A Place of Welcome, St Martins Church, Droylsden

A Place of Welcome is a volunteer led group which takes place at St Martins Church in Droylsden every Thursday from 10am – 12pm. The Group has recently re-opened since the restrictions of the Covid-19 Pandemic have been lifted and have welcomed back old and new faces over the last few weeks.

A Place of Welcome is free to access, is for all ages and provides a relaxing space for people to socialise, have tea and toast, meet new friends and have a laugh together. Each week the group run different activities such as Quiz’s, Bingo, Chair Based Exercises, indoor kurling and much more. On average around 20 people have been attending the recently re-opened sessions.

**(Members of the Group participating in a Chair Based Exercise Class)**

Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic the Group worked closely with a local school who attended the group for game sessions. The group and school really enjoyed this and plan to re-commence sessions from November 2021 and also start art and craft sessions. The group also host children activities during the school holidays with staff from the local school helping to facilitating sessions.

Jean, who attends A Place of Welcome each week said, “I have been coming to this group for over 3 years, it’s great to meet people, learn new things, play Bingo, join in with Pat’s Exercise Classes, talk to people and most importantly have a laugh!”

Since the group opened in 2018, Action Together has supported with Volunteer Funding and Grants. Action Together has supported the group to re-open and offer a safe and friendly space for the Community to meet. Chris Moorhouse, the Community Development Worker for Denton, Audenshaw and Droylsden, works very closely with the group to support them to apply for opportunities for funding, volunteers and much more. Chris is based at A Place of Welcome every Thursday to support the group and to support people who would like to get involved or set up their own group in the Community.

Sue Pomfrett, the Social Prescribing Officer for Denton, Audenshaw and Droylsden, regularly uses A Place of Welcome to meet people who have been referred into the Social Prescribing Service and has recently referred 6 people into the group. Sue has also supported other people within the group to access other local Community Sessions and Services.

**(Reverend Jo Farnworth outside A Place of Welcome)**

Reverend Jo Farnworth at St Martins Church said, “The group has given people hope since opening and throughout the Pandemic. We have seen Volunteers grow within the group and benefit in many ways.”

A Place of Welcome, at St Martins Church in Droylsden, will be introducing the Bread and Butter Thing on Monday the 22^nd of November which will run 12:30pm onwards for Volunteers and 2:30pm for collections. Each person that signs up to the Bread and Butter Thing will receive 3 bags, one of fresh veg, one of tins and packets and one of fresh meat, diary, eggs etc. The scheme prevents food from Supermarkets going to waste. Everyone can access the Bread and Butter Thing.

It is really easy to sign up to the Bread and Butter Thing…

Step 1 - To sign up, please text 07860 063 304 with your full name, postcode, and the name of the hub you will be collecting from: St Martin’s.

Step 2 – Select the size of the order you want to receive: Family - £7.50, Individual - £4, or Large Family - £15.

Step 3 – You will receive a text every Saturday to see if you want an order. Just reply ‘YES’ by 10:00am the next day. Your order will then be delivered to St Martins Church for collection on Mondays at 2:30pm.

Step 4 – Collect and pay for your goods from St Martin’s Church, Droylsden. (Don’t forget – someone can collect on your behalf if you can’t make it and Healthy Start Vouchers are also accepted).

To find out more about The Bread and Butter Thing, please find information under the ‘Downloads’ header on this page (at the top of the page on the left hand side).

Volunteering Opportunities:

The Bread and Butter Thing will need 6 – 8 Volunteers to run. If you would like to Volunteer at The Bread and Butter Thing on a Monday, please contact: Christine (Volunteer) on 0798 282 1634 or Marjorie (Volunteer) on 0161 270 7482.
A Place of Welcome Thursday group – Volunteers are always welcome at the Place of Welcome, please contact Christine (Volunteer) on 0798 282 1634 or Marjorie (Volunteer) on 0161 270 7482 if you would like to Volunteer at the Thursday group.

Anyone can volunteer. It can be very rewarding and is a great way to: