Guiseley Community Foundation’s first weekly newsletter of March 2021 is now available to read.
NHS Partnership
On 22nd February we began a partnership with the NHS which will initially last for 6 months. During this time, the Foundation will work closely with the staff at the Becklin and Newsam centres. Head Coach Connor Thompson will be assisting staff in delivering activities for the patients, including ward-based exercises or outdoor exercise, games-room activities, and relaxation. These activities will be delivered three days a week at the centres, which deal with patients who suffer from acute mental health issues, characterised by significant and distressing symptoms requiring immediate treatment. Community Development Manager, Steve Taylor, says “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Foundation, to be working with an organisation such as the NHS.” In our first week of working alongside the NHS, Connor has settled in really well, with patients engaging in the activities he is providing.
Easter Holiday Camps
Our very popular Holiday Football Camps are returning during the Easter holidays! During the first week, the camps will run from Tuesday-Friday, and during the second they will run every day. Each day starts at 10:00, and finishes at 15:00, with registration beginning at 09:45 each morning. To book for whole nine days, the cost is only £80, meanwhile the cost for the first week is £40, and £50 for the second week. Alternatively, it is £15 a day. Both boys and girls of all abilities aged 6-14 are welcome, but there are only 30 places per day, so make sure to book to avoid missing out. Spaces are already filling up, so contact Alison via email at alison.leigh.gcf@gmail.com to secure a place. All Coronavirus procedures will be in place, including a temperature check on arrival.
Interview: Phil Rogerson
When did you first become involved with the Foundation?
“When Guiseley AFC was promoted to Conference North in 2011, we were encouraged by the Conference Trust to form a charitable arm to the football club. This gave us access to funding that we could use to subsidise events such as Free Friday Football and the ever-popular Holiday Camps whilst raising the profile of Guiseley AFC.”
What is your role within the Foundation? Have you had any other roles in the past?
“I took on the role of Foundation Chair from its inception whilst at the time also being Chair of Guiseley AFC. Retiring from the latter role allowed me to focus my time on the former.”
Has the pandemic had a significant impact on your work with the Foundation?
“The needs of the community have changed radically during the pandemic and with the schools and secure institutions, with whom we work, being wholly or partially closed. We therefore needed to refocus the Foundation’s staff in order to meet these needs. This has been done through such events as Healthy Holidays and I’m immensely proud of the flexibility that our staff have shown in these difficult times.”
What is your favourite part of your role?
“I enjoy, pretty much, all of the things I do in order that the Foundation might progress and meet the needs of the local community. My biggest satisfaction comes from this coming to fruition which I think, by and large, it has done over the past few years.”
Back to School
The Community Foundation is looking forward to resuming our role within local schools, once all students return to school next week. Our Community Coaches can’t wait to be able to deliver a variety of activities in lesson and afterschool once again.