On Tuesday 4th October, the community of Silsoe gathered together for a special 20th Anniversary tea party to celebrate 20 years of ‘Silsoe Offers Support’.
Silsoe Offers Support is a Good Neighbour Group which was set up by Fran Neal in 2002. Beds RCC helped them to begin by giving them a grant for the mobile phone used to contact clients, and providing guidance.
Over the years, Silsoe Offers Support have helped with a variety of jobs including lifts to and from appointments, befriending, collecting prescriptions, and gardening.
I am very grateful for the lifts to appointments. They really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Personally I think [Silsoe Offers Support] is a wonderful gift.
Eirlys Chesters
After setting up, it was then decided to start a monthly tea room to give people in the village the opportunity to gather together and enjoy tea and delicious homemade cake. The tea room runs on the first Tuesday of the month, 2-4pm at Silsoe Village Hall. There is also a Christmas lunch, which is enjoyed by many during the festive period.
In 2005, the group were pleased to receive the High Sheriff’s Award for helping the community, which gave them another reason to celebrate the hard work of the volunteers.
At the special 20th celebration on Tuesday 4th October, Chair Alison Newnham shared:
I am delighted to celebrate 20 years of Silsoe Offers Support. It is especially wonderful to be able to celebrate after Covid-19 and all the changes this brought about. It’s also lovely to have the gifts from Small Acts of Kindness as well, which both the clients and volunteers can enjoy.
Alison Newnham, Chair of Silsoe Offers Support
As part of the celebrations, Beds RCC’s Justine Hunt presented Alison with a certificate to recognise the hard work carried out by so many during the 20 years of the Good Neighbour Group.
[Clients] benefit so much from what you do, their quality of life goes up and they are happier and healthier. You do so much, and yet you still fit in ordinary life … so you are a perfect Good Neighbour Group!
Justine Hunt, Team Leader – Care and Support Services
Charity ‘Small Acts of Kindness‘ also kindly provided each attendee with a mug filled with an activity book, tea, hot chocolate, and more treats for them to enjoy. Beds RCC have been working with the charity to create these.
The event took place the week before Good Neighbours Week, which this year has the theme: ‘Share a Cuppa’ – so it was a very fitting celebration.
Thank you to everybody that has contributed to Silsoe Offers Support over the years, and here is to another 20 years!