Spring Newsletter 2025
- daisydady
- Mar 17
- 14 min read
We have so much to tell you about what we've been up to since our last newsletter in Autumn, as well as some interesting projects and events happening this Spring
What's been happening?
October
November
December
Little Ones Pop up Shop & Festive Fun - Open Doors
January
February
March
Coming up
Ongoing Services
Donations
We have had a some amazing contributions & donations made over the past few months! Here's a huge thank you to:
Ravenshead & Blidworth Rotary Club, Alka, Gothic Bikers, Gemma Greenhalgh, Pets at Home, Community Soup, Rachel Runel, Home Instead, Tracey Goodman, Rainworth Surgery, The Joseph Whitaker School, EMR, Mary, Pets at Home, Newark & Sherwood District Council, HAF, Nottinghamshire County Council, Walking Football Group, Ben Bartholomew, Kathy Keeton, Lewis Maskery, and annonymous donors
If you'd like to make a donation, please email info@socialactionhub.com or call 01623 490498
Little Ones Pop up shop & Festive Fun
We opened our door's for a Festive Fun morning! 🥰 We had an hour of play with Donna, and then spent the rest of the session doing music and movement with Milly 🤩❤️. It coincided with our Little One’s Pop-up Shop!
Everything on our pop-up shop would've gone to landfill if it didn't get donated to us! This made it possible for parents to access cheap baby items to save money during the cost-of-living crisis.
Over 12s Trip to shadow
We had a spook-tacular time at Shadow! A group of us set up a murder mystery at Sherwood Forest (as a part of the amazing event Shadow) and stayed up overnight to support 70+ teams of young people attend and play the challenges of Shadow!
Well done to all of the groups for navigating their way in the dark around the woodland - you did brilliantly!
We finished the night with a sleepover at The Social Action Hub
Thanks for coming everyone
To see what else we do in Over 12's Sessions, click here
Christmas Market
On 30th November 2024, we had a festive Christmas Market and invited local businesses and stalls to sell products perfect for Christmas Gifts. We also held a stall showcasing our Revive Products from our Online Charity Shop! These are products that are saved from going to landfill and are as cheap as chips, and more than half of their retail price.
We raised more than £400 on this event, thanks to our amazing community! Thank you to everyone who came and contributed to our community:)
When is the next Carboot Sale? Click here to see our special events calendar
October Playscheme
We had a spook-tacular time during October Playscheme 🎃 The fun included making Halloween-themed animals 🐈⬛ and werewolf decorations 🐺, as well as carving pumpkins 🎃 that the kids took home. We played party games like hunted musical statues, scary musical chairs, and danced to spooky tunes. 🥳 On another day, the kids made toilet roll dragons 🐉 and clay models 🪨, then enjoyed outdoor play when the rain cleared. We also got into the Halloween spirit with a “spy pumpkin” scavenger hunt 🎃🔎 and lots of party games, dancing 🪩, and singing on the mic 🎤. It was a blast!
Forest School
What a fantastic time we had at Forest School in October 🤩 We did a spooky scavenger hunt in the woods, then foraged for mushrooms 🍄🟫 and made mushroom spore prints! All of us chopped some veggies to go in the chicken noodle soup which we cooked over the fire and tried a bit of 😋 Then we used the bowsaw and drill to make wooden spinning toys! The following week we made Wormerys, toasted Marshmallows, used Sparklers, Made Dens & DIY Forest Crowns
Trips
During October Playscheme we took 2 trips out! The first trip to cattows farm we saw lots of wonderful displays played on the park, did a spooky trick or treat street walk, got trick or treat bags and petted the animals. At Notts maze we carved pumpkins to take home, made scary masks, sparkly wands 🪄 and listened to spooky spell, Lastly we took a track around the maze, getting supper muddy! And discovering the letters and number of mini scarecrows. We all then enjoyed a Hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.
Free Creative Crafts Course
Did you know we hold a FREE crafts course every Wednesday? It’s not too late to join!
Take a look at the brilliant crafts we’ve made in the past few months 😍 ⏰ 9am-12pm 📅 Wednesdays until 12th March (excluding school holidays)
Here's a few photos to show what we have made in the past few months:)
Course ran by ATTFE - please follow the instructions on the poster to join & use the course code below 👇
Looking for more courses? Follow our Community Learning Facebook Page
5 star Food Hygiene
We are super pleased to announce that we have been awarded our 5-star food hygiene! This covers all our services including The Social Supermarket, Cafe, Youth Community Fridge, the kitchen which we use during Playshceme for the children's meals, and much more!
SatARTdays
Open doors ran FREE activities for young people!
