As reported in Spennymoor News, Team Solan launched their Tuesday coffee mornings on July 26th.
Speaking on the launch, Mark Solan said, “It was a fantastic start to the event with almost 60 people attending, many met old and new friends and stayed all morning.
“The coffee mornings have since continued on every Tuesday morning from 10am to 2pm, in The Hub, behind the charity boutique, on Spennymoor High Street and have gone from strength to strength, with typically 40-70 attendees.
“Team Solan coffee mornings are open for everyone to enjoy refreshments in a warm, friendly, safe, social environment.
“In addition to the social activity, we continue to raise awareness of the services and support that Team Solan can provide to anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis or a cancer related bereavement.
“Anyone can attend, and if residents need help or just want to better understand what Team Solan or others using the hub do, then please come along for a chat.
“We are always in need of more volunteers, and our Warrior Support team are on site on Tuesdays if current or new Warriors need a chat.
“If anyone wants to volunteer in any of the variety of roles available please just ask any member of staff or volunteer.
“The Hub is already being used by other organisations and is available for hire by community groups and organisations for events.
“We are pleased to have ManHealth as users and from Monday 9 January, we will have the Neighbourhood Spennymoor Police holding a “surgery” every fortnight, 3.30pm until 4.30pm as an option to engage with residents.
“As the charity continues to grow and new services are developed, we said in July that we would be looking at new ways to increase awareness in order for us to support more families.
“Now we plan test a number of other Team Solan ideas, on other days, in the Hub.
“Ideas include soup & a roll sessions, afternoon teas, game afternoon – cards, dominoes, board games, movie nights, guest WiFi.
“We will begin testing these ideas in January under a “warm spaces” initiative. The need for warm spaces has been recognised by many organisations and Team Solan are supportive of this initiative and keen to play a part. In summary “warm spaces” are described as warm welcome spaces that are free to enter, are heated and able to provide basic refreshments such as tea/coffee, are inclusive, non-judgmental spaces where everyone can expect a warm welcome from staff and volunteers, and every organisation setting up a Warm Welcome space will abide by their usual safeguarding policies and hygiene rules.
“Organisations will make basic signposting information available to people who need further support and help.
“Our Tuesday coffee mornings meet these criteria, and we are keen to go further. They have been made possible through the support of sponsors Daddies Pies, Neil Hocking, M&S and Sainsburys.”
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Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
