Talk Back. Fire Safety. August YMCA Brighton

Transcription

1 z TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 Talk Back YMCA Brighton August 2017 Your News, Your Voice Fire Safety by Julie We all have a duty to prevent fires and at the YMCA we work cohesively to create a fire safety culture in which knowledge and information about fire safety and fire prevention is shared. This quarter Julie from Stanley Court told us about a visit they received from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. They had a few top tips for us, all which she kindly shared. Here s what she told us: On the 29 th June three fire officers from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service came out to Stanley Court to speak to us about fire safety. They handed out a leaflet called BE A HERO. This contained 5 easy checks to keep yourself and neighborhood safe. 1. Check you ve turned the cooker off 2. Check that your fridge freezer is defrosted at least once a year. 3. Check that your oven is clean. 4. Check your plug sockets. 5. Check your wiring. The fire officers discussed ways of reducing fire risks at home, specifically focusing on the flats at Stanley Court.

2 TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 2 Art Attack by Neil Stanley Court artist Neil shared a photo of his most recent artwork. The attention to detail is stunning in this incredible piece! Thanks for sharing Neil. If you would like to see your artwork, poetry or other creative pieces featured in the Newsletter speak to a member of staff or sarah.law@brightonymca.co.uk

3 TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 3 The Big Fig By Will The Big Fig catering company came to George Williams Centre on 30 th May to cook lunch with some of the residents there. During the session we learnt how to joint a chicken, made healthy flatbreads and then marinated the chicken which was accompanied with a tomato, red pepper and paprika sauce and garlic and lemon yoghurt dressing all put together on flatbreads. It was a delicious lunch and an opportunity to learn professional kitchen skills. Some of the residents that attended will now go on to longer courses with The Big Fig having been inspired by the cooking session. Sowing Seeds By Neil and Jane Jane sent us these pictures of Neil sowing seeds at Preston Park with Brighton and Hove Food partnership. Neil goes every week to help maintain the gardens at Preston Park and he told us how much he enjoyed it: Once a year a small team of volunteers go to Preston Park to plant wild flowers in the old bowling greens. We spend an enjoyable few hours busily spreading a bit of joy further! It s a nice thing to do as we can see the fruits of our labor and have a laugh with some old friends. Neil There are lots of other gardens across the city that people can get involved in. For more information see the Brighton and Hove City Council Website:

4 TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 4 Food Glorious Food by Simon Now that winter has been seen off for another year residents at Stanley Court no longer receive free soup on a Tuesday. No, the soup has gone. Instead we now receive smoothies! Yes, it s true; every Tuesday Monika now prepares fresh fruit (and sometimes veg) smoothies, free to any resident who cares to drop by the office. Strawberry, pineapple, avocado you name it! After Mays resident meeting, in which we had a talk about sexual health along with some advice and support, everybody streamed into the garden for a BBQ. We had drinks, crisps, dips, cakes and snacks as well as freshly grilled chicken, hot dogs, burgers, salad and fruit! All was expertly prepared and supplied in such quantity that everyone took some home too. On top of the wonderful catering, Monika somehow found time to prepare a quiz with prizes for the top three finishers. Even the weather enjoyed itself and provided a sunny, warm afternoon for everyone to top off their tans, while shade was available beneath the giant Stanley Court Hedge. A great time was had by all! Our Edible Garden By Anita and Sarah Anita sent us these snaps of green fingered gardeners setting up the new vegetable trug at Fred Emery Court. They planted strawberries, tomatoes and chard with a few marigolds to help deter those pesky greenfly! Rosie, the community gardener came to offer some expert advice and a helping hand.

5 TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 5 Thank you Billy! By Sarah and Julie This quarter we were delighted to hear from Julie at Stanley Court who told us all about the great work that Billy does volunteering in the garden. This is what Billy had to say. I like to see what grows in pots and what doesn t. Around Brighton a lot of people live in flats and I find it really interesting to see what can be grown in pots to put out in balconies. Julie told us all about the fruit and vegetables that Billy has been trying to grow: This year we have tried strawberries, tomato, sweetcorn, beetroot, pumpkin, and broccoli as well as flowers from seeds and we have kept them inside before planting them into the pots and the ground. On behalf of Julie, Stanley Court and the rest of Brighton YMCA we want to say a massive thank you Billy! We appreciate you giving your time to help keep the gardens nice and we couldn t do it without you! If you would like to say thank you to someone at the YMCA who gives their time to help out or volunteer then speak to a member of staff or sarah.law@brightonymca.co.uk

6 TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 6 Grill Power! By Sarah This summer Jake and Elaine put on a delicious BBQ for the folk at Steine House. Despite the challenges of having limited outside space, Jake made it work by using small disposable BBQs on the outside patio. With hot coals at the ready he managed to cook up an impressive feast for up to ten people! The food included burgers and healthy chicken skewers with vegetables, fresh fruit and condiments. Everyone agreed that the spread was very impressive! And there was a great atmosphere as everyone enjoyed mingling and lunching together. Thanks Jake and Elaine for putting on such a great spread! Don t forget to send us pictures and details of your in-house events! You can them to: sarah.law@brightonymca.co.uk You are Quali-Tree By Phil and Julie Phil rescued a Bonsai Tree from Stanley Court s court yard. The tree desperately needed some tender loving care so he decided to look after it in his flat and return it when the tree is back to its former glory. This is what Phil had to say. This tree, I want to give it a new lease of life because I think it s beautiful, it just needs some loving attention. Phil went to Brighton s Bonsai Tree shop and asked for some advice on caring for the plant and bought some special treatment for the tree. Looking after Bonsai Tree s is not just about nurturing a plant but you need to be creative and patient. Bonsai is a Japanese art from using trees grown in containers.

7 TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 7 Community Learning By Will The community learning team were with Square Lemon Training at George Williams on 7 th June to deliver Level 2 Food Hygiene Training to those that were interested. The breakfast club volunteers at George Williams attended to gain the L2 certificate and refresh their knowledge alongside staff from GWM & WCH who are getting ready to launch their own breakfast club. We learned a lot over the course of the day and everyone left feeling confident and informed having enjoyed the training session. Pottering About By Julie and Billy Julie sent us some pictures of Billy tending to all the lovely pot plants at Stanley Court. Billy regularly helps out in the garden and was recently awarded volunteer of the quarter at Stanley Court! Here s what he told us: I love gardening and nurturing the flowers and plants and seeing the garden grow. When I lived in a hostel in town there was not a garden so when I moved to Stanley Court I was so happy. I water the garden and courtyard every day even if someone else has done it before me. It is part of my day structure and this is good for me. I liked the last Stanley Court BBQ because loads of people commented on how lovely the garden is looking. The garden group is run every Thursday by Monika and with some of the other volunteers we cut back bushes so now there is more space for people to sit. Being involved in the garden group helps me meet other residents in the courtyard as people stop and chat to me. In the garden group we have a little coffee break with biscuits and have a general chat about anything and we all get involved with the discussion. I love it.

8 TALK BACK YMCA BRIGHTON Issue 17 8 Talk Back YMCA Brighton Do you have a story, artwork, poetry or anything else that you want to share with us? If you do have something that you would like to see published in next quarters Talk Back then sarah.law@brightonymca.co.uk or speak to a member of the staff team. 55 Old Steine BN1 1NX