🎨 Art & Creativity Themed Sessions
👥 For Young people aged 12-18
🏆 All received a Bronze award in Trinity College London Arts - Level 1 👇
Over all 6 sessions young people received hands on experiences discovering and exploring new forms of art, creativity, artists and art organisations.
Around 15 young people attended this course, and thoroughly enjoyed it's contents!
Held at The Social Action Hub, Kirklington Road, Rainworth, NG21 0JR
First Senior Youth Club Session in Blidworth
Our first over 12’s session at Blidworth was brilliant! We had some new faces & some of our returning young people who came today 😁 We had a few young people that tried out our blindfold sandwich challenge, to earn points& rewards ⭐️ We enjoyed some KFC from our youth community fridge 😋 Thanks for coming!
To see what else we do in Over 12's Sessions, click here
Jan-Feb Juniors Youth Club
This year we have made some changes to our youth clubs to make young people's experience better! This includes changes to session structure, improved points & rewards system, activities and more. The feedback has been amazing, our attendance has doubled! Thank you to everyone for continued support <3
This year so far, we've had lots of amazing sessions! Take a look at the timetable & photos of sessions below.
Does this look like something your child would be interested in? Click here to see more or book below
Jan-Feb Seniors Youth Club
These past few months we have had some brilliant sessions for our seniors youth club! We have provided fun & enriching activities aligning with the following themes: Detached Forest School, Opposite Day, Chinese New Year, Time to Talk, Valentine's Day, The Social Action Hub & Team Building.
See pictures of the sessions below:
To see more of Senior's Youth Club, click here
February Playscheme
This February Playscheme we had an "All about" theme and covered lots of interesting topics such as: Rainworth, The Social Action Hub, Animals, Connections & Learning
See timetable and photos of sessions below!
Our next Playscheme will be in April - please click here and follow our Facebook to see our timetable once posted
Too good to waste Pop-up Shops
A core part of our Foodshare Scheme is to make food go further! As you may know, we run a variety of food related services which rely on surplus donations from large supermarkets. This food would have been thrown in the bin! Instead, we use this food (still good to eat!) for The Social Supermarket, Emergency Food Parcels, The Chatty Cafe & Youth Community Fridge. If we still have excess food, it goes to our Too good to waste Pop-up Shop for just £1!
Over the past few months, we have ran several pop-up shops and have fundraised over £100 to support projects and services to support the vulnerable e.g) emergency food parcels.
By coming, you are preventing food waste, supporting your local community & grabbing a bargain! Why not!?
To find out when our next pop-up shop will be, join our Team Foodshare Facebook Group for updates :)
DJ Sessions at Seniors Youth Club
On 7th March 2025, for our second Blidworth Seniors Youth Club, Jonah (professional DJ) visited our Seniors Youth Club to engage young people in learning how to DJ using his sound systems, devices and DJ decks! The visit provided new skills & knowledge for teens wanting to get into the music industry.
We will be running another session for our Rainworth Seniors Youth Club in May too! See poster for more details.
To see more of Senior's Youth Club, click here
Seniors Youth Club Trip to West Notts College
On 4th March, a few of us visited West Notts College and saw different areas and classrooms in the building, such as: Hair, Beauty & Barbering, Refined Restaurant, Health & Social Care, Army Hanger Gym, E-sports & Gaming, Sports Hall & 4G, Travel & Tourism, Computer Science & Social Spaces.
Lewis Maskery from West Notts College talked us through the different areas, courses and gave us valuable information about what it's like to study at West Notts College.
This opportunity gave young people the chance to see for themselves what college is like and have some food for thought about what courses they might be interested in after leaving school.
There will be future opportunities to see different areas such as animal care, engineering and brick laying.
Mother's Day Hamper Raffle
Our Mother’s Day Raffle is now live! 🌺
Only £1 for a ticket, for a hamper valued at £40!
Come and grab a ticket from any of our services such as The Social Supermarket, Youth Club, The Chatty Cafe and more ❤️
Funds raised go towards emergency food parcels, free youth clubs and other projects and services ☺️
Thanks everyone, good luck! Winners to be announced on 27th March 😄
Spring Litter Pick
Our annual Spring Litter Pick is coming up! 😊
Let's come together to make our neighborhood a cleaner, greener place!
