Wellbeing activities for 150 Residents in Batley

Since my last report our community in Batley and Spen has commemorated the first anniversary of the murder of our Member of Parliament, Jo Cox and celebrated her life. So many wonderful local folk have volunteered their time and skills to organise events to bring people together in thoughtful ways: through Great Get Together events; The Big Iftar; the Run for Jo and many more activities involving faith groups; primary and secondary schools; our local authority, Kirklees Council and community organisations. There has been an abundance of kindness. 

I know that without your generosity and the generosity of others the Mission at Howden Clough Community Centre may well have been shut and empty on Saturday 17th June, 2017. Instead, over one hundred people came together to share tears and cheers at our Great Get Together event. Many of the activities developed with your support were on display. I'd like to share three with you: Let's Sing Rock and Pop; Sing Out to Reach Out and finally the BatleyPoets at Batley's Big Iftar event that Saturday evening.  

Let's Sing Rock and Pop has become a regular feature at the Mission on Thursday mornings. Thank you. There was much tension in the air on this Saturday morning as the group prepared for their first ever public performance. They performed, Can you feel the love tonight. Please scroll down to see a photograph of the group. They did brilliantly and, of course, now want some more public performances! Speaking to Jane from Songsational about the project she shared a heart-warmimg story about a lady who has joined the group, after the death of her husband, and she shared how much this group has meant for her wellbeing. Here's to more of this when the group starts again after the summer break. 

Sing Out to Reach Out. It was a delight to welcome Windmill Primary School's Class 4, their teachers; parents and carers; grandparents and friends to the Mission to perform the two songs they've enjoyed rehearsing over the last six months with Songsational: Don't be anything less than everything you can be and Best day of my life It was really special to see families new to the Mission visiting us. The project's grand finale took place on 5th July. Please follow the link below to hear them sing: Best day of my life.

And finally, I'd like to share Mohamed's performance of his poem, Run for Jo at Batley's Big Iftar event. Please see a photograph of Mohamed on the podium and a link below to hear his live performance. The work that you've helped us bring to fruition is supporting local folk of all ages and particularly a number of older people, who through shared joy and experiences are more active and engaged with their community.

Thank you again, Mark. 

Links:

• Best Day of My Life - WindMill Primary Class 4 and Songsational
• Mohamed reciting Run for Jo

'It's really good to hear laughter and younger voices...reminds me of my younger days here.' So said John Murgatroyd as we chatted after the joyful visit of Class 4, Windmill Primary School (Church of England) to The Mission just a few weeks ago. On the bright and fresh Spring morning of Thursday 9th March, students and teachers strolled between the school and the Mission; about a 20 minute walk. They were visiting as part of, 'Sing Out to Reach Out' - a project that brings together some twenty-plus schools and community groups across our area. YOUR generosity has enabled us to invite Songsational to work with Class 4 on this project at The Mission.

'Sing Out to Reach Out' asks each participating school and community group to share a song and receive a song to learn, together. So, Class 4 chose, 'Best Day of My Life' (American Authors) and Songational chose, 'Don't Be Anything Less Than Everything You Can Be.' (Snoopy, The Musical). The 9th March was the first get-together. Songsational's Melanie brought her favourite 'Hat Game' for everyone to enjoy; hence, Charlotte's fabulous hat in her photograph. Much laughter and joy followed. We're looking forward to inviting students; teachers; carers; parents and grandparents to a joint performance over the summer.

'Sing Out to Reach Out' is helping to fulfil our ambition of introducing regular participative musical activities to The Mission, open to all ages and talents within our local community.  'Let's Sing Rock and Pop' (Thursdays, 10am-12 noon) is our second initiative, supported by YOU. Please see our Spring activities leaflet for more details. These daytime sessions are designed to attract older residents (but all ages are welcome) to share companionship, joy and song. One of our trustees kindly donated the cost of a large projector screen; now we can project the song lyrics in very large type: for those of us that may need it! The first six sessions have been very well received and we're looking forward to our Spring and Summer sessions starting from Thursday May 18th. 

You may be aware that our Member of Parliament, Jo Cox, was murdered in 2016. We will be marking the first anniversary of Jo's murder at The Mission by participating in The Great Get Together (June 16th - 18th) More details:  The Great Together

Once again, thank you so much for your generosity. Whilst as a small, locally based organisation, we do feel that we can help to make good things happen in a timely and cost-effective fashion, we know that the regularity of these activities would not be possible if it wasn't for your generosity, combined with the work of Global Giving.

Thank you so much.

Mark Griffin, Project Leader. 

Ps - and finally, many thanks to Charlotte and Windmill Primary School for a beautiful photograph. If you're active on twitter, please take a look at more photographs from the day (9th March) on their twitter timeline: @Windmill_CE_Sch

Links:

• Let's Sing Rock and Pop: Can You Feel The Love Tonight...