A community group in Bingham has received vital funding from Reach Rushcliffe to help expand their meetings and hold digital get-togethers to keep their members engaged.
Bingham u3a has received funds to assist with their campaign against loneliness and social isolation that it has been spearheading since 2017 in line with Rushcliffe Borough Council’s initiative which launched last year.
The group are now set to create an even greater online presence in line with u3a’s nationwide ‘Going Forward Together’ project, to increase their membership and hold even more virtual meetings to those online and harder to reach members who may be at risk of social isolation.
The support will also help with training and infrastructure costs of digitising these virtual group get-togethers and the costs of general publicity of the meetings such as banners, newsletters and flyers to reach the new members.
The funding will build on some of the activities that have included members writing and publishing novels and short stories and setting up their own online radio station, radio u3a.
It’s even assisted charity efforts including a 1305-mile tour of Britain, completed by one of the group’s members, all without leaving his back garden, that raised an amazing £715 for the NHS.
The Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community and The Environment Cllr Abby Brennan met with group members and the chairman John Lewis at the Buttercross in Bingham to hear more about how the funding will help them.
Cllr Brennan said: “I’m delighted that Reach Rushcliffe has been able to support another fantastic organisation in their efforts to keep group members engaged, especially those who may not be able to access their services online.
“It’s still set to be an incredibly challenging time for many of our residents as we adapt safely to Central Government’s COVID road map.
“Groups such as this will continue to provide a lifeline and it’s great to see Bingham u3a helping their members keep in touch with creative activities such as their podcast and newsletter.
“We would encourage any organisations also looking to safely reduce social isolation in their part of Rushcliffe to apply for funding through Reach Rushcliffe by visiting www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/health/reachrushcliffe/.”
The group are a diverse non-profit independent community group of lively and friendly people who engage in a range of exciting and fun events.
They are part of a worldwide movement that has more than half a million members in the UK with a motto ‘Learn, Laugh, Live’. There are no age rules for those hoping to join and their activities are not academic.
John said: “The group has been active in the struggle against loneliness and its adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Members always recommend others to get involved to reduce social isolation and maintain physical and mental health.
“We’re so pleased to receive this funding from Rushcliffe Borough Council, which means we can further publicise our group and hopefully attract more local residents who are at risk of being socially isolated.
“We’re really proud of what we have achieved and as we say, ‘feeling lonely, feeling blue? u3a is good for you!’.”
Athena Hodge, Bingham u3a’s Programme and Meetings Manager said: “We’ve used virtual video conferencing platforms that have really helped reach out and engage members but also identify ways we can keep in touch with those who are not yet online.
“This has included a varied, interesting and entertaining programme and working in partnership with 103 The Eye FM to develop our radio station.
“It would be great for outdoor activities to resume but until this happens, we’re staying in touch with members with a printed copy of our monthly newsletter, utilising a telephone tree system and we’re hoping to contribute to u3a radio which has recently aired its fourth podcast.”
To view more information on Bingham u3a, residents can visit their website www.binghamu3a.org to view their latest newsletter, visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/binghamu3abingham and those wishing to join the group can do so by phoning Karen Peters on 01949 875406 or emailing bingham.u3a.membership@gmail.com