Every hand makes a difference 🤝
🗓️ 23rd March 2025
⏰ 11am-1pm
❤️ Everyone Welcome
📍 Held at The Social Action Hub
FREE tea & coffee and pastries and tasty cobs available to those who help out! 😋 All equipment is provided 🙏
Are you coming? Let us know! Click here
FREE Community Organising Training
The Social Action Hub, in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council are pleased to be offering this FREE training consisting of three sessions 🤩💡
You will learn skills which support the Social Hub's mission of connecting people across Rainworth and Nottinghamshire, fostering active listening, and uniting communities to create a county where everyone has a voice and access to the resources they need to thrive 🌿
Delivered by experienced Community Organising trainers with over 12 years of expertise, this workshop introduces the Heart, Head, Hands listening approach—a proven method for sparking meaningful community action, whether small or large 🧠
👇 Book Below 👇
BRAND NEW SHOP !!! The Social Supermarket Development Campaign
With investment in funding to facilitate our expansion into larger premises, we can build on our self-sustaining model, continue this vital
work, and provide even greater access to food and resources for the communities we serve—while reducing our environmental impact
further.However, we need to raise £35,560 for building works and associated setup costs to secure the lease. Join us in expanding our impact and providing greater access to vital resources. Your support will help us build a more sustainable and accessible future for our community.
See the brochure below for more information:
Knit & Natter at The Chatty Cafe
27th March!🧶
10am-12pm
We are holding a Mothers Day Knit n’ Natter💗
It is free to attend!
We have all the essentials unless you would like to bring your own and everyone is welcome 🌸
We hope to see you there✨
Held at The Social Action Hub, Kirklington Road, Rainworth, NG21 0JR
April Playscheme for Seniors and Juniors - Including Forest School & Trips
April Playscheme is coming up soon! Held 7th April - 17th April 2025
(See specific dates & times below)
This year, we have a different booking system for HAF bookings called EEQU. Any other bookings can still be made through our usual booking system on WIX.
Despite there only being a certain amount of available days on the EEQU website, HAF Children can come for free on Playscheme throughout the whole school holidays. You can just show up on the day and be signed in as usual.
We require HAF bookings for Seniors Playscheme as well as Juniors Playscheme.
HAF bookings are FREE Funded Places
Standard booking prices:
£13 All Day with Lunch Provided
£10 All Day with Packed Lunch
£5 for Half a Day
The timetable will be posted soon, please follow our Facebook page for updates:
Here are the dates & times:
Juniors Playscheme
7th April - 17th April
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
10am-3pm
Juniors Trip
8th April
Tuesday
10am-3pm
Juniors Forest School
15th April
Tuesday
10am-3pm
Seniors Playscheme
8th April 11th April & 15th April
Tuesday & Friday
5pm-8pm
Seniors Trip
15th April
Tuesday
10am-3pm
Seniors Forest School
8th April
Tuesday
10am-3pm
Crafts Course
(In replacement of cooking course)
Due to low interest on the Cooking Course, ATTFE have decided to ran another crafts course from March until July :)
This time, there are no booklets or worksheets required, and learners can attend at any point throughout the course.
Starting next week on 26th March 2025
Held on Wednesdays at 9am-12pm
Learners are welcome to bring children if they are accompanied by an adult.
Held at The Social Action Hub, Kirklington Road, Rainworth, NG21 0JR
The Chatty Cafe
Every Thursday during term time, the community gather for a free cuppa and a chat at The Chatty Cafe from 10am-12pm.
The Chatty Cafe aims to reduce loneliness and food waste.
Everyone is welcome!
"A simple conversation can make someone go from feeling invisible to visible"
The Social Supermarket
The Social Supermarket is a donation-based low cost food club open to everyone (no eligibility requirements), that tackles food poverty & prevents food waste.
It is £1 to become a member and you can chose between a £4.50 or a £6 basket.
New items in every week! Including: Pet Bank, Baby Bank & Revive items
A £6 shop is equivalent to £45 in Aldi (price matched Jan 2023), and provides food from a range of supermarkets such as M&S, Tesco, CO-OP, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsburrys, Nando's, KFC, and more!
How do I join?
Just come to The Social Supermarket and fill out a membership form, then you can shop and choose the items you would like!
Opening Hours: Monday 10am-2pm, Wednesday 12pm-3pm & 4pm-7pm, Thursday 10am-2pm
To see what's in store, and for general information/updates, join our Facebook Group
Youth Community Fridge
The Youth Community Fridge is a free service for young people accessing our Over 12's or Under 12's Youth Club that provides food & snacks, which can be accessed at any time during their youth club session.
The YCF provides food from a range of supermarkets such as M&S, Tesco, CO-OP, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsburrys, Nando's, KFC, and more!
Food includes sandwiches, pasta pots, wraps, ingredients for cooking, fresh fruit & vegetables and tasty pastries & treats.
The Youth Community Fridge co-insides with cooking activities within youth club sessions
Under 12's Youth Club & Playscheme
Youth Club
Youth Club sessions run every Monday & Wednesday during term time, providing children from ages 5-12 with FREE fun & educational themed sessions including different games, arts & crafts and activities every session.
