Community learning is fun, motivating and helps ensure your reach your goal!

CCB are facilitating two courses on food hygiene – an Introductory Certificate in food safety equivalent to a level 1 qualification. Certified by the CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health). Suitable for anyone works or volunteers in a food environment occasionally. For example, those helping at cake sales, scout camps, school PTA’s/fundraisers, church fetes, community BBQ’s etc. Both courses are independent of each other and will cover the same material so you only need to book on one of the dates below if you would like to attend.

This training is supported by Wokingham Adult Community Learning and priority will be given to those people working or living in Wokingham.

Saturday 30 March 10.00am – 2.00pm

Charvil Village Hall The Hawthorns, Charvil, Reading RG10 9TR

Booking is essential as places are limited; https://ccberks.wufoo.com/forms/zediibg138su2e/

Saturday 11 May 10.30am – 2.30pm

St. James’ Church Centre, Church Lane, Finchampstead RG40 4LU

Booking is essential; https://ccberks.wufoo.com/forms/zug1hxk0lyx5ci/

Your skilled trainer Ally has a post graduate diploma in dietetics, 25 years’ experience of working in the food sector, an affiliate member of the CIEH and a registered trainer with the CIEH.

Why not train with a friend/colleague – it makes learning more enjoyable and it is great to share your experience!

Community buildings and village halls are valuable and essential venues for playgroups, dance classes, spots activities, adult education, meeting, family celebrations and other activities.. Community events and groups provide key social opportunities for people to come together to celebrate or link-up with neighbours and others from their village, town or surrounding area.

This session will give volunteers that run or organise these a greater understanding of social media and how it can be used as a key marketing tool to help them promote their club, group, building or event, improve bookings/attendance and keep people informed and up-to-date on information. This session is supported by Wokingham Borough Council Adult Community Learning.

Ran by a Social Media Expert & Senior Marketing Manager, Eleanor Craig, from Berkshire based business Yell.com the training will cover:

Facebook – what is most appropriate for your community asset or group – business page, group or personal page. How to engage with Facebook Live, creating events, getting reviews, creating posts with accompanying imagery, different post types.
Twitter – how to post (character limits), respond, add photos/videos, use hashtags, how to find & join in local conversations.
Instagram – image formats and filters, using hashtags and locations.
Google My Business – the benefit of adding location to Google Maps, imagery, reviews etc.
Benefit of listing your hall or group on Yell.com

Once the theory part of the session is over there will be the opportunity to ask many questions and to put your knowledge into motion straight away by bringing along your laptop and beginning to set up or improve your social media presence.

This training is FREE for CCB & CBAS Members or £10 for non- member. Delicious refreshments will be provided. To book please click here, we have two places left: https://ccberks.wufoo.com/forms/social-media-training-for-communities/

Last Friday (08/02/19) CCB joined with colleagues from the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire at an event hosted by Richard Benyon MP called Beyond the Front Door: A Conference on Loneliness and Isolation. Over 90 people filled the Fair Close Day Centre, Newbury to discuss the causes of loneliness, how it impacts people from all age groups, and what can be done to reduce its impact. Our Chief Officer Tim Parry spoke at the event and was delighted to be joined by 3 people from different parts of West Berkshire to illustrate the different ways that community initiatives bring people together and sometimes provide the only opportunity people have for social contact. We are very grateful to Julie Noakes from Bradfield Southend Community Shop, Rebecca Barker from Mortimer Lunch Club and Pat Croysdill from Leckhampstead village Hall for giving their time to speak at the event.

Richard’s summary at the end of the event highlighted our desire to ensure that the event wasn’t just about talking about loneliness. Indeed, over 20 people stood up to highlight the role they or their organisation plays in addressing loneliness, to describe an issue that requires focus or to make an offer of support that they can provide.

From our CCB’s perspective, we want to encourage communities to do three things:

• Be alert to the signs of loneliness: keep an eye out for people who may be looking for someone to talk to
• Celebrate all of the activities and groups that bring people together: widely promote them to make sure they are well used and open to all
• Reflect on the range of activities that do take place: consider whether there are sections of the community less well catered for and make plans for new activities to address these unmet needs

Our door is always open to anyone from any community in Berkshire interested in this issue and wanting to explore further the opportunities to increase social contacts where they live.

Please find a video produced by That’s Thames Valley news who attended the event and compiled the following report: