OPCC
SevernView Food Project Methodist Superintendent Minister, James Tebbutt, Lunch Club in Cirencester
“In the region of 4,300 children and young people are growing up in poverty and those children, when compared to their more affluent peers, are then facing significant challenges such as poorer education attainment, higher rates of exclusion, at higher risk being victims of crime, higher risk of being obese, higher risk of being open to social care, higher risk of self-harm.” One of those championed for the great differences it is making on a very local level is The Rock, based at St Peter Church, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham. At a glance it appears to a club for those who enjoy all things to do with skating – in particular concerning scooters. But its fun atmosphere and camaraderie belies what it also is – a safe haven, place of learning, and font of support for many of those who attend. Joe Burgess is one of those running The Rock. “The funding from the OPCC has helped us buy new equipment – some really fantastic scooters - which help us keep our sessions going,” said Mr Burgess. “Some of the people who come to us are from some quite deprived areas of Cheltenham, and will not have the equipment, but now we have some quite
high-end scooters. It is really positive, it means everyone can get involved in the sessions.” For some young people, he said, being part of The Rock was simply having somewhere safe to come and have fun – of a huge benefit in itself. For others, it was somewhere they could get support for issues they were facing at home, school or in other parts of their lives and address topics they might not be comfortable or able to talk about anywhere else. Roots Coffee & Community In Gloucester, residents of Kingsholm – especially those who enjoy good coffee (the coffee here comes from city-based coffee business Ethical Addictions) – will know about Roots. It might look like it is simply a friendly neighbourhood café – and it is, but it is also so much more. A community enterprise which has embedded itself into Kingsholm’s DNA, it is child and family-friendly, links up with the local primary school and youth groups to hold fun and education classes, as well as keep fit sessions, art classes, you name it, it has staged it or will consider it. Ian Meredith, from Roots Coffee & Community
96 | February 2020 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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