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16th April 2021                                                                 View this in your browser                                     

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Hello Timebank Members
 
It's been a while, but we are still here! It is great to be able to meet with members face-to-face now and enjoy a walk in the sunshine together (even if we have to wrap up for winter still!).
We are pleased to be bringing you all the latest news from Timebank and other information and resources from local organisations.

Get in touch if you have anything you would like to share through the newsletter and don't forget you can keep in touch or post offers and exchange requests on our Facebook page too. We'd love to hear from you!
What's in this months Newsletter ...
 
        * COVID 19 Update                                 * Creative Writing Group
        * Opportunities to Exchange                 * Knitting pattern library
        * Pen Pal Potential?                               * Other Organisational Information
Covid

 Update 
Meeting up safely

We are now able to meet up with our friends and family outdoors either in a group of up to six people or two households, and, although social distancing rules remain in place, this has been welcomed by many. Just a few simple actions can help take care of each other when socialising:
  • Stay outside - we are not able to mix indoors just yet
  •  Stick to the rule of six - up to six people, or two separate households 
  • Follow social distancing rules - stay 2m away from others to stop COVID19 in its tracks - if we don’t get close to people, we cannot pass it on 
  • Wear a face covering - this stops us from passing on the virus 
  • Wash your hands regularly - for at least 20 seconds regularly but always after you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, before and after you eat or touch food and when you return home from being outside 
  • Don’t follow the crowd - if somewhere is really busy try to find somewhere quieter

There are plenty of opportunities to explore from our door in Plymouth. If you are looking for inspiration for your next outdoor adventure, Visit Plymouth provides an array of places to get out and about and enjoy the fresh air. More information is available: https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk

Test yourself

Testing is still an important tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19.  Everyone is now able to access rapid asymptomatic (meaning for people with no symptoms) lateral flow testing.

Testing regularly will help prevent outbreaks in the future, keeping the number of cases down and helping us take a step closer to a more normal way of life. There are a number of ways that you can access these tests, and this is growing daily. You might be able to access them through your workplace; the number of workplaces offering in-house or home testing kits is increasing rapidly. You can collect home testing kits from a number of locations, or order them to be delivered (see https://www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site for details). Plymouth City Council is also offering community lateral flow testing; there is a mobile testing van visiting locations around the city each week, and a site in the city centre (in Place de Brest, near Barclays), which will open from the 12th April on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 10am – 4pm. Both of these offer assisted testing, and also home testing packs, which means that people might want to have assisted testing the first time to check that they know what to do, but then take a pack home to do by themselves for future tests. To book your lateral flow test, or for further information visit the lateral flow test booking page: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/covid19asymptomatictestinglateralflowtest.

Get Vaccinated
 
COVID vaccine image

Use this service to book a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or manage your appointments.

You can only use this service if any of the following apply:

  • you are aged 45 or over
  • you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
  • you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
  • you have a learning disability
  • you get a Carer's Allowance, get support following an assessment by your local authority or your GP record shows you are a carer

Getting the vaccination will take around and hour and making an appointment is simple using the National Booking Service via the website or by calling 119.

Book your Covid Vaccination now
Looking ahead:

* Subject to confirmation, the rule of 6 INDOORS will apply from 17th May as well as indoor activities re opening ( cinemas and accommodations etc).
Opportunities to exchange

Do you remember the skills you said you would like to share when you became a Timebank member? Whether you are tech savvy, proficient with plants or have a natural dexterity for DIY - wanting to share your knowledge is what brought us together.
Timebank South West is proud to have over 100 members who are all here to share their skills and abilities with other members across the city creating a friendly, social and cost-free way of getting involved in your community and lending a hand to help others by doing something you enjoy!

To some Timebank sounds too good to be true, and in some ways, they aren't wrong. We have an amazing network of individuals and organisations who want to do something for you and in return, simply ask for you to share your skills with them.
Thanks to you, our members, over 
4079 hours of skills have been exchanged over the last year. A year where we have mostly been at home, protecting ourselves and our families from an unprecedented pandemic. This is a really impressive number, it reflects just how much members are able to support and help each other through online socials, befriending, walking together and outdoor exchanges.
It makes us incredibly proud to have heard about how you have been providing support and assistance to other Timebank members as well as un associated organisations throughout a very difficult year it certainly highlights the Timebank spirit so ...


Thank You!
Offers
Asks
Other Offers and Asks ...
 
