The Young Gloucestershire (YG) Organisation is a Lottery funded drop in Centre for Young Adults and is dedicated to helping them to get a start in life on leaving school. They offer training, development, advice and support too, whilst providing a haven to attend when help or guidance is needed. Volunteer Mentors or Counsellors, an essential part of the operation at the YG find their roles Enjoyable, Taxing and spiritually rewarding!
It is at this point that I can introduce Charles Perkins, a relatively new Mentor and Counsellor at YG, who is committed to helping young and vulnerable adults. Having been and still is a successful businessman, he feels it is the right time in his life “to give something back” to the Community. He is passionate about helping the current youth of Gloucester and even after a short discussion with him you get a feeling that he generates an infectious enthusiasm.
It was during his induction at the YG that Charles first heard that the YG premises in Southgate street was under threat from the Landlords who , having alternative plans for the building ,wanted to evict YG at the end of their lease. Charles was appalled at this idea and in Charles’ words “ I, immediately saw that this facility could not be lost as its help is so invaluable in keeping so many young people off the streets permanently and away from drug addiction”. At that point he decided to use the successful renovation and launch of the Secret Garden Nursery to persuade the bank that Gloucester City was “going places” and to co fund the purchase of the Southgate street building. Once completed Charles then offered the YG a long term lease for 10 years so that they could the maintain their great work with the certainty of continuity for the future.
Charles is the MD and co-owner of the Secret Garden Nursery in Eastgate Street, which was his first investment venture into Gloucester. The Nursery opened some 6 months ago and since it has flourished into an accomplished Nursery which to date has almost 100 infants and toddlers on its register. The nursery rooms are described as very spacious with an incredible amount of natural light. The regency feature makes this a special place for children to spend their day and the large walled garden is the icing on the cake!
Charles is married to wife Katie and has three children of their own. Katie draws on her past experience as a Social Worker and is delighted to be part of a Nursery team, dedicated to enriching the lives of the children in their care. She is delighted when she can pass on her professional experience to assist Parents and carers with any queries they might have.
The link between the Secret Garden and the Young Gloucestershire Centre will become stronger as Charles has a renovation plan for the internal parts of the Centre which will improve the quality of the facilities. It will follow the Nursery ethos by making the area suitable for babies and parents also. Additionally, access to the fabulous garden facilities at the Nursery will be offered to young parents from the YG to enjoy.
Charles is keen to give back to the Community and although he hails from Cheltenham , he has identified the potential for successful development in Gloucester City. For this initiative alone he is a most welcomed addition to our City businesses, particularly when it results in creating and helping worthwhile causes. Perhaps the staffs at the Nursery and at the YG are right when they describe Charles as a local hero?
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Dinglewell Junior School Developments
In this edition we catch up with an important development at Dinglwell Junior School. Following the departure of Head Teacher, Lisa Hartford ,there has been a re organisation of the School Staff with Miss Geraldine Brogan being initially appointed Acting Head Teacher before taking over the reins completely in mid- November.
Geraldine has been at Dinglewell School for over 4 years and is looking forward to the many challenges she can expect on a daily basis in her new role. However, she will always be grateful to Lisa Hartford for the opportunities and the guidance she provided as a trusted mentor and friend.
Already Geraldine is relishing the additional responsibilities of this new role and although those responsibilities are obviously very demanding they are also both rewarding and fulfilling.
I took the opportunity to call in on Geraldine early one morning and within minutes began to realise the importance of the role she has now acquired. Scheduled meetings, unscheduled meetings with Parents, Admin and Timetable queries and Greeting the Children – all this took place before 9am!! Geraldine feels that with such a hectic schedule, getting the time management balance is a key factor, whilst never losing sight of the Children’s needs both in the short and the long term.
The seamless transition process from Deputy to Acting Head to Head teacher has been managed most effectively by both Geraldine and the Governing body. In keeping with the schools philosophy of which Geraldine is completely immersed; her personal goal will be to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to develop to their full potential .
Geraldine is keen to point out that there are some very talented pupils at her school in all areas of the curriculum. A prime demonstration of this will take place in the very near future as part of the Christmas Festivities. Many of the Children will have auditioned for the annual Christmas Concert; a very “professional” production, which this year will have a Robin Hood theme. With the full support of Staff, Pupils and Parents, it is should be an undoubted success!
