MARCH REPORT Community Drop-in EBPS for 2023-4
The Community-Drop-in Session began as an initiative in response to the rising cost of living
crisis, to act as both a warm-space and drop-in centre for all members of the community. It
also offered a space for new residents in the village to meet.
In June 2023 we opened on Wednesday mornings at the Beneworth Lounge. Our numbers
were low so we moved to the Lambe school and with Babergh Integration Partnership to
run additional support for these sessions. Some success was achieved but it was felt that
Wednesday clashed with business in the village so we moved to Mondays at the Lambe
school. Here the dates were erratic due to pre booked clubs. Again, this has mixed
responses.

Table of events for Community Drop-in Autumn 2024
Date Event Description Nos
11/9 Autumn opening 2-hour sessions
18/9 cancelled
25/9 B-Well Bus NHS: Staff aboard the Be Well Bus are ready
to listen to any concerns you may have, and
are able to provide advice and signposting
on a wide range of topics covering health
and wellbeing.
20

9/10 Suffolk Centre for
warmth
Suffolk Centres for Warmth, is a project that
looks to get out into communities and
deliver face to face advice to residents on
benefits, energy and financial inclusion. Led
by Elle Willmott from Suffolk
9
16/10 Cost of Living Presentation about wider issues from
Babergh District Council, Elysa Dale
7
23/10

Cancelled
30/10 Game of Cards

Lovely fun social session led by Terry Dadds 12

13/11 Digital skills Free session run by Suffolk to support all
digital skills with phones, laptops and
tablets.

6

20/11 PC Jarrett & PCO JO
Adams
A very good informal meeting. Both wanting
to establish links and support the local
community.

9
27/11 Community Organisation
meeting

Games of Cards

Only members of church attended but we
will reschedule that meeting. It was very
positive and audit of services in the village
began.
A fun favourite

8

11/12 Parent forum Clashed date with school concert …. we
need a village diary please.

18/12 Christmas Social Fun Christmas chat 7

31 hours of parish work x 2 for 2 councillors, not including preparation.

Date Event Description Nos
20/1 Parent Forum
Moved to evening
A session for YP committee aimed at
allowing parents, especially for under 5’s,
for their view about what they want need
in the village

N/A
27/1 Speed Watch event An initial informative meeting
accompanied by Babergh …… to introduce
a potential group in the village

1
31/1 Parent forum Very positive meeting with parents of
children ranging across all ages
6
17/2 Family games Half term family fun 9 adults
6
children
24/2 Advice day Social prescribing, warm space, digital
skills,
(Digital skills cancelled and Shaw trust
were unable to attend)
6

17/3 Carer’s meeting A session for all carers in the village
24/3 Fun games Test your knowledge and come and take
part

31/3 Old East Bergholt
Memories
Come and share your memories of life in
the village … not to be missed!!

Here are some of the other outcomes achieved:
The work has created and affected links with these outside agencies and will return:

• Supportive links with Suffolk & Babergh; Cost of Living team, Suffolk Centre for
Warmth, Digital skills, Shaw trust. The Integration and Partnership team at Babergh
and SCC have been very supportive especially in taking us through the next year.
• PC Kate and PCSO Adams supported the open event and the speed watch session …
a session on scams is planned
• Suffolk Warm space and 4 people register for warmth register
• Digital skills 3 people used the service
• B well bus… 2 people referred back to GP. CCMP / Community nursing possible
session.
• Developing an awareness between all organisations in the village ( on-going)
• Parent forum …. Supported the Young Peoples Committee
• Half term fun…a positive response form 3 parents of the village who asked for more
sessions at school holidays (YPC)
• One parent volunteered to support Youth Club
• One person volunteered to administer the Speed Watch

Cost
In total we have spent £500 form June 2023. The majority of this was on the signs, the rest
on hall hire and a small amount on refreshments.
And the people
Over the months that this session has been running and evolving our ethos and vision has
continued to remain the same, the idea was not to focus on maximising footfall and
focusing on statistics but instead helping & supporting those in need. It appears that needs
ae wide ranging. Each member of the community who attended these sessions are all
individuals with many different stories, struggles and needs there have been a number of
examples where these sessions have done exactly what we set out to do such as…
– during the police visit a member of the public spoke very openly about a call they
received from someone posing as a detective, this was a scam. Thanks to this
conversation and the appropriate services present they were able to implement the
appropriate safeguarding measures by PCSO Adams.
-when we resumed after Christmas another member of the public came to the
session and very tearfully explained that she had a very distressing and lonely
Christmas, it was thanks to this outlet that this member of the public was able to
spend a vital amount of time to socialise and be with other people.
– during our first session with Suffolk Warm homes a member of the public explained
that since the passing of their husband they have not been able to change their fire
alarm batteries and acquire a CO alarm, thanks to this session and the attendance of
the appropriate professionals they were able to supply new alarms for this person
free of charge.

-through word-of-mouth members of the community have been recommending
these sessions to people they may know, and example of this has been where a
member of the public recommended and brought their friend who suffers with
dementia and rarely leaves the house, they were able to attend a number of sessions
and become involved with other members of the community who attended
-during our half -term games session a parent has approached 4YP to act as a
volunteer for the Youth Club (a volunteer role that he already carries out at another
venue)
-the very successful parent forum (response to Committee) initiated a inspired team
of young mothers keen to do more in the village. Those who were able joined the
Mums & Tods group
-on the advice day it was shocking to hear of a tenant who was being treated illegally
although having lived in the village and the house for 50years. We were able to
signpost her.
With Nicki’s patience and support we know that many are following the events on social
media and interest is gathering. The stigma of needing support is often hard to overcome.
With regularity and consistency, we believe that this is happening. Often people will seek
specific advice but stay receiving more important advice, signposting or support.
With the next years’ service, we will provide a clear schedule and link up with all supporting
agencies to provide a good service for the village and, as always, a place to meet have a
chat!!
Mark Hurley & Lyn Matthews