Clent Connect The last few months have continued to go very well for Clent Connect, and thanks to the involvement of so many volunteers, a lot has been achieved.
What’s been happening?
>> Our café, open every Wednesday and Saturday morning, continues to be a popular place for local people to meet. On Wednesdays, more than 60 people come along, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation in the community.
>> Clent Connect has also added more free services; in addition to our separate legal and financial advice surgeries, the Citizens Advice team now holds a ‘drop-in’ clinic once a month!
>> Jacqui Brocklebank runs a thriving weekly preschool children and carer session in the outdoor space behind the Parish Hall. It’s a Forest School-style session where children and their carers can enjoy outdoor play and learning.
>> Bradley Thomas the local MP has recently held a surgery at the café – with another one planned in the summer
>> In March the Clent Connect Day was a great success. About 150 people attended, including lots of families and new faces from the community.
>> The Health Bus (as facilitated the local Health NHS Trust) visited in the spring and was a great success- it’s scheduled to come back in July, with a family focus.
>> Seasonal events are also a regular part of life here. There are lively markets in the Hall every quarter, and each October, there’s our annual apple pressing day, where people can make and buy fresh apple juice (which you can also buy in the shop). Many other fun activities are being planned!
>> The large group of litter pickers continue their hard work, and the Parish Youth Council are now involved which is great news
>> The Clent Connect shop remains popular and helps support local projects. It makes a small profit that is reinvested into the community, such as environmental projects at schools and new benches outside the shop.
>> The community newsletter is delivered to every home in Clent four times a year, keeping everyone informed. The website has been updated recently, and Clent Connect is also gaining a growing presence on social media platforms.
However, Clent Connect is about much more than just events. Everything we do is linked to our overall mission of helping people connect, reducing loneliness, and giving residents a sense of belonging. It also provides opportunities and sense of purpose for those able to join us as volunteers.
We are very proud to say that each month, Clent Connect helps facilitate over 1,300 face-to-face social interactions. More than 70 volunteers are actively involved, all gaining personal benefits from their participation.
Overall, the positive impact on our community has been significant. None of this would be possible without the hard work of all the volunteers and the financial support from Clent Parish Council, Bromsgrove District Council, the Parish Hall Trustees, and many generous individuals.
A big thank you to everyone who has helped make Clent Connect a lively, caring, and connected place!
