Minutes:
Jenny Pitman (Project Leader – B:Friend) delivered an update, accompanied by Colette Bunker (CEO – B:Friend).
It was celebrated that the group had received The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, presented in December 2022 in Thurnscoe.
Members noted that the local clubs in Thurnscoe and Bolton upon Dearne were thriving and that one Thurnscoe club had began to attract a cohort of male participants, notable as typical participants were female. During Member discussion it was suggested that engagement with long-established male friendship groups could prove a useful mechanism to establishing a more representative gender split in the groups.
The Project Leader advised that a notable number of one-to-one befriending pairings had been established for a period of over one year.
It was noted that volunteer recruitment was a challenge and that volunteer social events were planned to combat this.
The Cost-of-Living Crisis was discussed at length and whether this was evident in the organisation’s work. It was advised that there had been no impact on group footfall and that the suggested donation of £2 was continuing to be received. During Member discussion, it was suggested this financial contribution could be a barrier to attendance and that subsidisation could be explored as an option if required. Participants were being monitored to see if they were utilising the venues for warmth and were being offered left over refreshments at the conclusion of sessions. It was scheduled for the Council Warm Homes Team to visit groups in January 2023.
RESOLVED that the update be noted.