BEST

Georgina Morgan-Denn
7 September 2023

News

Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Youth Summer Programme with BEST – Be A Better You

Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Youth Summer Programme with BEST – Be A Better You https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9-3.jpg 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn Georgina Morgan-Denn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/86720b6552d1081447e5765e596ef00f25d359d874727de93ee6c522b559facc?s=96&d=mm&r=g 7 September 2023 7 September 2023

“Such a fantastic time was had by all children of this year’s youth Summer Programme, and what a better way to end it than with a delicious Domino’s pizza!”.

During the summer holidays, the Parish Council funded weekly enrichment sessions with its regular partner and charity, BEST – Be A Better You. This is the Council’s third year of working with BEST who provide engaging and exciting youth activities during the school holidays. The Council is delighted to report that this year has seen a consistently high number of attendees to each session and each one reportedly had a thoroughly good time.

During the sessions the group was split into two and involved activities such as improving football skills, ball control, coordination and confidence, boxing, Jab, Jab, Run (Duck, Duck, Goose) to full on football matches. Each child got involved and greatly improved during the programme.

The final session was held at the Parish Council’s open space at Trent Road Playing field where local Domino’s Pizza at Taw Hill generously provided discounted pizzas as a special treat for all the hard work the young people put in over the summer.

Neil Tustin, FA Football Coach and BEST Youth Mentor had this to say about the programme:

“All children need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them. That’s exactly what we do here at BEST- Be A Better You. Especially through football – this summer programme at Haydon Wick has been so rewarding, watching everyone smile and laugh.”

Craig Hiscock, Operations Manager at BEST – Be A Better You said:

“I just wanted to say thank you for another successful summer program of activities. The records show that we had 179 children attend the sessions and all enjoyed the activities that you fund. Haydon Wick Parish are always our most attended sessions, and every single child enjoys them so much. We sincerely value the work we do with you and are very much looking forward to October half term.”

Councillor Rebecca Ross, Chair of Community Development Committee had this to say about our Summer Programme:

“It is fantastic to hear even more children have taken part in this year’s BEST summer programme and it is great to have received such positive feedback from both parents and the young people who have attended. We are very fortunate to have been able to partner with BEST again and we look forward to welcoming them back in October when they will be running a similar half term programme.”

The Parish Council has already confirmed the next enrichment programme with BEST due to take place during the October half-term. To find out more and to book on to the sessions follow our socials or visit our website. Never miss an update by keeping up to date with all the latest Haydon Wick Parish Council news and events by subscribing to our monthly email bulletin. To do this visit: https://haydonwick.gov.uk/latest-news/

Georgina Morgan-Denn
28 July 2023

News

Youth Summer Programme with BEST-Be A Better You has Commenced

Youth Summer Programme with BEST-Be A Better You has Commenced https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3-12.jpg 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn Georgina Morgan-Denn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/86720b6552d1081447e5765e596ef00f25d359d874727de93ee6c522b559facc?s=96&d=mm&r=g 28 July 2023 28 July 2023

The first enrichment session in the Council’s youth summer programme saw an action-packed two hours and lots of happy attendees.

Thursday 27^th July saw lots of familiar, excited faces coming through the doors of GLL Sports Hall for the first summer enrichment session with BEST – Be A Better You. It was so lovely to see so many regular attendees returning.

The group was split into two; half played football and practiced football skills, whilst the other half engaged with boxing skills and drills. It’s amazing to see that so many of the young people who attended previously have remembered some of the drills, and each time they come are progressing even further. After a quick snack and a drink, the groups swapped over and enjoyed the other sport. By the end of the session, everyone was beginning to slow down, after a manic two hours running around.

Neil Tustin, FA Football Coach and BEST Youth Mentor had this to say about the event:

“It is so inspiring to see so many young people enjoying these sessions, in particular a child that came to last year’s Haydon Wick Summer Programme, who was so shy and nervous, has now gone on to play football at a grass roots club that I am part of, in his free time. BEST sessions are aimed at providing children with activities to keep them engaged, make new friends and be involved in sport to lead them down a healthy path and to maintain positive mental health and wellbeing. The funding from the Council really helps us to reach as many young people as we can.

I am so proud to be a part of this amazing charity, that is helping so many young people achieve their dreams.”

The Council is really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the summer programme brings to the young people of Haydon Wick. Its not too late to sign your child up for any of the remaining free sessions. To do this, please contact Kate at: youthandcommunity@haydonwick.gov.uk / 01793 722446.

