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Volume 4 Issue 3

Houghton Regis Helpers E-News

If you are Interested in Volunteering with

Houghton Regis Helpers, please SEE the BACK PAGE for

contact details...

May 2018

Welcome to May 2018 edition of

E-News

Getting ready for GDPR!

No doubt you will all have heard about the

new General Data Protection Regulation

(GDPR) that will apply from 25 May 2018.

GDPR will be a new EU-wide law and, even

though the UK is planning to leave the EU,

all organisations in the UK must still comply .

Houghton Regis Helpers committee have

been working hard to ensure our policies

and processes for collecting, processing and

sharing personal information meet the new

Regulation - read more about GDPR on

page 2.

PLUS inside this Issue:

Recent activities and events

Talks and Partnerships

Events coming up

Who’s Who Photo booth!

Safeguarding

Training Dates

Helping at Easter Fair 2018

Find out what we have

planned for Volunteers’

Week 2018! - see page 3

Quarter 1

Facts &

Figures…

page 5!

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Houghton Regis Helpers E-News Getting GDPR ready...

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018. The Regulation replaces the existing law on data protection (the Data Protection Act 1998) and gives individuals more rights and protection on how their personal data is used by organisations. Like all other organisations, Houghton Regis Helpers has an obligation to comply with the GDPR when collecting, processing and sharing personal information. The committee has ratified a new Data Protection Policy, which will be available for viewing on our website. To ensure we are open and transparent with individu-als, both our volunteers and our service-users, Houghton Regis Helpers will keep individuals informed through Privacy Notices, which explain how personal information and data is collected, processed and shared, and for how long the data is retained.

The Privacy Notice for Service-users and the Privacy Notice for Volunteers will be available on our website www.houghtonregishelpers.co.uk

Houghton Regis Helpers will ensure that practices and procedures uphold the GDPR rights of individuals: the right to be informed; the right of access; the right to rectification; the right to erasure; the right to restrict processing; the right to data portability; the right to object; and the right not to be subject to automated decision-making including profiling.

Individuals have the right to request information on the personal data that is held and can request this information by making a subject access request to the Secretary who is appointed Data Protection Controller/Processor. We will respond to requests within one month and will usually be free of charge.

Recent activities and events...

Easter hats, Spin-the-Wheel and serving

refreshments!

A successful

Easter Fair and

Easter Egg Hunt

in Houghton

Regis, 31 March

2018!

Thank you to all

our volunteers

who came along

to help and

support this

community

event, raising a

nice profit for our funds.

On 15 April several volunteers attended the

Town Mayor’s Civic Service at All Saints’ Church

and enjoyed the tea afterwards in the Memorial

Hall. Town Mayor Joanna Hillyard has had a

busy year and we wish her well for the future.

Mainly for Men coffee mornings...Twelve

gentlemen and volunteers enjoyed the Spring quiz

competition at the coffee morning on Wednesday 4

April. They were very

competitive participants!

And the theme on 2 May was

GADGETS! Each coffee

morning has a theme but we

are very informal and most

men just enjoy a good chat or game of dominoes!

Mainly for Men coffee

mornings, hosted by

Houghton Regis Helpers, are

held on the first Wednesday of

the month, from 11 a.m. to

12.30 p.m. in the front lounge at Red House Court,

Clarkes Way. The mornings provide a chance for

men to meet socially for a chat; to share experiences

and hobbies; and the occasional guest speaker.

Drinks and biscuits (and sometimes cake!) are

available, free of charge. Ladies are welcome to

attend, if accompanying a gentleman!

The next date is Wednesday 6 June, during Volunteers’

Week - see more on page 3...

For more information, or if you need help with

transport, call 07587 004514

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CELEBRATE WITH US! Volunteering for all is the

theme for Volunteers’ Week 2018 - a National event established in

1984 to say Thank You for the fantastic contribution volunteers make in so many diverse ways.

