NOTES FROM ROTARY MEETING 16th AUGUST 2022

1. 31 have now confirmed attendance on 30th August; minimum requirement has been met

2. Trustees will consider the £1,000 request from RRCP Shift, Youth and Community

3. David Tigwell can now be formally inducted as a new member

4. Reading Abbey Club is still looking for assistance, especially marshals for their Englefield 10k run on 28 August 2022.  Details can be found on www.englefieldrun.info.  If you can help, please contact the Abbey President Darren Holmes on dmholmes001@gmail.com

1. Eydis: UoR has still to decide the date for the Santa Run  

2. Leslie welcomed members’ support for food in Africa where problems are huge.  Food and fuel prices have doubled.

3. Jack can obtain 20 tickets in the centre front two rows for Top Hat at The Mill at Sonning on Wednesday December 7th.  It will have to be on a first come first served basis.  The bar opens at 6.00, dinner is at 6.45 and the show start 8.15. Tickets cost £76 and include a two-course meal with coffee and a programme.

4. Simon C invited tombola prices for the September golf day

5. Frank P offered wine to the tables to celebrate his 60th wedding anniversary 40 year of which he has been a Rotarian.  

1. Next Zoom Meeting: Tuesday 23rd at 11:45 for 12:00; Speakers: Colin MacLean + Fred McCrindle of Reading Abbey; Subject : “Launch Reading” Rotary initiative to support entrepreneurs; Welcome to Guests: Alan Haine; Vote of Thanks: Leslie Green

2. Next Face to Face Meeting: Tuesday 30th at 19.30 for 20.00 hours at Mapledurham Golf Club; SPEAKER:  Simon Jones of Jones & Jacobs; Subject:  Art Auctioneers and Valuers

Subject: Mentoring young people who face disadvantages

1. Starting Point is in its 10th anniversary mentoring and creating opportunities.  Last year they 127 mentored 127 of whom 63 had mental health issues as well as disabled people and those with criminal record.  The large number of mental health clients is due to long NHS waiting lists.   

2. Starting Points tries to incentivise clients, provide them with a boost to get up in morning, steer away from bad behaviour and integrate in the local community.   

3. Mental health help and eliminating anxiety are common themes where just a simple coffee chat can be a helpful start.  

4. Mentoring is the next step.  It consists of talking to independent person, role modelling behaviour, showing care, kind gestures, providing a long term relationship by sharing experience, being a sounding board and providing encouragement without set time limits.  It is a relational, tailored and holistic activity, based on a genuine interest in the person’s wellbeing – seeing and following positive changes with them.

5. Starting Point provides the hub, creating a safe welcoming space; young people need trusted adults around them.

6. Romy concluded by inviting volunteers to come forward and spend 1 hour per week with young people in need.  She said in response to questions that most referrals come through the Council’s Social Services department but also mental health agencies and connections.  26 14-15 years old girls form the most critical age group, needing early intervention.  Work is generally not their radar; just getting them to sport is already quite something.  Today’s choices make life difficult without the structures we had in the past - mobile phones have a lot to answer for.

7. During his vote of thanks Tony valued Romy’s great contribution to a utopian vision endorsing her encouragement to become befrienders.