Haydon Wick
13 June 2023

News

Haydon Wick Parish Council commits to fundraising and supporting two local mental health charities in 2023/24

Haydon Wick Parish Council commits to fundraising and supporting two local mental health charities in 2023/24 https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hw-chairty-support-23-34.jpg 1200 800 Haydon Wick Haydon Wick https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1e9800c1edd7257693f93507a3bc61f5dd38d54e1cff2cfe8a1fa3fdcf379b20?s=96&d=mm&r=g 13 June 2023 13 June 2023

“The Parish Council is committed to helping the most vulnerable in its Parish.”

Haydon Wick Parish Council recently agreed to support two local mental health charities – The Kelly Foundation and BEST – Be a Better You, in their fundraising efforts this year and until the end of April 2024. Throughout the next 12 months the Council will host a variety of fundraising events and activities to help raise funds for both charities. All fundraising events will be open to all and have the dual aim of providing a great community event whilst raising as much money for the good causes as possible.

The Parish Council is committed to helping the most vulnerable in its Parish. They do this in many ways and not just in with this most recent decision to support these two important local charities. The Council invests in its team to ensure that staff members are trained Mental Health First Aiders and Dementia Friendly. They are also continuing to deliver an inclusive programme of Reducing Loneliness and Isolation in the community with events such as the Haydon Wick Haven – a warm and welcoming coffee morning which allows residents to have a friendly chat, meet new people and discuss local issues with their parish council, popular community yoga sessions which are financially subsidised by the Council, as well as regular Mental Health Walks in many of the parish’s therapeutic parks and open spaces.

The Kelly Foundation is a registered charity set up to listen, understand and support individuals suffering from acute anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. As a new charity, they have found it is extremely difficult to raise funding, as most formal funding bodies require at least two years track record (for understandable reasons) with accounts and outcomes. The charity supports individuals within the Parish and across Swindon all with a range of complex needs some emotional and some practical.

John Stooke, Chairman at The Kelly Foundation said; “We were delighted to learn that Haydon Wick Council has adopted us as a nominated charity for the next year. The income raised will be spent entirely on buying in specialist and additional support at heavily discounted rates, from the private sector, for individuals in distress. The Council’s support, in helping us to help others, is sincerely appreciated.”

BEST – Be a Better You is a registered charity that started in 2020 with a clear vision to provide a positive experience for young people with different social, emotional and mental health barriers. This is achieved through sports training and 1-2-1 mentoring, supporting the young people who work with the charity to lead successful lives. The Charity’s ethos is to support, deliver and guide a young person to be best they can be through sport and mentoring.

Craig Hiscock, Operations Director said; “The whole team at BEST – Be a Better You, cannot thank Haydon Wick Parish Council enough for their ongoing support and choosing us as one of their charities they will support from 2023 – 2024. We are a small local charity working with many children and young people at risk in Swindon. Any help we receive is greatly appreciated and funds raised for the charity go directly to supporting the young people. We have worked closely with Haydon Wick Parish Council since we began three years ago and value the relationship we have with them. We are really looking forward to attending and supporting the forthcoming events over the next 12 months.”

The Chairman of the Council – Cllr Vinay Manro had this to say to say about the partnerships; “I was delighted to see the support in nominating The Kelly Foundation and BEST by our Councillors for our chosen charities for this year. The Council cannot deliver everything on its own, and working with partners such as these enables us to deliver what our residents are asking for. The Council’s Community Led Plan is clear in its aim to make Haydon Wick a ‘Kinder and more Caring’ place to live and it hopes the community can see how hard their Parish Council is working to make this possible.”

Both charities will be attending the Council’s Summer Spectacular that takes place on Saturday 15^th July 2023 at King George V Field, SN25 1HQ. The event is open to the public from 10.00am – 5.00pm and include a boxing and sport presentation from some of the BEST attendees as well as raising awareness of mental health issues in a dedicated Mental Health & Wellbeing area of the event. For more information about the event visit the Council’s website: https://haydonwick.gov.uk/haydon-wick-summer-spectacular/.

Georgina Morgan-Denn
18 April 2023

News

BEST offer young people in our community the best start in life

BEST offer young people in our community the best start in life https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BEST1.jpg 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn Georgina Morgan-Denn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/86720b6552d1081447e5765e596ef00f25d359d874727de93ee6c522b559facc?s=96&d=mm&r=g 18 April 2023 18 April 2023

As part of the Council’s aim to reduce Loneliness & Isolation and to continue the fantastic Youth Development Programme, this year’s Easter holidays saw another fantastic set of free, enrichment sessions delivered by BEST- Be A Better You.

