New Beginnings in 2023 with Community Connections
“A big thank you to each and every one of you. There is always a warm welcome for everyone, and last week’s Christmas party, with wonderful entertainment and lovely gift, was the icing on the cake. Keep up the good work!…”
– Scone Cafe guest
We’ve had some fantastic events in recent months, from crafts to games to musical entertainments. We’re training new volunteers, bringing more and more people together, defeating isolation and disconnection through our gatherings and one-to-one services.
But this winter is tough for so many of us, and the need is greater than ever, so now is a great time to get involved if you’ve been thinking about it. Just give us a call or drop us a line to take that first step.
Stronger Connections starting up
The first of the new local groups to start up in partnership with our Stronger Connections support is Sporting Memories, meeting on Tuesdays 1.30-3pm in North Berwick Rugby Club. Graham Cross has welcomed men and women of varied sporting interests to reminisce and engage in good-natured banter over coffee about their experiences and their idols. Graham is keen to have help getting this group established for the long term. To get involved, you can drop in or contact Graham
Stronger Connections is our mental well-being peer support strand (with funding kindly provided by North Berwick Trust). Further partnership activities, to help meet the needs of folk whose mental well-being has been under strain, will launch soon. We have found evidence that the Covid years have sharpened many people’s struggles with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, bereavement, the challenges of parenting – or with trying to recover from difficult episodes of these kinds. Funding has extended our staff hours in recognition of the greater time needed to support our existing members and volunteers, but also allows us to bring about new local peer support groups that help with these, so please stay tuned for news of these.
Three cheers for the revival of our legendary Intergenerational Meals! Community Connections folk had a fantastic three course meal prepared and served by the Girls' Group of the amazing North Berwick Youth Project - and a mixed-team quiz for added fun. We loved it and are so grateful to all the girls for their warm welcome! Here's to the next one in three months' time...
Did you know that on this date in 1795 Beethoven performed in person for the first time? He performed the Piano Concerto No. 2 in Vienna, Austria.
We can't promise you a Beethoven performance at Scone Cafe today but we can guarantee a warm welcome, delicious home-made scones and a tasty cuppa. Join us from 2pm at the Abbey Church Hall (side entrance) and if you fancy a stroll you can take a gentle, guided walk along Elcho Green and back.
Yesterday we bid farewell to Charli Prime, who has been our Compassionate Neighbours Coordinator for the past year and has done sterling work establishing this important new work. Thank you for all your excellent hard work, Charli, and all the best for the future - The NBCCC Team.
Here's Charli and Fiona Watt (one of the founders of Compassionate Neighbours) taking part with North Berwick Trust, North Berwick in Bloom and Bass Rock Community Group orchard planting.
Volunteer!
Seeking new Volunteers – could this be your moment to step forward as a connector?
NEXT TRAINING:
Part 1 Jan 17th or 19th,
Part 2 Jan 24th or 26th – if interested, please contact Carol or Lynn asap!
The need for support to reconnect folk in this post-pandemic time is greater than ever. Do you have a couple of hours a week spare? There is no minimum commitment and we will support you fully with training. We need help with buddy walks, chumming to the coffee shop or helping out at Scone Cafe. You could make a huge difference as a Community Connections volunteer. Next in-house training this September/October.
Community Connections Services - Gatherings Updates:
SCONE CAFE – We’re thrilled to welcome so many new faces to our core activity, Scone Café (Wednesdays 2-3.30, Abbey Church Hall). But we’re equally delighted to see some of our old friends returning for the first time in a couple of years. Board games now available again – and, as ever, Dorothy’s famous scones, now with help from our wonderful Beacon Lunch friends providing extra scones to meet the demand! We keep going throughout all the seasons – see you there.
SCONE WALKING If the sunshine has inspired you to get out walking again, you can also join us for a gentle wee saunter in good company along the gorgeous Elcho Green above West Beach, with our group walk, Scone Walking (Wednesdays 2.15-2.45pm, please come at 2pm if you are new to us so we can register your details.). There’s still time for a cuppa when you get back!
COFFEE CONNECTIONS continues at the Seabird on Tuesdays (2-3pm) and we’ve ventured back out onto the deck lately, to get the wind in our hair. Just look out for the bright green Coffee Connections sign at our table – or ask Lyndsey if you prefer someone to meet you outside.
BEACON LUNCHES We might also see you at the divine Beacon lunches (Thursdays 11-1, St Andrew Blackadder Church – voluntary donation), run by volunteers there for over 25 years – you will find Community Connections folk there most Thursdays 12-1, enjoying the wonderful soups and cakes! Ask for us at the door.
NEED A LIFT? No problem – contact our friends at North Berwick Volunteer Car Scheme for a regular weekday lift with a friendly volunteer driver, for a voluntary donation. Contact Scheme Co-ordinator Bex on 07536 388 753, between 9am and 12noon, Monday to Friday.
Buddy Walks Volunteers
Time for a fresh start? We are still keen to recruit new volunteers to join our incredible team. All details here.
One to One Community Connections Services
BUDDY WALKS – Our one-to-one Buddy Walks continue to be so popular that there’s a waiting list for now. Please note that our group walk, Scone Walking (see above) is a great option for you meantime – just let us know if you’d like to try them. Gets you out to feel the wind in your hair and new life in your limbs, in great company. Contact Lynn.
BEFRIENDING is another option – usually a weekly chat with one of our friendly, PVG-checked volunteers. Phone calls are possible if you prefer. We encourage you to get out for coffee together when you can, and later on you might like to meet some of our other members. But home visits are occasionally possible, if you’re unable to go out just now. Contact Lynn.
COMPASSIONATE NEIGHBOURS is a growing social movement to end loneliness and social isolation for people in our communities with a life limiting condition. Becoming a Compassionate Neighbour can be hugely rewarding and through building genuine friendships you will have the chance to change lives, including your own. We hope you will consider to working alongside us to promote compassion in our local communities. More information on Truacanta can be found here
Contact Charli to find out more.
What We Do
Community Connections tackles isolation and helps people connect to their local community.
Would you like more company, conversations and connections in your life?
We can introduce you to new folk, meet you for coffee, chum you along on a walk and help you make the most of your days, whatever the season!
Is it time to venture back to the cafe and reconnect with others, or make new friends? Say the word and we can help.
In our work we find that the best predictor of your current mental health is your “relational health”, or connectedness.
– Dr Bruce Perry, neuroscientist, 2020
Would you like to collaborate with us, to help meet both your group’s aims and ours? We’re working closely with more and more local groups and increasing our networking reach. Please see our Community and our Partnerships sections.
'Community Connections' Monthly Newsletter
Not ready to take part in our activities yet, want to think about it first, or just want to stay in touch with what we’re doing? Then allow us to send you our cheering, colourful and informative monthly newsletter, by post or email. Just contact Ruth or Lyndsey.
HAVE A HAPPIER YEAR WITH COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS! We’re delighted to connect with you in any way that feels right for you. Just get in touch and we’ll discuss your needs.
Ask for our help
We tackle social isolation in the North Berwick Coastal Ward. Our services include Scone Café, befriending, chumming to new activities, Coffee Connections meet-ups, Buddy Walks, monthly Community Connections newsletter.
Would you like to request our service?
Would you like to refer someone else to our service?
Get Involved
Become a volunteer and make a real difference in your local community.
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