From Amy:
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers and attendees at the Brownsover Family Winter Project (BFWP) for making me feel so welcome, when I joined them for an evening recently.
The BFWP was initially set up in response to the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on the community. In partnership with Christ Church, Brownsover Community Association and Boughton Leigh Infant School, they have come together to provide all school age families in Brownsover the opportunity of a free two-course hot meal for the whole family and a warm space every evening for children to play, socialise and complete homework. The project started in October 2022 and will continue every evening, including weekends, until the end of March 2023.
I arrived one Thursday at 4pm at Boughton Leigh Infants School, to be greeted by Lynne Bone, of Christ Church and a smiling team of volunteers that were already busily creating the evening’s meal. There was a lovely smell of baked potatoes and a variety of toppings on offer. Not to mention a number of apple pies ready to go into the ovens, to be served later with hot custard! I was impressed with the sleek operation in which people were welcomed, food orders were taken and prepared. In the dining hall there was a lovely atmosphere, as families sat together around a large central table, catching up on each other’s news. One little boy was telling me what he had liked doing at school that day and was keen to show me his high score on a ‘beat the lights’ game!
The meal was served and everyone, including the volunteers, sat round together to eat and chat. Then it was all hands to the deck to get everything washed, dried and put away ready for the kitchen to be in use for the school children the next day.
Despite volunteers making it look very easy, this project is no mean feat! – there is clearly a lot of planning done behind the scenes and a real sense of commitment, from over 40 volunteers in total, to support their community and be there for one another. It was an honour to see everyone in action and I look forward to hearing about future projects!
If you would like to find out more then please email: brownsoverfwp@gmail.com or call Lynne Bone on 07821515896. Or if you are interested in finding out more about volunteering in a variety of roles around Rugby then email Amy Muzyka on amy.muzyka@wcava.org.uk or sign up for free on our portal at www.wcava.org.uk/volunteering to browse through current vacancies.
