OCTOBER 2009 NEWSLETTER

National Parenting Week Special!

Hi everyone

National Parenting Week takes place this year from 18^th-24^th October.  The Watering Hole, Patch Children’s Centre and the Testwood PSA Louise have arranged various activities for you to get involved with – most days there are 3 or more events planned!  My favourites are the Christmas Budgeting sessions, the Tasty Options drop in, the Family Quiz Night (hoping to have a team ourselves – it won’t take a lot to beat us!) and of course, Duck Racing in the New Forest!  Call us on 02381800120 or Rosemary on 07941 903257 for an Events Guide.

Parents Matter (New Forest)

Also during this week, the new Parents Matter group will be launched....  Are you a parent with a burning issue?  Has there been a school or organisation that you’d like to give a gold star to?  Would you like to have your say in what happens for parents and children in Totton and Waterside?  If so, this is your moment - your views really matter to us, so look out for people wielding clipboards popping up all over the place, from your local supermarket to the local hall asking for your views during National Parenting Week. 

(See below for details of the Catch Open Morning to promote this group)

Drug and Alcohol Awareness sessions

Do you feel out of your depth speaking with your children about drugs or alcohol?  Or are you concerned about your own or somebody else’s substance use? 

Adam, the newest member of our team, in partnership with The Watering Hole and the Parent Development Team, has organised 2 FREE awareness raising sessions to inform and advise parents/carers in an informal setting with a nice cup of tea and slice of cake! 

Wednesday 21^st October at Totton and Eling Community Centre from 10–11am

Friday 23^rd October at Catch 47 (47 Rumbridge Street, Totton) 7-8pm.

Open to all members of the Totton and Waterside Community and – as ever - if transport is a problem, just give us a call on 023 81 800 120 and we’ll try to assist!

Relive your Youth Club days!

Come and relive your youth at your own Youth Club session at Hythe Youth Club, Jones Lane on Thursday 22^nd October 7-9pm!  With burgers, sweets and table football you can take a step back in time, and also see how the Youth Team, the Parent Support Team and Family Support Workers all work together locally to support you and your family.  A perfect opportunity to embarrass your teenagers!

Catch 47 – Open Morning

It’s been really good to see so many of you popping into our offices at 47, Rumbridge Street, for a bit of advice, to pick up some info or to just find out more about what we do.  The office is open for drop-in every morning from 9am-1pm.

On Tuesday 20^th October Geraldine will be available to talk about the Parents’ Matter (New Forest) group and various ways to get involved (you don’t necessarily have to attend meetings so don’t be put off).  Come in and enjoy a FREE coffee & doughnut.  Every visitor who completes a brief questionnaire will be entered into our draw for an opportunity to win a £10 supermarket voucher.

However, if mornings aren’t good for you (to be honest, mornings have never been good for me!) then just give us a call on 023 81 800 120 and we can arrange a time that’s convenient to you.

Calling all Waterside Youth!

The young people across the South of the Waterside have been asking for more activities during the school holidays and Darryl Hindle (Hardley PSA), Geraldine Spencer (Catch), Debbie Elliott, Sarah Schlesinger (Youth Workers) have been listening!  During October half term FREE taster activities/consultation events will be held from Calshot to Hardley and we want YOU to tell us what you like and what you’d like next!  Don’t miss this opportunity to have a say about activities YOU want to see provided in YOUR local area.

Mon 26 Oct/Blackfield Neighbourhood Centre/5-11s/10.00am-12.00noon/FREE Arts & Crafts

Monday 26 Oct/Gang Warily/5-16s/2-4pm/FREE activities

Tuesday 27 Oct/The Mill Pond/5-11s/2-4pm/FREE Arts & Crafts

Tuesday 27 Oct/Colors Youth Centre/School Years 9 & 10/6.30pm-9.00pm/50p entry fee

Wednesday 28 Oct/Jubilee Hall,Fawley/5-11s/10am-12noon/FREE Arts & Crafts

Wednesday 28 Oct/Colors Youth Club/11-16s/2-4pm/FREE drop-in & refreshments

Thurs 29 Oct/St George’s Hall, Calshot/11-16s/2-4pm/FREE drop-in & refreshments

Friday 30 Oct/QE2 Centre,Blackfield/5-11s/10am-12noon/FREE Arts & Crafts

Volunteers “Thank you”

Since February our fantastic volunteers have donated a massive 409 hours of their time.....  They enjoyed a night out on the skittles to show our gratitude but we want to give a BIG thank you here!  It makes such a huge difference to us at Catch and we would be lost without you.  However, we are always on the search for people that want to get involved – so don’t hold back – you know who to call!

Hounsdown Community Association’s Community Initiative Competition

To celebrate Hounsdown Community Centre’s 25^th anniversary, the HCA are launching a competition for ideas to develop the community, such as a community friendly event or new group.  It is open to young people age 8-16 who live in Hounsdown, Eling or Rushington, or are regular users of the Community Centre. There are prizes worth £150, plus the possibility that your idea could be implemented.  The competition closes on 31^st Oct.  For more information or an entry form, please contact Catch on 023 81 800120.

Well, I’ve exhausted myself now, so will finish there.  Whatever you do during Parent’s Week and half term, have a great time and enjoy the time together!

Take care