normally 4th Thursday of each month,
St Laurence Room 2.30-4.00 pm
Cost £1.50 per session
Contact Angela or Graham Bowe
​01296 714678 gandabowe@btinternet.com
Friendship Lunches
Our monthly Friendship Lunch at the Bell Hotel is usually held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Please check for details.
Previous attendees will be contacted.
Contact Kay Peck 01296 714253
Sitting Service
Are you a carer, not able to leave your loved one to get out?
Maybe we can help! 
We can provide you with a matched volunteer, same one each time, to sit at home and let you get out for approx. an hour each week.
As with most of our services  they are free! 

Contact Vron Corben on 01296 712460 for more details.

​ What we are also aiming to do in 2022... 

Afternoon Tea
Restart date to be confirmed.
Previously a small group has met one afternoon monthly at The Bell Hotel .
Booking essential and cost involved.
Previous attendees will be contacted.

(free transport for Winslow residents via the Community Car Scheme)
Contact Christie Moore 01296 711927
​or Liz Gardner 01296 712006
Film Shows
Restart date to be confirmed.
Held in the past on an occasional basis in the Bowls Club in the afternoon.

Details of dates and films in future will be published in the Winslow Parish News, posters round town.
Contact Ann Abraham by email ama21@btinternet.com

What we are up to...

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter...

When you can do it .....

Now we are back on track....

Winslow Wheelchair Vehicle available

An exciting development for Winslow and the local villages. A dedicated vehicle for Wheelchair access is available for hire.

Latest Volunteers Newsletter

Now available for download..

Annual General Meeting & Report


Almost 60 people attended on 10th November 2021, giving people an opportunity to meet volunteers they had not met before, as well as hear about the past year, share stories and new ideas. Click here for a copy of the Annual Report