Advantages of new charity already being shown

Marc Jobson, manager of Budleigh Hub (Image: Archant)

My previous article focused on the formation of our Seachange charity and how it will allow us to grow and fund ourselves.

The reaction to the piece has been overwhelmingly positive from our community, staff and volunteers alike.

This really means a lot to us. After all, if they are not onboard, we might as well stop now.

The advantage of our new charity is already being shown in our work with vulnerable local communities.

In Littleham, we are working with other charities and medical practices to help improve people's medical outcomes through nutrition, socialisation and exercise.

We are also helping refugees integrate into our community.

The families have been through extremely traumatic events.

Many have young children and babies who have seen more horror in their brief time than you or I ever will.

Seachange volunteers support those families to recover, manage their affairs and explore the opportunities Exmouth can give them.

Last week, we escorted two children to school for an initial viewing to meet the teachers and other children.

They literally skipped all the way. They were so excited. They were welcomed warmly by all and will be starting school after the Easter break.

We link up with many organisations, individuals and charities to help families: LED; Open Door; Let’s Coach Football, The Exmouth Chapel, Holly Trinity Church; Exmouth Town Council and Exmouth Cricket Club to name a few.

Our volunteers also run several activities to aid their recovery.

One such activity is cooking. The week four women cooked their traditional food.

Nothing unusual in that you might think. Except for the fact this is the first time in seven months they have been able to cook for their families.

Until now they have been in refugee camps in Germany, living in a tent, with generic meals provided by the Red Cross.

Can you imagine living through the winter in a tent with your children for seven months? The women and the volunteers had tears in their eyes as they realised the symbolism of the occasion which related to simple homecooked food.

Wishing to widen my cultural horizons, I popped into the cooking session and was rewarded with the most amazing rice and bread dish I have eaten in a long time.

Bolani is a flat bread stuffed with leeks and peppers. Shola is a Savoury sticky rice dish. There are some perks to my job!