CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 2014 TO 2015.

The year began optimistically, with a grant from RCVDA, on the 5th September 2014, in the Conference Room of Emmanuel Church Hall. Emmanuel has disabled access, accessible toilets, is on bus routes going both ways, and has a fair sized car park. There is a long ramp on the front for easy access for equipment. It also has wi-fi, a 32inch screen for DVD and powerpoint presentations and comfortable seating. There is a hall for exercise when required. We have our own coffee making facilities and most visitors are impressed by the venue. Initially we embarked on a survey of required activities and the collated list was used to construct a six month plan. Arts and crafts formed the basis of half of the activities, so occupied the afternoons, whilst activities which stretched and challenged both the mind and sometimes the body took place in the morning. The idea was inclusivity and visual, auditory and kinaesthetic means of presentation have been used with a variety of speakers and presenters who have been gracious enough to give their time freely. The exercise session has always been taken by professionally insured dancers or instructors. Christmas time brought about some wonderful activities, meals out, home catering, Wilton Male Voice Choir and a professional magician. An additional grant was received from Tees Valley. Photography started to be used by the group and a google+ site set up by Mandy’s husband Keith and all speakers received a small pictorial thank you along with the normal thank you e-mail. This was a good formula. The New Year developed slowly at first but the definite division of the morning into cerebral activity(with provision for all levels) and low impact exercise expanded with the introduction of self-defence lessons, walking football from Middlesbrough football club, African drumming as well as our previous dancing and sing-a-long sessions. Speakers also started to volunteer to come forward and volunteer to talk on all sorts of unusual subjects. Now we have the sports division of the council offering soft golf, swimming and walks. They can also offer a healthy eating course. The council are also offering a course which is specifically for mental health patients and will be based in Emmanuel. There has also been an approach by a distance learningcollege offering NCFE level 1, 2 and 3 courses for free. Many have taken up this opportunity. Paul, at Destinations, has offered us a marvellous opportunity for developing group I/T and presentation skills and Garry Stonehouse has also offered assistance. Steve Thompson of Teesside University, of course, supervises our website and our recent membership of East Cleveland Online, supported by the other online community members, under Steve’s leadership, offers some real opportunities for group and individual development. There have also been some courses offered by RCVDA and MIND as well and some have taken up offers on them. It must also be said that we have had the advantage of funding surgeries On outings, such as the owl centre there has been reduced admission to our group. We have also had a short break in October to Helmsley, where we visited Ampleforth, bird of prey centre and Revieulx and recently had a visit to the planetarium. Talk of the Town and Coastal View publish free articles and reduced rate advertising. Redcar and Cleveland council PIN also advertise us. The value of all our free speakers, presenters, teachers, entertainers, and the rest when added up must come to literally thousands of pounds and I for one would like to say thank you. The arts and crafts group is thriving and has necessitated consideration for a move into the hall. The disadvantage of this is the lack of facilities for presentations on screen which some speakers prefer. So, there has been a direct appeal to all schools and colleges in the area in the area for old equipment. (See Talk of the Town) Then as far as donations are concerned, Jean raised money on the sponsored cycle, Mind officials donated, there have been hundreds donated in goods from the shops, there was a gift from Nicky’s mum’s darts team at Carlin Howe and I am told there will be a much appreciated gift from TOCH. In addition to the previously received two grants, we have also had one grant from the Parish Council and have one in wait from RCVDA. There are also two potentially large grants, one of which has to be re-applied for by invitation. The Aviva grant was short listed but we unfortunately did not collect

enough votes. A five year business plan is under construction under guidance of RCVDA and a self- assessed skills audits led to our recruitment drive and distance learning package uptake. With the addition of the educational and recreational groups providing us with extra sessions, other than those already planned, our 6 month programme became 8 month but then we did have another survey which revealed another 120 suggestions, which are already mentally resourced and we are running on that programme now. Attendance records, feedback and session reflections have been kept and analysed professionally. With the forthcoming addition to our balance of the RCVDA grant and TOCH gift, the group is in a good position and I would like to emphasise that our most important assets are the members. The members are the most wonderful people who would make anybody welcome and who are capable of positively meeting any new challenge that comes their way. Marion Anderson Grad Dip Phys CIM Cert Ed (Lit)