Mill End Community Centre

News letter

In 1975 The Mill End & District Community Association was formed and registered with the charity commission. The old school became vacant and our forward thinking group lobbied the County Council and were allowed to use the building paying a rent initially.

Then in 1980 they had raised enough money to purchase the property.

It is now held in trust by the holding trustees unless the Community centre closes. Which we hope it never does!

Com – Unity is so important for all of us as a collective, learning to accept and get on with each other knowing we are different but respecting diversity. Isn’t that what makes life so colourful, joyous and interesting.

It is August already and as September comes round I hope we will have lots going for all shapes and sizes.

Have an exciting week.

Regards

Susan

Dear All,

It was so lovely to come in last Monday and hear the joyful chatter of children in the Community centre field.

We have had visitors pop in and things are looking up.

Personally I think living in fear depletes our immune system. Let’s try to eat healthily, exercise and be kind to each other. Apparently vitamin c and zinc are good for the immune system too. Laughing and loving.

Here at the centre when we kick off again in September I believe there will be a lot of things going on. Of course following the social distancing rules etc.  Local is good. We don’t need to drive our cars so far and we support the local economy too.

We are planning our AGM at the moment a bit late but the clogs of the system are moving.

Sending light to you all

Susan

Dear All,

Warm wishes to you.

Finally at the Community Centre we are emerging from lockdown.

I’m sure each of us has experienced these times in a different way according to our individual situations.

The pandemic has also emphasised our oneness and how we all affect each other, each individual’s actions, thoughts influence the whole. This works in a positive or negative way.

We are smothered in hand gel, social distancing rules and track and trace here. I realise lots of people are still a bit apprehensive but life must go on. During lockdown we got the news that we had won the Queens award for voluntary service, which is very prestigious. We are thrilled and so grateful to all those over the past years who have given their time freely to support us and further our work here. It is the culmination of many years. I’m hoping we can have a big party at some point. When I first arrived there were no volunteers at all.

As things come back on line we will keep you informed. For the moment we have the holiday club running from here during the day Monday to Friday. Halls are available to book for the evening or weekends.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Kind regards

Susan

MILL END COMMUNITY CENTRE RECEIVES

THE QUEEN’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Our hard working volunteers have been honoured with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

They are the backbone of the business and help in so many ways. They run our very popular weekly Community Café; weekly Job Club for job seekers; help with administration and legal advice and assist with ground keeping. They also play a major part in the annual Community Day and the Christmas Event where Father Christmas always manages to leave the North Pole and pay us a visit.

Mill End Community Centre is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2^nd June, the anniversary of the Queens’ Coronation. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse. They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including a community shop in Cornwall, an environmental group in Swansea, a group working with refugees and vulnerable people in Stirling and a thriving community arts centre in County Down.

Representatives of Mill End Community Centre will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from Mill End Community Centre will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this years’ Award.

The Manager of Mill End Community Centre, Susan Gambula, says that she is very proud of her team of volunteers and is delighted that the hard work and dedication they show has been recognised and rewarded in this way.

Quote from volunteer: It all started when I was asked to bake some cakes for the newly opened Community Café, approximately 5 years ago. I continue to volunteer as it is my way of helping the community, I have made some very good friends and it is also where I met my lovely wife.

In line with the latest Government ruling Mill End Community Association will be closing as from today. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you all in the future. Stay safe, stay well and wash your hands.

We have been nominated for a Queens Award for Volunteers. 3 of our lovely volunteers attended a reception at County Hall with the Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council on Thursday 27th February. We are up against some strong candidates, so wish us luck!