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Adapting to Change


Like most of you, day to day life at Fair Shares has changed somewhat and like everyone else we’re learning to adapt and change and find new ways to be involved with and support our community.

We’re trying our best to keep in contact with people as much as we can through phone calls, emails and facebook – if you haven’t checked out our facebook page please do. We also really like the idea of having some online virtual coffee mornings using zoom. If you’re interested or want to know more, please email us at gloucester@fairshares.org.uk.

One of our big changes is that we’ve taken on a bit of role as a local food distributer. Working with other groups like the Friendship Café, Gloucester Helping Hands and the council we’ve collectively set up a small local food bank which has been sending out donated groceries to people who may be struggling right now.

We’re also cooking hot meals and delivering them out. As an example we sent out some leek and chicken pie to an older lady who has just been released from hospital with the coronavirus. She is now thankfully recovering – but just needs a bit of extra care and help from the community! Between us and the Friendship Café we’re cooking about 40 meals a day.

All the food is free, but we’re always happy to accept donations to help cover costs. Sadly we don’t have the capacity to offer this to everyone, but if you know someone who you think could really do with a nice cooked meal now and then, please do let us know.
Community Spirit
Challenging times can sometimes bring out the best in people and communities. We’ve seen this across Gloucester with an incredible amount of good will and community spirit.
 
So many different groups and individuals are doing tremendous amounts of good work in and around our communities. We’re lucky at Fair Shares that this is exactly what we’ve been doing for over 20 years now so we already know how amazing people can be. We’ve had loads of offers of help from our participants and they have done loads of things like shopping or picking up prescriptions.

As just one example this is Gill. She’s been out there most days, doing some shopping for elderly neighbours, going to the chemist or delivering hot meals. More importantly she’s just a really cheery person who can brighten up your day in a minute!
If you can offer some time to help someone else please do contact us, or if you know of a neighbour or a family member who needs some help let us know.
Feed Gloucester
Fair Shares is one of the charities that is linked to the Feed Gloucester campaign.

We all know that at this time, more so than usual, people are struggling for food. While the government have set up schemes to cover 80 percent of some salaries, that 20 percent loss can still mean real hardship. For many people who are self-employed or on zero hour contracts, that can be even worse.

The Feed Gloucester campaign is looking to help out where it can. Money raised from public donation will go to individuals and families who are struggling via charities like ours, church groups and schools across Gloucester.

So please feel free to share this information if you can or make a donation if you are able to.
Donate Here
GEM Goes Online!

GEM recently launched a new initiative - GEMonline. It's a programme of online activities aimed at providing opportunities for people to keep busy during what can be a very isolating time. 

This upcoming week will be one of GEMonline's busiest yet!

You've got the opportunity to take part in mock interviews, learn a new language (BSL or german!), take on Lego challenges or relax with some yoga - as well as lots of other activities.

It's open to everyone - no need to be part of GEM. You can click below to see their news post and the full schedule, including how to take part.
Activities Timetable
Down at the Allotment
Rachel's been continuing to visit our allotment and keep things ticking over so that it's all in good shape. She's been chatting (at a distance!) with lots of interested passersby as they have a look at what she's doing through the wire fence.

We received a kind donation of tomato seedlings from a local resident, Lidia, which we're very thankful for. We've even managed to use from of the rhubarb grown down at the allotment in a rhubarb crumble we then handed out!

We've been uploading videos to facebook showing off the allotment and giving tips on how to plant certain seeds (even using the cardboard from toilet roll), so have a look at those to see the whole range of what we're planting.

If you have anything garden related you’d like to ask and see, or if you would like some ideas of things you could grow if you have your own garden space, window box or even just a window sill then please do get in touch with us via Facebook. Watching something grow from a seed is really special so do share what you’re growing too!
Watch the videos here!
Things That Make Us Smile
We know life is strange at the moment and everyone is doing the best we can with our new situation but often it’s times like this we’re reminded of the small pleasures in life and those tiny things and moments that can make all the difference. We all have those things that make us smile and bring us some joy and happiness.

What we want to do is capture those moments and really celebrate them together. So have a think about what makes you smile and take a picture. It can be anything: your favourite book, your child being silly, flowers in the garden, a pet, a musical  instrument, a stupid hat, that toy that you’re far too old to be still playing with, the neighbour that you talk to from across your garden fence, a present from a loved one, a child’s artwork, chocolate!!! It can be anything at all – this is about what makes you smile. 

We want to collect all these photos and create a massive collage. We have this big empty wall inside the Friendship Café and we want it filled with photos. You just have to send your digital photos and we'll print them out and stick it on the wall. When all of this is over and it’s safe to come back together we’ll throw a big party in the hall and we can share and enjoy the photos together.

You can photograph anything you like using anything you like - you don’t need a latest camera, that dodgy old phone is good enough; we just want to see what makes you happy. We only have two rules –

1 It has to be a new photo you take (no old holiday pictures)
2 Stay safe, no going out to your favourite beauty spot or meeting up with your best friend

– we all still have to maintain our social isolation.

Please email your photos to gloucester@fairshares.org.uk or whatsapp them to Reyaz on 07733 757513.
If any of the above interested you then  Like Cooking, Shopping and Things That Make You Smile on Facebook  us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and see what else has been going on.
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