VAC releases film to celebrate Chat Central Success.
From bowls and Bollywood dance to tennis and Tai Chi and plenty more in between, Voluntary Action Coventry has launched a film to celebrate and capture the successes of the Chat Central project, which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The three-year project, which combats loneliness, has seen participants from across the city, walk through its doors and has evidenced more than 80% participants with improved self-confidence.
Chat Central champ, Michael Haynes, who has completed more than 75 Mission Possible Litter Picks over the last 18 months with the project, said: “Chat Central is great, it gets me out of the house and I have met new people”.
Since then, he has become a dedicated member of their litter-picking crew, turning up every Friday, come rain or shine, to help keep the streets of Coventry clean.
It is not just weekly litter picks that Michael gets involved in. Through Chat Central’s ‘Mission Possible’ group volunteering experiences, Michael has been doing his bit around Coventry. He has helped to check and sort Christmas shoeboxes with Samaritan’s Purse, tidy up the outdoor space of the Priory Visitor Centre and create a community garden at CROW Recycling in Hillfields.
Chat Central also introduced a group of volunteers to Clothing Coventry – sorting clothing donations in the charity’s warehouse. Michael enjoyed this experience so much that he has been going back to give his time independently.
Other participants featured in the film have added their praise for the project. Steve Reilly said: “Chat Central supported me by making me come out of my shell. I was in a really bad place last year and I’m trying to be normal again and it’s worked really well.”
Fellow participant, Doctor Rakesh Kaushal added: “I feel Chat Central has supported me by basically providing a place in which I can try new things, you know playing darts, playing pool, board games, music sessions, canoeing. So, it has just uplifted by confidence and raised my self-esteem.”
Participant Suk Young Wong said: It’s very important to me because I’s got some time in my life and I need to get some normal life schedule. I love Chat Central.”
Sue Ogle, CEO for Voluntary Action Coventry said: “Chat Central has created a culture of friendliness and support, where isolated people are listened to – through our person-centred approach, they get to try out new experiences, gaining confidence, making new friendships along the way. Providing a stepping stone into greater participation in their community, with some participants even going on to permanent volunteering roles.”
Find out more about the project and current activities on the Chat Central webpage.
