Latest news with #Reengage
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘I volunteer to help lonely older people – and it's taught me invaluable lessons'
A girl from Barrowford has explained the 'amazing' experience he has had helping lonely older people. Harriet Tucker, from Barrowford, who is studying at the University of Edinburgh, is nearing completion of her stint with Re-engage, which provides services for those aged 75 and over. She is delighted she enlisted for the Research 100 programme. 'It delivered far more than I ever expected,' said Harriet, 22, who is originally from Burnley. 'To say the experience I've gained is invaluable would be an understatement.' The programme was launched last November, and students have to commit to 100 hours of volunteering over 12 months. So far, seven have taken part and successfully progressed through the selection process. The scheme was initiated by Sabrina Blighe, policy and impact officer at Re-engage, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and provides free monthly tea parties, activity groups and call befriending services for older people. 'When I was at university, it's exactly the sort of thing I would have loved to do,' said Sabrina. 'We offer the opportunity to take part in telephone surveys, data entry and literature reviews as well as work experience with our various teams. 'The students develop communication and research skills, learn how to write reports and the ability to solve problems. "These are all things that will help them throughout life.' Harriet, who got a 2:1 in sociology and psychology, added: 'When I saw the programme on the university website, I thought it would be an amazing experience – and it has been. 'I was encouraged to do a variety of things, literature reviews on loneliness, speaking to older people who are joining the charity for a service, and taking notes at an advisory group meeting. "Whatever I showed an interest in, Sabrina encouraged me to get involved. 'I was able to do one of the interviews to celebrate the charity's Diamond Jubilee. I spent ages on the phone building a rapport with a lady who was told she didn't have long to live when she was 83, and now she's 90. That story has been published now. 'There was safeguarding and diversity training, and Sabrina was always on hand to answer any questions. In fact, she would usually contact me first to make sure everything was all right. 'The work experience included a couple of days with the engagement team, who asked me to scope a part of Essex to see what services there were for older people and if Re-engage could start up a tea party group there. 'Everyone was supportive, and they even listened to my feedback about contacting candidates earlier to explain what they were doing. It's in the programme now. 'I hadn't ever thought about working with older people, but after this experience, it's certainly something I'd consider now.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wiltshire in Pictures: Stunning Salisbury blooms
Continued good weather has made for some good snaps this week - but a Wiltshire resident has also been in the presence of royalty and another has celebrated her 111th birthday. Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival has seen the ancient space filled with stunning and creative blooms and displays. Wrestling's return delighted a crowd in Swindon, and a new hotshot has signed for Chippenham Town. Floral bonanza: Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival is on this week, finishing on Sunday. This year the event is called The Spirit of Water. More than 500 arrangers put together more than 30,000 blossoms for the festival, which was expected to attract about 15,000 visitors. Returning hero. Having trained in the town many years ago at the renowned 4FW (Four Front Wrestling) training, Eddie Ryan returned last weekend as the reigning Kingdom Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. Known as 'The English Lion', he was part of the line-up at the Deanery Theatre (below). Royal recognition: Steve Coles, 72 from Melksham, has been helping young people by volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award for 55 years, partly through his work with the sea cadets too. This week, he got to meet His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at a Buckingham Palace celebration. Time for tea: A group that helps tackle loneliness has just celebrated 50 years of monthly tea parties. The Royal Wootton Bassett group of Re-engage has so far held 600 tea parties, prepared more than 7,000 scones, eaten at least 10,000 egg sandwiches and sipped more than 12,000 cups of tea. Rising star: Year 10 pupil at Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon, Bubacarr, has signed for Chippenham Town. He spent five weeks on trial before being offered a contract - the fastest time any player has done this for the club's under-16s team. He currently plays as a striker for Swindon Town Football Club's Boys advanced team, recently scoring seven goals in a tournament in Barcelona. A contrasting scene; Weather watcher Katrina captured a brief moment of dark cloud over Salisbury's water meadows and cathedral in what was otherwise a sunny day. Very big birthday: Anne Baker has been celebrating her 111th birthday as the oldest woman in Wiltshire. Her son David told the BBC it is not as easy for her to converse anymore but she is still sharp, often solving crossword clues. Mental health week: Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind organised a number of events for the national awareness week, including an art activity at Gorse Hill, Swindon. Wonderful weeds: Considered a pest by some, the beauty of thistles was captured by weather watcher Thistledown with this photograph of a sea of purple flowers in Great Bedwyn. Evening strolls: As the days become longer, it has become a little easier to take moon pictures and warmer for a walk too, as weather watcher Nelly PS did in Froxfield. