The annual assembly hosted by Lambourn Parish Council was held recently and the Lambourn Junction Community Interest Company was invited to present the many and varied community activities which it supports in the parish of Lambourn.
Here is our report:
The Lambourn Junction Community Interest Company was formed in March 2021 to act as an enabler and operator of activities serving the community for the benefit of the residents of Lambourn and the surrounding area.
There are a number of worthwhile initiatives in Lambourn which are often frustrated and overwhelmed by the administration, risks, management and legal requirements such as insurance, health and safety etc. The company provides a supporting infrastructure for such ventures by operating the activities through the company. It also enables the securing of grant funding that would ordinarily only be available to registered charitable organisations.
The company is a Community Interest Company which means that it is a not-for-profit organisation limited by guarantee. It is not a charity. The company has no paid employees and the 5 directors are not remunerated.
Under the auspices of the company a number of community initiatives have been launched and are operating to serve the community:
The Lambourn Youth Junction
The Youth Junction opened its doors in November 2022 and set out to address the lack of inclusive youth facilities in Lambourn by providing a weekly youth club which currently meets at the British Legion. Approximately 60 young people come together each week, to take part in structured and supervised activities including indoor and outdoor games, craft activities, chess club, consultation work, and a VERY popular tuck shop. The Youth Junction also organises special events such as the recent support to the Lambourn Open Day where 25 young people engaged with enthusiasm to help make the day run smoothly. We are exploring future opportunities involving trips out, movie nights, Air Ambulance challenges, and a float for the Lambourn Carnival.
The Youth Junction has received funding from a number of sources with the most significant grant coming from the Berkshire Community Foundation.
The Club is fully inclusive and is open to all young people in school years 5 to 9 (ages 9-14). It is operated in conjunction with Berkshire Youth and all volunteers and members of staff are trained and DBS checked. Its success is simply evidenced by the growing number of enthusiastic young members. We have run 28 sessions since we opened, and we currently have over 125 young people registered with us. With a small amount moving on in September, due to the change in school years, we also expect a significant increase as new school years come up for eligibility.
Feedback from our young people has been overwhelmingly positive – and with pride in their club in evidence each week, we plan on starting a Youth Club council, so that our members have a positive voice to share. Feedback from parents also supports this:
‘### has been coming to the youth club since the first session. Since starting at youth club his confidence has come on so much. He has got better at talking to children he doesn’t know, he can work out money in shops from his practice at tuck shop. He has really enjoyed practicing his new pool skills at any chance he gets.
### loved taking part in the Lambourn Open day helping out with the other youth club members and also baking for the Coronation party held by the youth club. As well as his newfound skills it has been something for him to look forward to every week, somewhere with a purpose for him to go to…’
‘ ### doesn’t really have any out of school friends, and he really looks forward to going to the youth club’
‘We live in Great Shefford and make the journey to Lambourn nearly every week. My 2 love it, and really look forward to it’
Please enjoy this short film which shows the energy and enthusiasm of our members, and our volunteers, as we provide a weekly youth club in the centre of Lambourn. This film was made by one of our members, who believes so passionately in the club he took time to prepare this for you all tonight.
The Lambourn Food Bank
The Food Bank opened its doors during COVID and has been serving the residents of Lambourn ever since. After a number of moves, the food bank now operates out of the blue container in the Lambourn car park with the permission of West Berkshire Council.
As the cost of living crisis hits hard in our rural community the Food Bank supplies over 50 families with essential groceries and toiletries every week.
We work in collaboration with West Berkshire social services who refer individuals and families to us. We do not means test, we do not judge, we just offer help to those who need it most. A number of families have used the food bank and as a result have found their feet again and are now no longer relying on the service. The food bank receives donations from members of the community, local companies and charitable organisations both financial and in kind. The most recent collaboration is with the Lambourn Co-Op where grocery donations can now be left.
The Lambourn Lunch Club
The lunch club provides a free meal in a setting where members of the community meet, chat and socialise. The cost of living crisis has increased the number of people who feel isolated and at times struggle to cook a hot meal. The club, which is open to all to attend, although aimed principally at the elderly, operates from the Walwyn Hall and has proved very successful with up to 20 individuals joining in and having an enjoyable lunch out once a week.
In addition to word of mouth, referrals come from West Berkshire Adult Social Services, the Lambourn Surgery and a number of other organisations.
The lunch club is operated in collaboration with the Fair Close Charity and has received donations from the Berkshire Community Foundation, companies and private individuals.
The Lambourn Litter Picking Project
Boosted by funding from Veolia, we have litter picking equipment which we deploy on a number of organised litter picking days. The benefit is not only improving the environment of the village but also an activity which brings young and old together with a common purpose.
A number of litter picking events are planned to take place throughout the year. A big thank you also goes to West Berkshire Council for making the arrangements to collect the litter we pick up.
The Lambourn Community Website
The website lambourn.org is operated by the company as a repository for current and historic information about the village. The On-Line-Museum section is the largest single archive of historic articles and pictures of Lambourn and is used by on-line visitors both local and from across the world. The content is created and curated entirely by volunteers.
The Lambourn Environmental Group
The group aims to improve the environment in and around Lambourn. Projects have involved planting initiatives and supporting existing planting. Further funding is being sought for initiatives in 2023 to encourage biodiversity in Lambourn.
The Lambourn Parish Council Website
The Company has set up the website for the Lambourn Parish Council free of charge thus saving thousands of pounds of council budget. Through a free of charge contract it provides the infrastructure and software maintenance for the site whilst the Parish Council is responsible for the content of the site. This is a good example of collaboration for the benefit of the community.
The Youth Junction has received funding from The Berkshire Community Fund, The School House Trust, as well as individual donations. Finding a permanent home with sufficient facilities is key to secure our future is key. We have asked the Parish Council to assist us to find a workable solution whereby the Youth Junction can make use of the Lambourn Centre which is already financially supported by the Council.
The company is grateful for the support, both financial and in kind, from individuals, companies and organisations. Without the volunteers and donations its work, which touches the lives of many families and individuals in Lambourn, would not be possible.
We look forward to continuing the collaboration with, and assistance from Lambourn Parish Council.
31/05/2023
