Welcome to the summer issue of our e-newsletter. Each issue we’ll be covering a topic from all stages of the parenting experience to make sure that there’s something for everyone, the theme this issue is volunteering, a term that we think sounds more daunting than it really is. To show this, we’ve got lots of articles on how to get involved, how simple it can be, and why you might want to! If you're feeling inspired, please do get in touch, or come along to our next meeting or event! And in the meantime, please read on and enjoy...
Jenny Sansom, Branch Co-ordinator & Katie Griffiths, Newsletter Editor
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Why get involved?
We have a number of vacancies and there are a few critical ones which we must find people to take on or otherwise events such as our next Nearly New Sale will not take place, and we desperately need a team to take on the Treasurers & Branch Coordinator roles (details to follow later in the newsletter).
Personally, I got involved so I was not just ‘mummy’, I was reclaiming something for ‘me’ but that does not mean only Mums can take on a role. Whether you are a Mum, Dad or Grandparent, we’d be delighted to meet you and you need not be an NCT member. You need only bring along a bit of enthusiasm to help the branch in its aims to make the transition to parenthood as smooth as possible.
The commitment isn’t as big as you might think. You may receive and respond to an email or two every few days and perhaps do some behind the scenes admin linked to your role or some preparation for a forthcoming branch event but really, truthfully and honestly it is and can be what you make of it. If you happen to spend say at the most 2 hours a week, broken down that is about 15 minutes or so a day and with smart phones, laptops and tablets that can be done whilst out and about or in front of the TV.
Onto the branch news and we have had a really busy few months running events for the Staines, Ashford & Egham branch. Here is a flavour of what we have been up to (do get in touch if you too would like to get involved in some small way)…
Diamond Jubilee – Family Fun Day
We were thrilled to have raised over £550 to spend at our Friday Bumps and Babes group at our family fun day celebrating 60 years of the NCT which took place on Saturday 14th May. Why not take a look at our video which shows what we got up to.
Putting on events like the Tea Party does take a bit of organising, but many hands do make light work and to enable us to put on future events we’d love to hear from you.
We have so many ideas, future Baby Cinema and Family Cinema events, Buggy Walks, Open House Coffee Mornings, a new Buddy or Mentoring scheme, further Nearly New Sales (we may not be able to run another unless we can find a group of people to come forward and help organise the next one for the autumn!), Quiz Nights, Speed Bumps evenings for expectant parents, the list is endless!
Particular thanks must go to our Raffle prized donated by:
Amira's Younique Make-up, Tempo Tots,
Frankie & Bennies, The Red Lion Pub, Janet’s Dance and uniform shop, Ansells Butchers - Englefield Green, Genievieve's Pottery, Gymnastics.co.uk
Robert’s Florist - Staines, Shollys
Oh!Feminine Beauty, L'Scissors Hairdressers - Egham, Mothercare, Staines, Lindt Chocolate, Kaspas
Icecream Parlour - Egham, Mums plus
one
Amber Therapies
Teddy tennis
Thorpe park
Stitches upon Thames
Ready steady go kids
Twinkletots Dance
Baby sensory - Weybridge
Two rivers car park
Johnson's Shoes
Coworth Flexlands school
Floor by design - Egham carpet shop
The Wheatsheaf Pub
Savill gardens
Tangerine & Green
Notcutts Garden centre
The Spice Lounge Restaurant
Egham Leisure Centre
LongAcres garden centre
Thornton’s chocolates
Hands on Art - Old Windsor
King’s Fish and chips -Staines
Our NCT Stars
We were really chuffed that Michelle Nicklette (who many of you know ran our NCTeenies group for 4 years and stepped down last year) and Jenny Sansom (outgoing Branch Coordinator) were recognised at our Regional NCT Star Awards. Below is a picture of Michelle with Claire Shadbolt of the NCT receiving her certificate. In our eyes all our local branch volunteers are stars, however, to be nominated and appreciated at a higher regional level is the icing on top of the cake. As a volunteer, you are part of a friendly group of local parents but also part of something bigger with the support of the NCT HQ, its resources and training opportunities. These videos feature some of the NCT’s Regional volunteers and captures what drives us to put on events for local families like you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XN1mM3BXJJc
https://youtu.be/zGFzugucM-A
Open House Coffee Mornings
We have hosted a number of Coffee Mornings at people’s homes or at The Village Centre (Englefield Green, shown in the photo), all of which have been really well supported. We are conscious that not everyone can make Bumps and Babes and NCTeenies and so we are hosting these meet-ups open to all local families to come along and enjoy a play-date in a relaxed environment. Details of the meet-ups tend to be posted on Facebook so do follow us to keep up-to-date with spur of the moment gatherings. If you are interested in hosting an event in your home or at more neutral venue like The Village Centre, then please do let us know. We can promote it for you and help families meet and make new local friends. One mum who attended one of our recent gatherings said “When I commuted into London, I used my house like a hotel and I didn’t have any local friends. Having a new baby is a bit of a culture shock and making new friends locally who are going through the same thing, whilst a bit daunting, has been a life saver”.
NCT Cheeky Monkey’s
Tea Party
On Saturday 6th June 2015, the Staines, Ashford & Egham Branch hosted a Cheeky Monkey’s Tea Party which raised an incredible £470.81 for the NCT. We are so grateful to all the local families who supported us and we were lucky with a dry but breezy summer’s day where local parents brought their little ones and enjoyed a picnic, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts activities and a ride on the steam train (see photo!).
Commercial Park, in Staines, where the party took place was really busy. Many parents also helped us through baking cakes to sell, donating gifts and buying tickets for our raffle. A massive thank you must go to Sam Fowler who coordinated the organisation of the day and also the Staines Society of Model Engineers who donated all of their takings for the day to the Branch. Fingers crossed, with enough volunteers, we can replicate this fantastic day during 2016!
NCTeenies
A sad farewell was said in July to Michelle Nicklette who has run NCTeenies at Staines Congregational quam velit ac ligula. Mauris quam dolor, cursus at porta et, luctus eget purus. Nunc tempor luctus interdum. Duis libero leo, consequat ut accumsan eu, viverra et erat. Nunc rhoncus tellus in ipsum molestie et gravida tortor dignis-sim. Donec nec lorem et tellus mollis lobortis. Integer sed dolor ut leo.
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