Here we are in July, and it seems the good weather is on its way.
We hope that the events we have planned will cheer you; and if you haven't been to the centre for a while, you can read about the people who make the centre what it is, and about the changes that have been happening.
For up to date information about what's going on, follow us on social media too - links at the bottom.
Dates for your Diary
August 2024
Footlights Old Traffordtheatre company are offering 4 weeks of holiday school for 5 – 16-year-olds at St John’s Centre this summer. Each week will be a full programme of drama, dance and music based on a musical:
29th July – 2nd August – Shrek
5th-9th August – Trolls
12th-16th August – Wish
19th-23rd August – Bugsy Malone
Each day begins at 9.30am and finishes at 4.30pm, with wraparound care available from 8.30am until 5.30pm. The cost is £109 per child per week, or £134 with wraparound care.
If you’re thinking of starting a course here in September, come to our Open Day on Tuesday 10th September, from 10.00am-3.00pm. Our learning partners Trafford College and the Workers’ Educational Association will be here with Centre staff and volunteers to assess your learning level and find the right course for you.
Autumn Quiz – Saturday 28th September 2024
Save the Date! We will be celebrating nature’s bounty with our Harvest Hot Pot Quiz on Saturday 28th September from 7-10pm.
As usual, there will be a fun quiz, this time with a food and drink theme, delicious home-cooked food, and a raffle. Everyone is welcome, and you can bring your own drink. More details to follow nearer the time.
News from the Centre
We have a lovely new kitchen!
Thanks to funding from our new friends at Cargill we have a lovely new kitchen. It was much needed and we are sure will be appreciated by all our hirers and everyone who uses the centre. Their Senior Managers also came and took part in a corporate volunteering day at the centre. They were given some of the messiest of jobs, but did them with a smile and even said they would come back. A big thanks for cleaning up our outside area and making it good for our summer activities.
Event success: Laptops for those who needed them
At the end of April we partnered with Trafford Council to host their first ever “Tech 4 All” event, where over 100 local residents on benefits or low incomes were able to buy heavily discounted refurbished laptops. They were also given free data SIM cards and information about social broadband tariffs. We are always working with the Council and others to reduce digital exclusion - contact us to find out about our IT courses and drop-in computer help sessions.
You can watch a little video about the event here.
If you're reading this and thinking "I need that!", do follow us on social media to find out up to the minute information about upcoming events. The links are at the bottom of this newsletter.
Spaces available for meetings and parties
If you're looking for a space for your meeting or event, we now have a newly refurbished small meeting room as well as our large hall, both of which have availability for hire at very reasonable prices.
The small meeting room is suitable for up to around 16 people or around 8-10 sat in a circle. Contact Diane@stjohnscentre.org if you're interested in booking a space.
New finance worker
In May we said goodbye to Rose Thompson, who has faithfullly served us doing our books since 2016. Rose has moved on to work as the Executive Member for communities at Trafford Council. Thanks to Rose for her years of service. We welcomed Jane Gaffey into the role. Jane has a background in accounts management, lives locally in Old Trafford and in her spare time loves walking and yoga.
Action from you when you shop online
Easyfundraising
If you like to shop online, sign up with Easyfundraising and they will make a donation to St John’s Centre every time you buy something from one of over 7,500 partner brands. From your supermarket shop to booking your holiday, it all adds up! Find out more and sign up here www.easyfundraising.org.uk
Louise Dunn's Story
Louise Dunn has been involved as a volunteer at St John’s Centre since retiring in 2005. A former nurse and adult education teacher for Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES), Louise is also a member at St John’s Church. Louise generously gives her time to teach people completely new to computers their way around MS Office and how to do things they need to on the internet, as well as volunteering her time to be on our Board of Trustees.
Louise also helps to teach our Harmony Singing Group. “I love to sing”, says Louise, “I’ve been singing regularly since being a young child in school and at church in Jamaica and it’s just something that I still love to do. I also get a lot of satisfaction from helping other people out at the centre, that’s how I was brought up, to help other people. St John’s is a friendly place where you’re made to feel welcome, compared to other centres I’ve been to it’s quite relaxed and welcoming. I like the social aspect of being here.”
