24/12/2024
As 2024 winds down, I’m sure many of you are reflecting on the year that’s passed. It may have been a year full of growth and progress or a time of challenges that left you feeling lost, stuck and overwhelmed. Wherever you are, there’s one thing we can all agree on: the close of the year is the perfect opportunity for renewal and as we wrap up this year and look ahead to 2025, now is the time to take action and for me……prioritise wellness.🙏🏽
This year we have supported thousands of members with the best in rescued resources - if you remember back when Re-imagine was first thought of, that was our goal - to bring art and craft materials to those who couldn’t afford them and wow has it grown. Charities, Community Groups, Schools, Colleges, Nurseries, Childminders, business owners, church groups, market stall holders, social activists, crafters, makers, artists, teachers, community workers, families and individuals. I’m so grateful to all our members who make the choice to shop rescued resources and thereby support the work we do in our community. It’s not possible without you. 💚
In October I took on the brand new role of a Commissioner for the Cambridgeshire Poverty Commission. Read more here if you like.
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/communities/poverty-strategy-commission
The commission’s mission is to understand the extent of poverty in our county and examine ways the voluntary, public and private sector can work collectively in a system-wide effort to tackle poverty. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most talented and driven folks who are part of the Commission, each wanting to make a real impact, and giving up a huge amount of their already busy schedules to really make a difference in our county. ❤️ During this time I have been out and about across Cambridgeshire, meeting with many different individuals and organisations that are doing fantastic work in the sector and listened to those who provided firsthand knowledge of living in poverty and I am really hopeful that all those conversations will contribute to real change for those experiencing poverty. Everyone has been so welcoming and Special thanks to Cambridge Sustainable Food Sam Dyer who visited Re-imagine and allowed me a real insight to the workings of the Food Network in Cambridge. 💚
Huge shout out to my work colleagues at the Witchford Recycling Centre, the best bunch of guys who do a really difficult job and who always look out for me. Last year was a really tough one after the break-in and I just wouldn’t have gotten through it without their support. Thanks also to Thalia for their continued support. 💚
The East Cambridgeshire Communities team that are so passionate about the work they do and are always joining the dots to services and new community initiatives. Thanks to Wendy Lansdowne for sharing the work we do in such a positive way and for organising a big visit from Council sector leaders to take a look around Re-imagine and to be able to exchange ideas for the future. This has led to funding to finally build our safe space at the centre, which will get underway early next year. ❤️
Well we did it again, every year it gets more difficult but I’m so grateful to all of those who helped! The logistics of Christmas Hampers is always tricky. How do you store enough food for the Hampers….delivery of fresh food presents even more of a challenge!? So thank you to Fareshare who we purchase food from to be able to provide fresh, healthy food for the meals we provided with some of the deliveries.💚
This year we were asked by Housing Association if we could help with supplying Hampers to their residents that needed some support at Christmas, we also worked with Local Organisations, Charities, Head Teachers, Community workers, Women’s Centres and this year Active Play Education to get Hampers to those who were really struggling this Christmas. ❤️
It’s just not possible without the generosity of those local families and businesses and churches who support the work we do.
Big shout out to .Andrews Church in Sutton, and to Fiona who collected a huge number of pants for our DROP YOUR PANTS campaign. Thank you to all of you who donated underwear, which is on its way to 's and in Cambridge and local Womens Centres. ❤️ Also a huge thank you to Emma Fryer who between her and all her yoga students donated all the cranberry, mint and bread sauce for the Hampers! 🫶🏽
Lots of events this year and none possible without my bestest helper Tashi and even in the rain we had a good time! Cheers to Dan and for their help with events and even doing a volunteer day to package up the gifts ready for Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue to give away. You guys are so fun! 🫶🏽
We couldn’t reach so many people without the help of volunteers. We appreciate you all! Special thanks to the Logistics Team at , Lancaster Way, Witchford who came as a huge group and we got so much accomplished - thank you to each of you. ❤️
All the businesses have been so generous this year and we thank you for your donations. Thanks to City Cycle Centre Craft Department for amazing donations to the centre of button tubes, fabrics & haberdashery items. 💚 Shout out to Christine Shaw Community Coordinator for John Lewis & Partners Cambridge (and to the Warehouse Team for their deliveries this year) for all the wonderful baubles which were such a big hit this year at Re-imagine. 💚💚💚
The biggest success of the year has to be the Social Supermarket. It has been really great offering such a fantastic alternative way to provide food for your family and I’ve met some absolutely awesome folks in the process. There’s exciting changes to this service next year, including opening more days and in another location. Our intention is to always bring you innovative and creative ways to help you not just survive but thrive. In Solidarity. 💚
Finally, I'm so pleased to announce a fantastic grant from the to continue our community work and bring you our programme for next year. The trustees took time to visit the centre to see how we support our community and were unanimous in their decision to support us. I thank them for their time and belief in the future of Re-imagine and their commitment to ensuring we can continue all our services. 🙏🏾❤️ It's just the best news!!!
But first a break, I’m going to take some time off. This year has been tough, health wise, professionally and spiritually. I’m going to rest, not to recharge so I can do more but really rest and recover. Plus eat, drink and be a little merry. 🤶🏽
Christmas can be tough for lots of reasons, I wish you a day of doing whatever it is you like to do. ❤️
Happy Christmas Eve to you and yours.
Ruth
P.S. Sharing my tree with you, feel free to post yours. 🎄🎄🤗🤗😍😍🎄🎄