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Wiltshire in Pictures: VE Day and bank holiday sun Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunshine and school success Wiltshire in Pictures: Flowers and Easter flames Wiltshire in pics: Magical murals and an Easter donkey Wiltshire in Pictures: Blossoms and celebrations Wiltshire in pictures: Sun, wonky roads and pigeons Wiltshire in Pictures: Let the music play Wiltshire in pics: Spring equinox and indoor moon Wiltshire in pics: cows, Crufts and challenges Wiltshire in pictures: Sunshine and Shrove Tuesday Wiltshire in pictures: Crocuses and a tiny newt Wiltshire in pictures: Bird life and art hunt Wiltshire in Pictures: Romance in the animal world Wiltshire in Pics: Football, floods and remembrance Wiltshire in Pictures: Tunnels, murals and sunrises Wiltshire in Pictures: Toothbrushes, tigers and barges Wiltshire in pictures: animals enjoying the snow Wiltshire in pictures: Cold snap brings frosty scenes Wiltshire in pictures: Presents, bats and meerkats Wiltshire in Pictures: Star Wars and 'Fudgehenge' Wiltshire in Pics: Prince William and Storm Bert Wiltshire in pictures: Remembrance and light shows Wiltshire in pictures: Royal visit and mason's award Wiltshire in pictures: Halloween and sacred stones Wiltshire in pictures: Daleks, bats and pigs Wiltshire in pictures: Welcoming the troops home In pictures: Dragons, cows and Jane Austen Wiltshire in pictures: Culture and murals Wiltshire in pictures: Spinal tattoos to air tattoos Wiltshire in pictures: Exotic animals and Stonehenge Wiltshire in pictures: Silhouettes and bras Wiltshire in pictures: Reunions, sunflowers and maize Wiltshire in pictures: New sports hub and wartime cakes
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wiltshire in pictures: Salisbury flowers and Swindon wrestling
Continued good weather has made for some good snaps this week - but a Wiltshire resident has also been in the presence of royalty and another has celebrated her 111th Cathedral's Flower Festival has seen the ancient space filled with stunning and creative blooms and return delighted a crowd in Swindon, and a new hotshot has signed for Chippenham Town. Floral bonanza: Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival is on this week, finishing on Sunday. This year the event is called The Spirit of Water. More than 500 arrangers put together more than 30,000 blossoms for the festival, which was expected to attract about 15,000 visitors. Returning hero. Having trained in the town many years ago at the renowned 4FW (Four Front Wrestling) training, Eddie Ryan returned last weekend as the reigning Kingdom Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. Known as 'The English Lion', he was part of the line-up at the Deanery Theatre (below). Royal recognition: Steve Coles, 72 from Melksham, has been helping young people by volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award for 55 years, partly through his work with the sea cadets too. This week, he got to meet His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at a Buckingham Palace celebration. Time for tea: A group that helps tackle loneliness has just celebrated 50 years of monthly tea parties. The Royal Wootton Bassett group of Re-engage has so far held 600 tea parties, prepared more than 7,000 scones, eaten at least 10,000 egg sandwiches and sipped more than 12,000 cups of tea. Rising star: Year 10 pupil at Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon, Bubacarr, has signed for Chippenham Town. He spent five weeks on trial before being offered a contract - the fastest time any player has done this for the club's under-16s team. He currently plays as a striker for Swindon Town Football Club's Boys advanced team, recently scoring seven goals in a tournament in Barcelona. A contrasting scene; Weather watcher Katrina captured a brief moment of dark cloud over Salisbury's water meadows and cathedral in what was otherwise a sunny day. Very big birthday: Anne Baker has been celebrating her 111th birthday as the oldest woman in Wiltshire. Her son David told the BBC it is not as easy for her to converse anymore but she is still sharp, often solving crossword clues. Mental health week: Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind organised a number of events for the national awareness week, including an art activity at Gorse Hill, Swindon. Wonderful weeds: Considered a pest by some, the beauty of thistles was captured by weather watcher Thistledown with this photograph of a sea of purple flowers in Great Bedwyn. Evening strolls: As the days become longer, it has become a little easier to take moon pictures and warmer for a walk too, as weather watcher Nelly PS did in Froxfield.
