Page 26 - June 2016 Issue 303

26 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD
LEICESTERSHIRE SPEAKERS
After completion of the AGM business and welcoming Anne French as our President for 2016, it was time for some fun.
Three groups of four each told a story and the audience were invited to decide which was true or false.
The serious was mixed with some great humour. One speaker told how when he was born. The father was informed that he had a daughter when in fact he had a son. The ensuing birth notices led to the impression that twins had been born!
We listened to a very plausible explanation of as to how the surname Jones originated, the speaker had us all hoodwinked. We discovered we had a chocolate biscuit thief in our midst. In the cash strapped days of yesteryear one member told how he designed a stained glass window for a church and his fee was donated to an unmarried mothers’ home. We heard about an experiment that went wrong causing an explosion in the school science lab, this was well before H&S arrived. We heard the sad tale of a lost boy scout who after cycling through wind and rain in the Campsie Hills had to spend a miserable night, wet and cold in a barn whilst the troop were actually camping in an adjacent field. One member related an intriguing tale of how she was thought to belong to Baader Meinhof during a journey across France.
Three guests were plucky enough to have a go at telling stories.
Leicestershire Speakers welcome anyone who would like to learn the art of speaking in public. Our meetings are supportive and help to turn nervous wrecks into confident, speakers. We meet at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Blaby Drop in Centre. For more information, ring Anne Jones on 2772295 or visit our website www.leicspeakers. co.uk. We can also provide entertainment and talks to other societies and groups
VOLUNTEERING
IMPACTS MENTAL
WELLBEING
Local charities highlight roll of volunteering in helping local people’s mental wellbeing
Local charity VAL supports local people across Leicester and Leicestershire into volunteering. Last year the charity handled over 10,400 applications from people wanting to volunteer. Volunteering Team Manager Abdul Asghar has seen the impact that volunteering can have on the volunteers’ mental health:
“Many people think that volunteering is all about helping someone else – but being a volunteer can really help you too. Lots of the volunteers we work with say that the social side of volunteering really helps them make new friends and stay connected. If you struggle with mental health, this can make a huge difference.” Other local charities have also seen the impacts that volunteering can have. CEO of local charity Matt shared his experiences of young people and volunteering: “Consciously or sub-consciously we know that doing something for others is good for us. We all enjoy highs and lows in our mental health and I am in no doubt that volunteering helps us maintain the highs and deal with the lows.”
Matt’s experiences are backed up by research. For example, a 2014 Citizen’s Advice survey revealed that three-quarters of respondents with mental health issues said, “volunteering helped them feel more able to manage their condition.”
Local people who want to volunteer to improve their mental wellbeing can benefit from a VAL project called ‘Volunteering Plus’ which offers people with extra support needs assistance to start volunteering.
To learn more or start volunteering you can ring VAL’s Helpline on 257 505 or visit www.valonline.org.uk/volunteers.
JUNE 2016
FOODBANK NEWS
Many of us going around the village will have seen one or other of the eye catching collection bins asking for donations to the Lutterworth & Villages Foodbank. The Foodbank is there for residents of the area who can be referred to our service by professionals who know of their need. Clients are able to collect a range of non perishable items to keep them and their dependents fed for at least 3 days. The family continues to be supported until the crisis is over. We can only use non-perishable items, and the list of foodstuffs given to clients is based on the recommendations of the nationally known Trussell Trust who oversee over 400 of these food banks, and keep records on which to base evidence of need to the government. Please when doing your shopping, visiting the Rainbow Shop or going to church just add one or two extra things to your basket or bag and put it in the collection bin, it will be very much appreciated. Collection bins are situated in Countesthorpe Methodist Church, Co-op & Tesco Express, The Rainbow Shop, St Andrew’s Church and Countesthorpe College. Details of what we currently need most of are displayed by each bin. Thank you to everyone for their donations.
Our local Tesco Express store will be hosting a special Neighbourhood Food Collection point from 20th June to 2nd July. Tesco top-up customer donations by making a 20% financial contribution to The Trussell Trust, so by getting involved you’ll not only help provide vital food to UK people experiencing crisis, but the Tesco donated funds will help Trussell Trust foodbanks provide important support, beyond food, to tackle the root causes of poverty.
PatsyP
BLABY SOCIETY
OF ARTISTS
District Wide Art Society
If you are interested in anything art and want to join a friendly group, just come along to one of our meetings, 7pm - 9pm on third Thursday of the month.
Edward Wright Room, Whetstone Parish Council Offices LE8 6LL
16th June - Richard Freer - Exploring Abstraction
21st July - Richard Freer - Discussion of Members Work
New members (£25 annual subscription) Guests most welcome to any meeting (non member fee per meeting £5). All demonstrations are subject to change. For further information about Blaby Society of Artists or our programme, Contact: Secretary FranAndrews, 2841739 Email: blaby.society_artists@hotmail. com. Web: www.leicestershirevillages. com/blaby/blaby-society-of-artists.html
Y OU DON TNEEDE
YESTOS EEYOUN EEDVIS ION
L EN DMEYO
UREYESICA NCHANGEW HA TYO USEE
Robert Maddock Opticians
7, The Bank, Countesthorpe, LE8 5RL
0116 2780675 www.maddockopticians.com
Eye examinations, private and NHS available.
Gas permeable and soft contact lenses.
Large range of spectacle frames.
Friendly and professional service.