22nd August 2011

CHARD: Big Society alive and kicking in Chard

By Marion Draper

CHARD Intentional Peer Support Group, led by Julie Matthews, has been developing a new project since last November with the help of other organisations and funders. Recently they launched this new venture called WATCH (Working All Together in Chard).

The support group members have been working on a new mosaic and presented a book about their journey through mental illness. The group is now embracing anyone who feels excluded from the community in general, whether it be through mental illness, depression, unemployment, loneliness, drug and alcohol recovery, disability, or language barriers. All are welcome and the group encourage skill swapping and learning.

The Mayor of Chard, Councillor Cathie Morrison is a keen supporter of the project and said: ìI have been involved since the beginning when Julie first asked to use the building and was on the steering group. This is a very strong and positive group and I have seen people come out of their shell and find new confidence. When they started it was just for people with mental health issues now they support all vulnerabilities and have set up a skill centre to help those who have been out of employment for a while. This is a lifeline to create self-esteem and making bird boxes is as much about doing something positive and creative as trying to earn a few pennies. It is a wonderful project and I will support them as much as I can.”

She was also talking to Aurelio Horta, the community link worker from South Somerset District Council who said he was trying to set up a Portugese association to create better cultural exchange and understanding between the local populations.

MP David Laws was among the special guests at the launch and was given a tour of the workshop where the members had been making bird boxes. Carpenters John Porter and Paul Druce part make the bird boxes, so that workshop clients can assemble and paint them. Mr Porter has been making wooden items like the bird boxes for different charities for more than 25 years. This primarily provides therapy for people attending the workshop, improving their sense of usefulness and self-worth. They build and decorate the bird boxes which, in turn, are sold to raise funds for the group. The wood for the bird boxes was kindly donated by B&Q and local tradespeople in Chard.

Mr Laws said: “The Big Society is not just about the Government saving money and fobbing off all the work on you lot, it’s also about engaging the community in a way that can deliver better services. Thatís why Iím particularly pleased that youíve taken this initiative and Iím very keen to do anything I can to support you.”

John Robinson South Somerset Association for Voluntary and Community Action said: “I’m privileged because I’m able to go out and meet lots of different groups and see some of the work that’s going on and the first thing I want to say about the WATCH group here that it makes me smile and it’s good for you, smiling, and we should do more of it. Smiling sends some messages to the brain that makes your mood change, the WATCH group makes me smile and it’s fantastic.

“Groups and individuals are welcome here, it’s not about about one organisation it’s about a lot of organisations, it’s about sharing resources not duplicating, sharing costs trying to make the most of a very difficult time for a lot of organisatons in this sector and probably more importantly its about putting a smile on people’s faces and changing their mood that’s a stepping stone I think to the wider society and the wider community in and around Chard ..

“So what I’d like to ask you to do if you are out there today representing your organisation, is not to look at WATCH at arm’s length and think well what a wonderful group of people that is and possibly at some point in the future I will pat them on the back, we actually need some action, we need people to make things happen, we need engagement. This is about a group of people, passionate, looking for support, you come along and support it.”

PICTURE 1: OFFERING SUPPORT - Chard Town Mayor Councillor Cathie Morrison and MP David Laws with members of WATCH

PICTURE 2: DRIVING FORCE - Mayor Cathie Morrison with WATCH volunteer coordinator Julie Matthews and MP David Laws

PICTURE 3: QUALITY WORK - Carpenter John Porter shows David Laws MP some of the bird box designs.

CHARD: Big Society alive and kicking in Chard

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