Chiquitta Bruce, Milton – Sponsored by Milton Community Partnership

Chiquitta attended the Hamlet Court Road in Harmony Multicultral Festival on 21st May.

Chiquitta said “The Hamlet Court Road in Harmony Festival brought together the local community for a day of excitement, entertainment, and celebration. The event was a resounding success, featuring a diverse range of activities, stalls, and services. However, it was the outstanding performances by talented local community groups that stole the show and showcased the incredible diversity of our community.

The festival showcased a variety of artistic groups. The community groups participating in the festival demonstrated their immense talent, captivating the crowd with their stunning displays. The musical performances were a highlight of the festival, enchanting the audience with melodious voices and captivating instrumentals. Each act brought something unique, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere that embraced the spirit of community togetherness.

The Hamlet Court Road in Harmony Festival served as a platform for the community to celebrate it’s vibrant talent. It fostered unity and pride in our diverse community, allowing individuals of all ages and backgrounds to showcase their skills.
The success of the festival was thanks to the dedicated efforts of the organisers, and the support and recognition from the local Mayor, GhostBusters, and Salvo The Clown added an extra touch of excitement.

In conclusion, the Hamlet Court Road in Harmony Festival celebrated the immense talent within our local community. The performances mesmerised the crowd and highlighted the incredible diversity of our area. It was a day to remember, leaving a lasting impact on both the participants and the audience. Here’s to our amazing community and the continued celebration of our unique talents!”

Photo credits:
Tamils, Ghostbusters, Polish Dancers, and Tempo Collective are by Gaz de Vere.
The African Choir is by Paul Stygal.
The Steel Drums is by Chiquitta Bruce.

Get in touch with Chiquitta:
Mon-Fri
07534 312867
cbruce@savs-southend.co.uk

Kayleigh Wilkins, Victoria – Sponsored by St Vincent’s Southend

Kayleigh attended the Victoria Ward Community Meet and Greet: Celebrating Positive Changes and Building a Stronger Community

Kayleigh said “I recently organised the Victoria Ward Community Meet and Greet on Thursday, April 27th, held at The Cornerstone URC Church. The event aimed to bring together residents of the community to celebrate positive changes, share stories, and generate ideas for the future. It also provided an opportunity to introduce the Small Sparks Funding initiative to the local residents, enabling them to support community projects. I thought it would also be a good opportunity for them to share what work they do if they are working from home or self-employed.

While the turnout of residents was not as high as anticipated, those who attended engaged in meaningful discussions. They highlighted the need for community spaces where people can gather, have a friendly conversation over a cup of tea, and potentially form new friendships. Another resident suggested organising regular meetups and diverse activities such as a book club, coffee mornings, games, and fitness classes.

Three residents were then talking about working together to get something started up and running it from Cornerstone church. They were talking about a name for the group and getting people interested first and then they can add different activities etc as to what the people are looking for. They sounded really excited for this to get started and I have arranged to meet with them in the future to look at applying for the Small Sparks Funding to get this started with some support.

Get in touch with Kayleigh:
Mon-Thurs
07534 876274
kwilkins@savs-southend.co.uk

Rob Carvosso, Shoebury – Sponsored by Shoebury Residents Association

Rob attended:  Promoting Healthy Living: Asda Community Champion Inspires Shoebury Youth Group

Rob said, “Last week, Lorraine, the Community Champion from Asda, along with myself, Rob, paid a visit to the Shoebury Youth Centre to engage with the Friday youth group and discuss the significance of healthy living, with a particular focus on fruits and vegetables.

During the session, Lorraine captivated the young audience by sharing fascinating historical facts about certain fruits that can be traced back to Roman times. To their delight, the youth group had the opportunity to sample dried dates and figs, introducing them to new flavors and sparking mixed reactions.

The conversation naturally shifted toward the importance of consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. The young participants enthusiastically shared their personal favorites and discussed the various types of foods they enjoyed incorporating into their cooking and snacking routines.

As the session drew to a close, the youth group engaged in a hands-on activity, creating fruit and vegetable skewers. The result was a delightful display of colorful and nutritious skewers, with very few leftovers. Additionally, each participant received an activity book to take home as a reminder of the insightful session.

Overall, the session proved to be an excellent opportunity for the youth group to explore their favorite foods, sample new and unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The engagement and enthusiasm displayed by the young participants made it a truly rewarding experience for all involved.”

Get in touch with Rob:
Mon-Fri
07534 337503
rcarvosso@savs-southend.co.uk