* Members in Devonport are looking to get help with learning to play the violin
* A member in Efford would like help painting her garden wall
* A Devonport member would like help taking a concrete planter out and replacing with a wooden one
* A Stonehouse member is happy to offer sewing skills as well as knitting/crochet
What's going on in your area ...

In Ernesettle members have now started meeting in groups of up to 6 in gardens. People were happy and upbeat and really hoping that soon we can meet in larger groups back in our usual venue of the Space Centre. Val made some ginger cake and Gwen offered us the space of her garden and cups of tea. 
In Honicknowle members have recently met in Lynda's garden and  helped in the garden. Everyone remarked on how nice it was to be able to see each other again and were asking when can we go back in to a building again.
On Wednesday 21st March Whitleigh members met in Four Greens garden to get the planters ready for growing vegetables and fruit which will hopefully be used in the food parcels that get distributed by volunteers on behalf of Four Greens. They will also be tidying up and planting outside the front area of Four Greens.
In Efford members have been meeting for short walks, a recent one was to Efford Marsh, a rather challenging trek at times but a very scenic route with a lovely pond and stream to discover birds and other wildlife en route!
Stonehouse Timebank members have enjoyed walks around Plymouth Hoe, soaking up the sunshine along the way. We have also taken a walk around North Stonehouse discovering all the wonderfully painted boxes as part of Stronger North Stonehouse 
Devonport members are happy to be back meeting face-to-face too. We have taken strolls around Mount Wise and the Mast, taking in beautiful scenery across the water, we then stroll back town to sit with Jenny in the communal garden and have a coffee and a chat.
The Great Timebank Pen Pal Exchange
Over the last few months we have been in contact with other Timebanks across the UK, making connections and bringing people together through the joy of letter writing. In an age of emails, text messages and facetime, those of us who are tech savvy and 'online' are always able to engage with others, wherever they may be. However, there are still a large number of people who do not use mobile technology or have access to the internet and throughout the last year we have been trying to find ways of keeping in contact with these members in order to make sure they are happy and feeling connected to their communities.
Letter writing, for some, has become obsolete, yet it is a wonderful, personal way of connecting with others- a way of expressing yourself and being able to take your time writing down what you want to say rather than rushing through a conversation and forgetting that one thing you wanted to share! We have been making connections across the UK and below are some of the areas where we have found pen pals to write to ...
Hull & East Riding
Clacton-on-Sea
Essex
Bedfordshire
Gloucester
Nottingham
Carmarthenshire
Warwickshire
Scotland
So far we have been able to match 10 Timebank members in Plymouth with pen pals across the country! We are so pleased to be bringing people together to share their stories through the medium of writing. The Plymouth Play Scrap Store have also been wonderfully supportive by donating fabulous writing packs to each member who finds a pen pal.  Get in touch if you would like to become a pen pal.
Creative Writing Group
You may have seen, in previous newsletters, short stories we have shared on behalf of Timebank members. Tony and John are keen creative writers and their short stories are a real treat to read. If you are interested in creative writing and would like to get in touch with John and Tony to share your stories, ideas and enquiries then get in touch.
Below are two of Tony's recent short stories, simply click on the buttons to give them a read.
Sisters Hetti and Betti
THE CROWN Versus THOMAS.T. WITCHER.
If you have a specific interest that you would like to learn more about or share your knowledge of let us know. It could be a book club, an art club, knitting, crochet, gardening, flower arranging ... anything at all. It would be wonderful to be able to link up members across the city to meet virtually and discuss their hobbies.
Need a mobile phone? ...
We have recently linked up with Borrow Don't Buy to bring tech to Timebank members, we are pleased to have been able to ensure a number of our members were able to get online to join in online socials with a tablet or ipad donated by Sol and the team. 
We still, however, have one mobile device ...
So if you are struggling with an older phone which doesn't support getting online to be able to message for free, shop or check emails please get in touch and we can provide the answer. Just get in touch with Sally, Liza or Zoe and we can do the rest.

#stayconnectedwithtimebanksouthwest
Knitting Pattern Library
We have recently had a wonderful range of knitting patterns donated to us and so we thought we could set up a knitting pattern lending library. If you are a knatty knitter and like to try something different or if you are new to knitting and would like to start on something small, there is something here for you. With stitch libraries and handy hints this great resource is here for you. If you would like to borrow a pattern or enquire about a specific pattern please get in touch with Zoe: zoe@timebanksw.org 
Other Information & Resources
FOOD TALKS People’s Assembly Plymouth #foodtalksplymouth

Take part in a big conversation to help shape the future of food for Plymouth.