Houghton Regis Helpers will be celebrating at the Cheering Volunteering Awards at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable on

Tuesday 5 June. Now in its 4th year, this event celebrates volunteering across Central Bedfordshire. In 2016 we achieved ‘Group of the Year’ and last year, 2017, we were awarded an ‘Inspiring Volunteering’ grant, which has enabled us to arrange more social activities for our local residents and to engage with young people in Houghton Regis. This year our volunteers will once again be hosting an Information Stand in the upper foyer of the theatre, prior to the Awards. Always a fun evening, with entertainment and a chance to meet volunteers from a wide range of groups and organisations.

Volunteers’ Coffee Morning and Buffet Lunch

Wednesday 6 June Our volunteers are invited to a

special Thank You coffee morning and buffet lunch to be held at Red

House Court, Clarkes Way, from 11 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Guest Speaker will talk about Neighbourhood

Policing and Burglary Prevention. Volunteers - look out for your special Invitation

coming soon!

Houghton Regis Helpers E-News

Award winners 2016!

Talks and Partnerships...

As a voluntary organisation in our local

community Houghton Regis Helpers often work

in partnership with other organisations,

community groups and other professionals.

Working together helps achieve our aim to help

those in need, either for the benefit of

individuals or for enabling vulnerable adults and

those living alone to socialise and form new

friendships. Recent links have been made with...

The committee met Jack Adams-RImmer,

Neighbourhood Development Officer at

Dunstable Town Council, who spoke about

activities and projects he and his team support in

Dunstable. These include Over 55’s coffee

mornings; luncheon clubs; After-school clubs;

and a new History of Dunstable project aimed at

men. Residents of Houghton Regis are welcome

to participate in these events - to find out more

about activities for young people and over 55’s

visit: www.dunstable.gov.uk

ON 24 April our Secretary,

Jenny, visited the local

Carers in Bedfordshire

group at Houghton Regis

Library and gave a short presentation on Houghton

Regis Helpers. Carers in Bedfordshire are a not-for-

profit charity providing support and advice for

unpaid carers of family members or friends across

Bedfordshire. The Houghton Regis group meet

informally once a month in the Library, on a Tuesday

from 1 to 3 p.m., allowing carers to meet other

carers in a similar situation, to socialise, make new

friends and learn more about other services and

support available. Want to know more? Contact

Sharon Rogers: sharon.rogers@carersinbeds.org.uk

Noah Enterprise is a Luton-based charity working

across Bedfordshire offering hope and

support to people struggling against

homelessness and exclusion. We met

with Noah to discus their new project

Café Connect - supporting local people to

meet together for Tea and Cake. More news of these

events in our next E-News or phone 01582 726152

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Events coming up!

Looking ahead to May and June, here is news of events

going on in Houghton Regis and beyond!

May Fair on Saturday 5 May on the Village Green.

Houghton Regis Helpers have been invited once again to provide

the Afternoon Teas in the Pavilion, including a special tea for the

Town Mayor, the May Queen and her attendants. This event is

always a good day out, and includes Maypole Dancing, stalls and

live music! Any volunteers who are free to help with the teas

please contact Jenny on 07587 004514 - thank you!

On Sunday 13 May 2018 Houghton Regis Helpers will be

represented at HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire’s

‘Annual Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication for Voluntary

Organisations in Bedfordshire’

This year the Service takes place at Bunyan Meeting in Bedford.

On 19 May Houghton Regis Town Council invites residents and visitors to help celebrate the Royal

Wedding! Lots happening on the Village Green, including the official opening of the NEW Play and Sports

area near Clarkes Way at 1 p.m. This area will include adult gym equipment - fun for all ages!

The Mayor’s Afternoon Tea on the Bowls Green & Robin Hines Memorial Trophy Saturday 12th May 2018

from 2pm - 4pm: The Town Mayor of Houghton Regis, Councillor Joanna Hillyard will be hosting an ‘Afternoon Tea

on the Bowls Green’ .

