It’s Autumn and it’s a big “hi” to everyone from all of us at Sidings. Good News – albeit somewhat cautious – the centre is now open for a wider programme of activities. Fortunately, many of our main on-site services can continue exempt from the rule of six – which include our early years nursery, youth club, adult learning classes and our digital inclusion support and learning service – although we are keeping numbers low and attendance is by prior booking only. It’s not the full programme we are used to but we are glad to be able to see people benefitting from activities on site again. We will, however, also keep in touch with our users online to offer support and information. More details under the specific service pages on the website.
The centre staff have worked hard to ensure the premises offer “COVID19 Safe” environment – with lots of sanitiser and PPE items in use, and our COVID19 safe building risk assessment has been accepted by Camden. We are fortunate in having separate entrances and our large main hall which offers a spacious and multi-purpose activity area to help accommodate a variety of activities whilst providing for safe social distancing. We can also offer smaller one-to-one sessions for help with Computer and Digital Technology advice. As of 24th Sept, the centre is also registered with the NHS for the new “Test & Trace App and has been given a QR code to check – which is displayed throughout the premises.
MORE GOOD NEWS!! – from August, Sidings has also hosted the busy FoodCycle food bank delivery service, formerly located at the nearby St Cuthbert’s church. This wonderful community initiative was started in mid-April and relies heavily on local volunteers who help collect donations and sort items of non-perishable food and fresh fruit and veg each Friday evening. These are then bagged up and delivered to members of the community who need help with food each Saturday. FoodCycle is resuming a hot meal “cook & collect” service at St Cuthbert’s from Sat 3rd Oct but the good news is that the food bank will continue at Sidings Community Centre. It has now been renamed as the West Hampstead Community Food Hub. So ……..please continue to donate food items and if you are interested in helping out or you would like to receive some help with food or learn more about the service – contact us on office@sidings.org.uk or phone 020-7625-6260.
From October onwards we hope to send out a more regular newsletter which will give out information and news to all those registered on our mailing list. If you would like to be added to our mailing list fill in the form on the homepage.
Vacancies: The centre has been awarded some funding from the Edward Harvist Trust, which includes a member of staff to help develop the Community Food Hub project. If you are interested in applying for the post – please download the Job Description and Application form from the website.
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