The sessions offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to try out a new sport that they may not have had the opportunity to trial before. Its heart-warming to see the sportsmanship, support and kindness that each individual shows to their peers throughout the sessions. As the age range varies from five years old through to sixteen, the older ones offer a great role model figure to the younger ones and all attendees seem to enjoy the mix of ages, abilities, and personalities.

Team games and mini football matches were played using a foam ball, which made it impossible to play with any skill whatsoever. These games caused fits of laughter and the scores were being exaggerated as everyone was finding it hard to score a real goal.

Attendees had a go at Tachiai and Kick Boxing which requires a lot of self-control. These demonstrations were followed with some fun ballet moves which again, had all attendees engaged and enjoying their time there.

As always, the boxing is something that is really enjoyed by all. The drills that the attendees learn during these sessions are becoming quicker and more controlled with each meeting.

Haydon Wick Parish Council has worked alongside BEST for a couple of years now and the sessions have seen lots of returning faces. The growth in confidence over this time from some of the attendees is amazing and really goes to show the amazing job BEST do to help guide young people in our community to have the best start in life and guide them away from some of the worrying issues we are facing in today’s society.

Operations Manager at BEST- Be A Better You, Craig Hiscock had this to say about the Easter enrichment sessions:

“It was great to get back into Haydon Wick parish to provide holiday activities again. BEST has seen record numbers of children attending the sessions. Everyone that attended had a great time and it is lovely to see the children laughing and enjoying their time with us. BEST is grateful for Haydon Wick Parish Council’s continued support”.

Georgina Morgan-Denn
22 February 2023

News

Haydon Wick Parish Council teams up with BEST- Be A Better You, to deliver half-term enrichment sessions

Haydon Wick Parish Council teams up with BEST- Be A Better You, to deliver half-term enrichment sessions https://haydonwick.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5-4.jpg 800 800 Georgina Morgan-Denn Georgina Morgan-Denn https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/86720b6552d1081447e5765e596ef00f25d359d874727de93ee6c522b559facc?s=96&d=mm&r=g 22 February 2023 22 February 2023

BEST’s programmes also help to increase confidence and emotional resilience which support young people to progress to a positive future.

Haydon Wick Council and BEST – ‘Be A Better You’ hosted two sessions this February half term. This time, they got even more exciting!

The Council saw record number of attendees, with over 40 children benefitting from the event. Activities included non-contact boxing, team games and football skills taster sessions for young people aged between five and twelve years. The boxing is always very popular and all attendees absolutely love giving it a go. The football skills workshop is a new addition to the BEST portfolio and is becoming a firm favourite with young people.

‘Best – Be A Better You’ is a charity who aim to provide children and young people with one-to- one mentoring programmes and positive enrichment activities. Haydon Wick Council has partnered with BEST for over two years, and each session always very popular during the school holidays.

One parent had this to say “My children really enjoy these sessions, and they really help me out as a single parent”

One of the young people who attended said “I really hope we get to come to this in the summer like last year, we love it!”

The second session was new to both Haydon Wick Council and BEST, as it was aimed exclusively at 13-16 year olds. The young people were given the opportunity to try a new discipline, such as boxing and circuit training. It can be very difficult for young people, especially teenagers, to express themselves in a positive way. The activities proved to be great for stress management and self-control. BEST’s programmes also help to increase confidence and emotional resilience which support young people to progress to a positive future.

Those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the activities at this session, which included tyre flipping, boxing and a Parish Council & Police Team versus Young People Team Tug of War. For teenagers in the Parish to be able to recognise supportive and friendly adults in the community is really important as it helps to break down the communication barriers.

Craig Hiscock, Operations Manager at BEST said; “We really enjoy working with Haydon Wick Parish Council. There are great facilities and we always manage to reach lots of young people from this parish This half term we wanted to do some targeted work with 13-16 year olds in the form of a boxing boot camp style session. We talked about the recent tragic event in the parish and asked the young people what type of help and services they feel would benefit the young people of Haydon Wick in the future.”

Councillor R Ross, Chair of Community Development Committee said “We are delighted to have been able to work alongside BEST in delivering these two programmes, both of which have provided a wonderful opportunity for local children of all ages to have some fun, socialise and experience a new activity. What has really stood out for me is the fantastic efforts and team spirit showed by the children taking part, and more importantly they looked like they were having great fun!”