#warmhub

[number0seven]

The volunteers at @ekotaacademy play a huge part providing excellent grassroots community programmes. For young people there’s cricket, football and martial arts, and for the elderly there’s Zumba and fitness for women, and walking sports. Volunteers at the Academy which serves Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham have worked for several years to offer coaching and services to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. To help deal with austerity, the winter fuel crisis and the severe financial challenges faced by people, the volunteers are using the Emerald Bistro Cafe at the Ekota Hub to provide company, warmth, friendship and a free hot drink to locals. The Warm Bank is an initiative arranged to help beat isolation and tackle loneliness and mental health amongst vulnerable people. Visitors wishing to participate in this programme should upon arrival mention to staff that they’d like a free hot drink. The @emerald_bistro will also be open on Christmas Day. Ekota Academy and Emerald Bistro - Goodmayes Park, Aberdour Rd, IG3 9PG. #emeraldbistro #ekotaacademy #thewanderinglondoner #warmbank #warmhub #energycrisis #winterfuel #uksnow #uksnowyday #snowpatrol #christmas #redbridge #barkinganddagenham #wintercold #coldwinter #foodpoverty #homeless (at EmeraldBistro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmFQJzjNaDf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[spencersarc]

Do you volunteer? Is it on your list of things you’d love to to do one day but just haven’t got the head space for right now? I’ve made space in my life to give my time to a few community based things in my life. The @womensinstitute is one - I’m on the committee and while it’s part of my hobby and doesn’t take that much more time it’s still good to be a part of. The community events company that I’m a director of - we are all volunteers it’s a not for profit company to serve our locals community. The past weekend was our first big event as the newly formed company and it was a huge success. It’s been great hearing so many people who loved the event. Then the warm hubs. - This is something I’m so very proud to be a part of. Opening space for those who need it to come and chat with friends, to have a warm meal & cake and a cuppa. It’s growing to be a great community and yesterday I chatted with some of the lovely people there. Who talked about my family, talked about family that have gone. I was feeling that actually those that use the hubs don’t really need it. However chatting with them it’s evident this is more than coming in for a warm and something to eat. This is about connection. #community #volunteering #warmhub #mumof4 #family #connection https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl0aXRRsc_8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=