Newsletter (Apr 2013)
Termly Update
Changes from April 2013
Unfortunately 6 villages were unable to afford or chose not to hire our services from 1st April 2013. However, we have received bookings from enough villages to secure a nearly full termly programme of visits for one of our buses. This means that from 15 April 2013 (after the school holidays the weekly schedule will look like this:
Mondays 4pm - Eversdens
Mondays 7pm - Oakington
Tuesdays 4pm - Burwell
Tuesdays 7pm - Soham
Tuesdays 7pm - Orwell (building based)
Wednesdays 4pm - Haslingfield
Wednesdays 7pm - Comberton
Thursdays 4pm - Traveller site
Thursdays 7pm - Free
Fridays 4pm - Benwick
Fridays 7pm - Littleport
The villages we will no longer be providing the youth bus too are:
Elsworth - no other youth clubs
Willingham - two youth clubs now running at the Baptist Church on Weds and Thurs
Caldecote - we are working with a newly formed youth committee to help start a building based youth club in September
Fen Drayton - no other youth clubs
Papworth - new youth club about to start
Bar Hill - no other youth clubs
Although it is disappointing that the current financial climate means we are providing less facilities it is promising that we have enough interest to enable one bus to continue. The other bus is in need of a new engine and once quotes have been received the Management Committee will be making the decision whether to go ahead and put into to storage or to get rid of the bus.
A Night on the Buses shown at AGM
Also at the AGM, two new trustees were appointed:
Susannah Harris - experience in Community Development both at district council and with own business and link with Connections Bus Project going back many years.
Andrew Smith - experience with cadets and careers advice in Suffolk
Weekly Attendance
Needs and Vision Survey
Prelimary Results
24 individuals completed the survey identifying the highest unmet needs as Social/Recreational Facilities, Advice of Risk-taking Behaviour and Advocacy and Mentoring. When asked which groups of young people were most needy, both the Rurally Isolated and New Communities featured.
When asked what role the charity might play in meeting needs the responses were along similar themes of open-access, drop-in services (the following is a pictoral representation of the words used, the large the font the more time that word appeared).
- "the needs of young people in Rural Communities should be where CBP focuses efforts" - voluntary organisation
- "I feel it should be open-access drop in style where issues are mainly dealt with as raised by the young person" - staff
- "Now that the county has moved to targeted services the voluntary sector is in the best position to provide much of the Youth Offer in terms of open access provision" - county council
- "Well placed to deliver open access universal activity at a time when this type of provision has been cut." - voluntary organisation
- "Continue to provide open access youth provision in isolated rural communities where other organisations such as CCC have withdrawn from universal provision" - county council
- "The use of a bus is a effective way of accessing young people in rural communities and market towns where there are not many opportunities for positive activity." - voluntary organisation
Initial Conclusions by Project Manager
- The charity needs to continue doing more of the same
- A method to monitor young people's progress would be beneficial
- Rurally Isolated and New communities are key areas for work
- Open-access provision is valuable and needed in Cambridgeshire
- Advice and support are important and needed as part of our service
Fundraiser
Ten local police officers are raising money for us by cycling Coast to Coast (170 miles) in one day.
Sgt. Paul Rogerson and his colleagues will be attempting the feat in June this year and would welcome your encouragement and support.
Any words of encouragement or donations can be made via our Coast-to-Coast page, where we will also be keeping you up to date with their progress.
The Connections Bus Project
Online Donation
via our website, credit card donations can be made with a facility for us to claim Gift Aid.
Cheque
Sent to the address at below. Gift Aid can be claimed, please indicate if you wish us to do this and include full name and address.
Online Shopping
Next time you make a purchase online, go through our commission site SpendandRaise. It will cost you no more and we will receive commission for the project (anything from 3% to 10%).
eBay for Charity
Donate a percentage or all of the selling price when you sell via eBay to us. Follow the instructions on eBay.co.uk and look for our project.
Email: admin@connectionsbusproject.org.uk
Website: connectionsbusproject.org.uk
Location: P.O. Box 344, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9WZ
Phone: 01223 232978
Facebook: facebook.com/ConnectionsBus
Twitter: @ConnectionsBus