Geraldine is also aware of the contribution being made by her Acting Deputy Head, Tanya Naylor, a long serving member of staff, whose experience and support is invaluable.
It certainly looks like a sound combination which can progressively take the school forward. Therefore, let us as a Community wish Geraldine, Tanya , All the Staff and Pupils every success for the future at Dinglewell Junior School in 2015.
Geraldine has been at Dinglewell School for over 4 years and is looking forward to the many challenges she can expect on a daily basis in her new role. However, she will always be grateful to Lisa Hartford for the opportunities and the guidance she provided as a trusted mentor and friend.
Already Geraldine is relishing the additional responsibilities of this new role and although those responsibilities are obviously very demanding they are also both rewarding and fulfilling.
I took the opportunity to call in on Geraldine early one morning and within minutes began to realise the importance of the role she has now acquired. Scheduled meetings, unscheduled meetings with Parents, Admin and Timetable queries and Greeting the Children – all this took place before 9am!! Geraldine feels that with such a hectic schedule, getting the time management balance is a key factor, whilst never losing sight of the Children’s needs both in the short and the long term.
The seamless transition process from Deputy to Acting Head to Head teacher has been managed most effectively by both Geraldine and the Governing body. In keeping with the schools philosophy of which Geraldine is completely immersed; her personal goal will be to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to develop to their full potential .
Geraldine is keen to point out that there are some very talented pupils at her school in all areas of the curriculum. A prime demonstration of this will take place in the very near future as part of the Christmas Festivities. Many of the Children will have auditioned for the annual Christmas Concert; a very “professional” production, which this year will have a Robin Hood theme. With the full support of Staff, Pupils and Parents, it is should be an undoubted success!
Geraldine is also aware of the contribution being made by her Acting Deputy Head, Tanya Naylor, a long serving member of staff, whose experience and support is invaluable.
It certainly looks like a sound combination which can progressively take the school forward. Therefore, let us as a Community wish Geraldine, Tanya , All the Staff and Pupils every success for the future at Dinglewell Junior School in 2015.
Future Olympic Hopefuls from the Community
Recently, I was fortunate to attend the Primary School Cross Country Championships held at PlockCourt and witnessed outstanding performances from three of the children from our Community.
Finlay Hawkins aged 10 and Sisters Victoria and Katherine Barnsley-Sutton, aged 10 and 9 respectively are all from the Barnwood. Although, they were representing St Mary’s Junior School in Churchdown, Victoria and Katherine live in Armscroft whilst Finlay lives on Barnwood road.
Between them, they won 3 of the 6 races on the programme. Katherine won the year 4 & 5 Girls race, before Victoria and Finlay each won their respective year 6 races.
It was a unique achievement, for each one of them, led their races from Start to Finish. There were over 130 competitors in each race and with wet and muddy conditions to contend with, it must have taken great stamina and determination for each one to achieve their victories. These were tremendous performances for which they should be highly commended. All received medals for their efforts with a certificate and the opportunity to represent Gloucester City Primary Schools at the County Championships in March next year.
We are always looking to promote achievement in the Community and this a particular instance which clearly demonstrates just how talented and gifted our Community children are.
Finally, when questions are being asked about the legacy from last year’s successful Olympics, look at this outstanding example of achievement; surely, these young athletes are ample proof that the Olympic legacy is still alive and running!
Finlay Hawkins aged 10 and Sisters Victoria and Katherine Barnsley-Sutton, aged 10 and 9 respectively are all from the Barnwood. Although, they were representing St Mary’s Junior School in Churchdown, Victoria and Katherine live in Armscroft whilst Finlay lives on Barnwood road.
Between them, they won 3 of the 6 races on the programme. Katherine won the year 4 & 5 Girls race, before Victoria and Finlay each won their respective year 6 races.
It was a unique achievement, for each one of them, led their races from Start to Finish. There were over 130 competitors in each race and with wet and muddy conditions to contend with, it must have taken great stamina and determination for each one to achieve their victories. These were tremendous performances for which they should be highly commended. All received medals for their efforts with a certificate and the opportunity to represent Gloucester City Primary Schools at the County Championships in March next year.
We are always looking to promote achievement in the Community and this a particular instance which clearly demonstrates just how talented and gifted our Community children are.
Finally, when questions are being asked about the legacy from last year’s successful Olympics, look at this outstanding example of achievement; surely, these young athletes are ample proof that the Olympic legacy is still alive and running!
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