Food Talks People’s Assembly - Food Plymouth and Food Is Fun CIC
Click the button below to find out more about the project and participate in the survey.
Find out more about FOOD TALKS here ...
Public Health England in partnership with NHS England and Improvement have relaunched the national “Act F.A.S.T.” stroke campaign across national channels. The campaign is designed to inform the public about the signs of a stroke and to encourage people who recognise any single one of the symptoms of stroke, in themselves or others, to call 999 immediately.
To support your activity, campaign resources can be downloaded now from the PHE Campaign Resource Centre (CRC)

Announcement from MIND

 

We have launched the VCSE support service today New mental health support services for Plymouth VCSE staff and volunteers — Devon Mind, your local mental health charity.

  • Do you work for a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation in Plymouth?
  • Are you feeling extra stress or anxiety as a result of increased pressures recently?
  • Would you like support with your mental health, but don’t necessarily know where to turn?

The last 12 months have seen significant pressure on the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Plymouth, to maximise support for a wide range of people in the community.

 

Devon Mind and Plymouth City Council are proudly working together to provide a pilot support offer that works specifically to support better mental health within the VCSE sector during these challenging times. This will include a listening service, a peer support group, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) courses.

NEWS FROM NUDGE
Last year through Creative Civic Change funding Nudge ran a competition with Plymouth Design Forum for a project that could bring Joy and Colour to Union Street. Jordon Hill is a local designer and one of the winners. We loved that his project would look bold on the street and how it let's anyone join in! 
*Your work here is asking you, could you do better than famous artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso or O' Keefe?
We want you to submit a picture or a scan of your own artwork. We will then print and post it on the wall in Palace Square. Each month we will be adding new submissions to create an outdoor gallery of local talent. Email 
flat2@houseofmouth.com or hello@nudge.community with your entry or pop into The Plot on Union Street and we can take a photo for you. 
It has taken a while due to Covid to get the project off the ground but we are excited to see how the wall and your art will compliment the Igneous Interactives mural and electrical boxes in that space.
Paintings, sculpture, photography, crafts - all accepted, we just need a good quality photo! Submissions will be added in May, and new work will go up every month. 

Could you be a COVID community champion?

COVID Community Champions

Do you want to help your community stay up-to-date and informed about the latest COVID-19 information?

We’re looking for COVID-19 Community Champions to volunteer and help share accurate information quickly with local communities and networks.

Community Champions will be fully supported to carry out the role and there’s no need for training – simply sign up and start helping! Find out more.

Incredible events and exhibitions to enjoy in Plymouth this summer:

 

11th July - Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony:

The Four Nations Ceremony is the UK’s flagship Mayflower 400 event, marking the closure of the international Mayflower 400 commemorations.

17th-18th July
SailGP
One of the world’s most impressive sail racing events, SailGP, will stop in Plymouth in 2021, following the season opening events in Bermuda and Taranto, Italy.

14th-15th August The Hatchling 

This August, theatre-makers Trigger will stage The Hatchling, an extraordinary outdoor performance bringing a worldwide myth to life. A giant puppet in the form of a dragon will appear in Plymouth and roam through the city, exploring its new surroundings and interacting with the public.

18th-19th August British Firework Championships:
The world-famous British Firework Championships is set to return to Plymouth's waterfront in August, with the popular annual event attracting approximately 100,000 people over two nights.

27th-29th August 1 Big Summer :
1 Big Summer, a three-day music event, will take place on Plymouth Hoe on the August bank holiday weekend with each day curated to appeal to a plethora of musical tastes, genres and audiences.


The Box Plymouth:
From 18 May to 11 July 2021, the Box will also host its first touring exhibition - Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America.

Tickets for The Box will be available to book from mid-April. For ticket information visit www.theboxplymouth.com

Plymouth Artists Together
Live or work locally and love art?
We have teamed up with Plymouth Artists Together.  They are a collective of local people who are taking some of the unloved and neglected walls around Plymouth and showcasing local talent. You may have already seen their work on the boardings were Two Trees used to be, now this is your chance to get your own artwork on the street. We have put together packs for you to take home, paint a board and we then will get them up on the street.  If you want to get involved email amie@nudge.community and check out the Facebook page here
Complete the Timebank South West Annual Survey Here
In order for us to keep our wonderful memories in one place we have created a FLICKR profile, this is a website where we have a photo gallery of all the pictures you have shared with us visit our FLICKR photo gallery here. and see the pictures you have shared with us so far!
Stay safe and well

From your Timebank Team - Liza, Sally, Zoe, Kimberley and Chris
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