Blidworth Youth Club: Mondays 4:30pm-6:30pm at Blidworth Oaks Primary School, FREE
Rainworth Youth Club: Wednesdays 4:30pm-4:30pm at The Social Action Hub, FREE
Playscheme
Youth-club-style sessions that run from 10am-3pm throughout the school holidays!
£13 All day with lunch provided
£10 All day with packed lunch
£5 Half a day
Free & discounted places for children in receipt of benefit related free school meals (or an EHCP) can be offered where funding is available
To see all upcoming timetables, pictures of previous Youth Club & Playscheme sessions, and general information & updates please click here and follow our Facebook page.
Forest School
On Thursdays during the school holidays, we offer an alternative option to go to Forest School.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth. It is a program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.
Would you like to take a look at upcoming/previous sessions? Click here to find out more.
Over 12's Youth Club
Over 12's Youth Club offers a fun, welcoming and safe environment for young people to have the choice of socialising with friend & playing games, relaxing, accessing 1-2-1 support, and/or participating in youth board projects for the community.
Lots of provision available such as football, movies, discos, cooking sessions, trips, pool, and more!
We have an open door policy, come and go as you please!
C-CARD
C-CARD registration, sexual health and relationship advice available during over 12's sessions. C-CARD Pick ups at any time.
To see what our over 12's have been up to, or for any more information/updates please click here and follow our Facebook Page.
DIY Party Packages
Did you know we hire our building & bouncy castle for parties?
We are offering silver or gold packages with additional 'extras' as a part of a DIY party. Please see poster below for a breakdown of what is included in each package.
£50 Refundable breakage deposit required.
Please note: Bouncy Castle is weather dependable and will not operate in wet weather.
Room Hire
We offer room hire for the whole building or just a room (well-being room, pictures are below) for multi-use purposes, as well as our Forest School Hub. Hires can be throughout the week or at the weekend - if the hire falls on a week day, then this would have to work around our current projects & services and would have staff present in the building during these times (however would not interfere with the hire)
Room Hire Rates: £15 per hour / £10 per hour for charity & good causes
£5 extra for kitchen use
If you are looking to hire, please email info@socialactionhub.com or call 01623 490498 to see availability.
Forest School Hub - Incudes 'The Treehouse' Outdoor well-being room
Animal Food Bin
To make our food go even further, we put all of the food no longer fit for human consumption in our 'animal food bins'.
The bins are clearly labelled with their contents 'Bread & Pastries' and 'Fruit & Vegetables'.
Anyone is free to collect food from the animal food bins at the collection times:
Monday - Friday 9am-4pm
The bins are located outside of The Social Supermarket in front of the grey gates.
Volunteering
We have a range of volunteering opportunities available to suit everyone's needs and availability. Roles can be in support of D of E, Work experience, or general volunteering. You could volunteer in areas such as:
The Chatty Cafe
The Social Supermarket - store assistant
The Social Supermarket - food collector
Youth Club & Playscheme
Community Events (litter picks, carboot sales, fundraising events)
Admin Support
To find out more about the requirements and responsibilities for each role, please contact info@socialactionhub.com or call 01623 490498 to have a discussion.
We are flexible, and will be able to find something that suits you!
Too Good To Waste - Pop Up Shop
On selected Fridays when we have excess food from The Social Supermarket (usually fruit & veg and bread & pastries), we hold a pop up shop.
It is £1 for as much as you like
Available from 11am-1pm
This service is a part of our FoodShare scheme, tackling food poverty and preventing food waste. We try to make all of our food go further, as it is 'too good to waste'!
As the pop up shop is only available on selected days, please join our Facebook Group for updates.
Thank you for reading!
During the months between our newsletters, we will post shorter blogs like this so we can share all of the great things our community has been up to recently.
Our next newsletter will be the 'Summer Newsletter' which will be posted march time.
What's the difference between a Blog and a Newsletter?
Newsletters are our quarterly updates on projects & services, which reflect on the previous months, following on from the contents of the last newsletter.
We also add our upcoming events/projects/services and any additional notices for the upcoming few months.
We appreciate a large newsletter can be a lot to read, and in fact some short projects come & go between newsletters, so to be sure we don't miss anything and avoid long waiting times - we post blogs more regularly.
Blogs relate to current activities which will be happening or have recently taken place, within a few months, and gives us an opportunity to introduce services for first time readers and update time tables.
Blogs fill the gaps between each newsletter and make sure we keep you up to date with our latest information. We run a lot of things at once and it is important to keep information updated and on more than one platform.
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