Good afternoon,
I hope you’re well. My name is Ellie Plummer, and I am an Activity and Engagement officer for Bristol and the South-West with the charity Re-engage. I am circulating the below to be posted as Newsletter content in relation to the launch of our new activity groups for over 75s in Bristol. Is there a charity newsletter you are able to publicise us in? Do let me know if there is anything else you need or any edits that need to be made:
“Re-engage are running a free activity group in your area for the over 75’s!
Re-engage is a national charity dedicated to connecting people to their communities. Our activity groups bring people over 75 together in local communities across Bristol to keep people active through exercise sessions, tai chi, gardening, boules, carpet curling and dancing.
The meetings are free and we provide light refreshments. They are supported by volunteers and we recruit drivers who can take older people to and from our regular groups which meet for around 2 hours every fortnight or month. Activities are inclusive for all those that attend.
Do you know someone who might benefit from our regular activity groups?
Or would you like to help us set up or coordinate a group in your area?
To find the full list of current groups across Bristol please visit Activity groups for people aged 75 and over in Bristol and the South West (reengage.org.uk) or call us on 0800 716543.
To find our full list of roles or to have a chat through about our role, visit: Social activity groups for older people (reengage.org.uk) or call us on 0800716543. All of our roles require you to complete a DBS check which Re-engage will cover the cost of.”
Further info:
We’re starting a new project across Bristol & the South-West of England to provide free activity groups for those aged 75+. I’ve put some information below, but it would be great to set up a meeting to find out about your role in the Bristol area.
Activity groups in Bristol & South-West
https://www.reengage.org.uk/join-a-group/social-activity-groups/
Re-engage have been awarded funding by the Dulverton trust for 3 years to host free physical activity groups for people over the age of 75, to help reduce loneliness and improve general health and wellbeing. We aim to host physical activities and/or exercise groups delivered by instructors and volunteers which will run on a fortnightly or monthly basis, for around 2 hours. As part of our free groups, we provide light refreshments to all those attending. Activities will vary from Tai Chi, chair exercise and accessible Zumba, to skittles, boccia and cornhole. We recruit volunteer drivers who can provide transport to and from our groups.
We currently run the project across Wales and West Yorkshire and are launching the new project in Bristol. Here, you can see a snippet of our groups from Wales. https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-11-02/its-given-me-new-life-the-over-75s-shaking-off-loneliness-by-getting-active
We’re hoping to link with referrers, new instructors/volunteers, and organisations to find out more about the area and provide something that’s needed and with older people at the heart of its design.
I can pop by with a couple of flyers that might gather some interest from volunteers, or you might be able to recommend any accessible venues I can get in touch with?
Finally, if you know anyone who may wish to set up a group in their area the following links may be useful:
Become a volunteer (group coordinator) helping older people (reengage.org.uk)
Become a volunteer (activity lead) helping older people (reengage.org.uk)
Become a volunteer driver helping older people (reengage.org.uk)
Please let me know what you adivse and I look forward to hearing back.
All the best,
Ellie Plummer
Activities and Engagement Officer – Bristol/South-West
Ellie.Plummer@reengage.org.uk
Telephone: +44 1786 618013
Pronouns: she/her
Usual office hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-5.30pm
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