The week beginning 20 June was Age No Barrier Week, which was organised in association with Wiltshire Council and NHS Wiltshire - ‘to celebrate the contribution older people make to their communities and to recognise that age is no barrier for people to come together to make a positive contribution to their community. It is intended to also provide an opportunity for the different age groups within communities to use their skills and knowledge in such a way that they learn, enjoy and benefit from one another.’

Learning and enjoying are what the Time Bank likes best! On Thursday 25 June the newest members of the TB, Rushall School earned time credits by providing entertainment for older people in Rushall Village Hall. The reception class and Year 1 sang Spanish songs (they’ve all been learning Spanish this year). Then a selected group of Years 4, 5 & 6 came in and sang a medley of WW2 songs and some Beatles’ numbers. They’ve been studying Life In Britain Since the 1930s this term, so after they’d performed, the pupils sat with the ‘audience’ and grilled them for memories of times gone by.

They were very tactful, eyeing up their victims before deciding to ask if we remembered the Blitz (NO!), the Coronation (no…) or the first Man on the Moon (um…yes….) There was much talk of television programmes (the first Doctor Who! Crackerjack!) and fashions (Remember Afghan coats anyone? Hot pants?) and at least one group had a very merry time remembering (and explaining) Vesta Curries!

As is so often the case with Time Bank activities, it’s hard to decide who benefited most from the afternoon. A big thank you to the school, the villagers who came along, and the Domestic Goddess who provided the cake.
Credits have been banked.

Believing in Devizes

VAK supports the voluntary sector that works as faith groups in your local community - visit believingindevizes.blogspot.com to see what's on this week.

Away Day Planning

At last Summer is under way here in Wiltshire, and VAK is busy planning ahead. Yesterday the staff and Trustees met for a very interesting and productive Away Day in Devizes, and had the opportunity to hear from Sandie Lewis, the new Head of Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy for Wiltshire Council. Thank you, Sandie, for sparing time to come and talk to us, even before you are in post!

For our latest news please click here for our May ebulletin, and make sure you visit our website for latest jobs and news.

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Spring is here!

The sun is shining and all is well in the VAK office - hopefully you have great plans for the Bank Holiday weekend - for a little light reading try the VAK April eBulletin, available now on our website http://tinyurl.com/c4qheu.

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Debby has been out and about spreading the Time Bank word over the past month. You might have seen her at the Greener Living Roadshow in the Bouverie Hall in Pewsey, or at the event to promote community groups on 28 March. A lot of people picked up information leaflets and application forms and were generally very interested in finding out about the Time Bank, so let’s hope that we’ll be signing up more members soon. As ever, if you’re interested in finding out more about the Time Bank, contact Debby (01672 564140).

The Time Bank has been working with Meadow Court in Pewsey, an extra-care housing scheme for older people. We’ve had one highly enjoyable coffee morning, which we hope to make a regular event. The residents are developing ideas about activities they’d like, which we hope the Time Bank can help to deliver, and other residents would just like someone to visit and chat to them.

The Thursday evening “English Club” for speakers of other languages is going well – we have half-a-dozen Time Bankers who turn up as and when they can, and about ten semi-regular learners. For about an hour and a half there’s a chance to practice speaking English for learners of varying levels of skill and confidence in a very friendly and informal setting. We’ve got people from Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Spain and the Philippines who are getting out, making friends, and (we hope) having fun. There are usually biscuits on offer (or cake, or a rather nice Hungarian supper dish – a herby/paprika-y - cheesey thing, spread on bread – highly recommended!). We’re very grateful indeed to the PACT centre staff who keep the centre open a little later on those evenings – it’s much appreciated.

All these activities by and for TB members means that we’ve totted up 197 hours (going up all the time) of voluntary activity – which is 394 hours in Time Bank calculations, as receiving and giving service are of equal importance. Member numbers are now up to 33 (and a couple of applications outstanding) so we continue to grow. Long may it last!

Devizes Carnival of Fair Trade

On Saturday 21st February Devizes Town Hall hosted a Carnival of Fair Trade. The event was organised and supported by Wiltshire Churches Together, Voluntary Action Kennet, Devizes Fairtrade Group and Devizes Town Hall. This was a celebration of the commitment to fair trade by the churches, diocese and towns in Wiltshire. The aim was to come together to organise a day of feasting and fun and to promote Fairtrade Fortnight, 23rd Feb to 8th March.

Throughout the day there were a variety of events, including a church service led by Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ramsbury, attended by mayors from across Wiltshire. We were entertained by jazz from Kennet Vale Band, and had the opportunity to hear from a variety of speakers in the afternoon, including Bridgit Strawbridge from TV’s ‘It’s not easy being green’. Kids and families had the chance to take part in a quiz and treasure map challenge.

Around 20 stalls came to promote fairly traded goods and stallholders included Plush Chocolates, Fruto del Espiritu juices from Columbia, Silverchilli jewellry, Love Zimbabwe and Fiema Crafts. Local supporters of fairly traded goods included The India Shop, Wiltshire Village Meats and Abecketts Vineyard.

Fair trade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. This applies at home as well as overseas. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), fair trade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives. The Carnival day was a great success - thank you to everyone who came along and offered support for this event.
Remember to support Fairtrade Fortnight!