The event will be taking place at the Moore Crescent Sports Pavilion, Moore Crescent, Houghton Regis, which backs

onto the Houghton Regis Bowls Green. Subject to the weather on the day, there will also be an opportunity to try a

game of bowls on the Bowling Green itself. Tickets for this event cost £5 per person to include afternoon tea and the

funds raised will be directed towards the Mayor’s nominated charities, which are Streetlife, Recycled Teenagers and

Houghton Regis Youth Club, and Macmillan Cancer Care, in memory of Councillor Robin Hines, who sadly passed

away earlier on in the year. There will also be a raffle on the day. The dress code for this function will be lounge suits

and decorations may be worn. If you would like try a game of Bowls, it is also requested that you wear flat soled

shoes. If you would like to attend, please contact Sarah Gelsthorp sarah.gelsthorp@houghtonregis.org.uk

Houghton Regis Helpers E-News

Why not go along to

Houghton Hall Park

Open Day on Sunday

20 May from 10 a.m. to

3 p.m. A full

programme of free

activities for all the

family.

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Houghton Regis Helpers E-News

Chair: Eric Secretary:

Jenny

Rae Carol Susan Ange

Peter & Betty Yvonne & Sue

Who’s Who Photo Booth - Houghton Regis Helpers Honorary Officers and Committee 2018!

COMMITTEE

MEMBERS

Facts & Figures!

The first Quarterly return for 2018 was submitted

to BRCC (Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity)

at the end of March. Thank you to our great team

of Volunteers who helped in so many ways,

especially during the snow and ice when some

residents needed extra help.

Between January and March 2018:

48 individual residents contacted us for help,

14 of whom were new callers

327 ‘jobs’ were completed - including…

57 trips by our volunteer drivers

42 DIY jobs in and around the home

14 shopping trips

101 visits or phone calls by

our befrienders

11 form-filling, letter-writing

and help with emails

37 jobs involving advocacy, advice and

signposting residents to other organisations

25 occasions when we worked with other

professionals and other agencies

4 occasions when volunteers were involved in

social and community events, involving at

least 10 volunteers at each event

Treasurer:

Sheila

Vice-Chair:

Terry

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The next issue of E-News will be

JULY 2018

Please send your articles, photos,

ideas to the Editor…

contact details above.

T H E B A C K PA G E

Houghton Regis Helpers E-News

Phone:

07587 004514

Email:

houghtonregishelpers

@hotmail.co.uk

Like, or join, our

Facebook group page!

Houghton Regis Helpers

Website:

www.houghtonregishelpers.co.uk

Postal address:

Houghton Regis Helpers

c/o Houghton Regis Town Council,

Peel Street

Houghton Regis

LU5 5EY

How to Contact Us

We send warmest get

well wishes to our Treasurer,

Sheila, who has fractured her foot, and

to Peter who had a recent stay in hospital.

Thinking of you!

SAFEGUARDING (Vulnerable Adults)

AWARENESS TRAINING

for new volunteers and as a Refresher course

As good neighbour volunteers helping adults and their families in

the local community it is important to be aware of the risks to and

needs of vulnerable people with whom we have contact. The issues

facing volunteers are changing all the time and it is important to be

kept up to date. The training will provide you with the background

knowledge and awareness of safeguarding vulnerable adults, both

to protect our clients and yourselves, and guidance on how to act in

an emergency situation.

We offer the training in-house which is free to Houghton Regis

Helpers volunteers. You only need to attend ONE 2 hour session

and you will receive a certificate for attending the course.

Dates

Saturday 9 June 2018 10.30 to 12.30 @ Red House Court

OR

Thursday 14 June 2018 10.30 to 12.30 @ Houghton Regis Town

Council Offices

Details of the course will be circulated to all Houghton Regis

Helpers volunteers. If others are interested, please contact Jenny

on 07587 004514 or email houghtonregishelpers@hotmail.co.uk

Call us on 0300 303 6666

INFORMATION AND ADVICE

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Local gardening service - phone

Patrick Fill 07533 129911