About Us
About Us
Contact Us
St Michael’s Centre is an independent Christian charity which provides a large, thriving community provision at the heart of Bishop’s Cleeve.
Our aim, as a charity, is to offer services and facilities which meet the needs of the inhabitants of Bishop’s Cleeve. We have three charitable objectives.
These are:
1.
To support the provision of Christian Education:
we make our premises available for hire to Christian organisations, such as St Michael & All Angels
Church, enabling a range of educational and recreational activities for children, young people and adults to be delivered. These include parent & toddler groups, children’s groups and youth groups.
2. To provide facilities for recreational activities: we take bookings to use our premises from many varied community groups and individuals. Typical activities include flourishing parent and toddler groups, yoga, chess club, Brownies, birthday parties, Pilates, craft, table tennis, ballet classes, baby massage, piano lessons, U3A, amateur dramatics, community entertainments and socials.
3. To offer support to those most in need in Bishop’s Cleeve, who may be disadvantaged, vulnerable or isolated: we place emphasis on children and families experiencing difficulties and the elderly members of our community who may be alone and feel isolated. We work in conjunction with other local agencies where appropriate and undertake activities such as running a Foodbank for families in crisis, events targeting the elderly housebound and supporting the bereaved. We are have recently started offering free English lessons to Ukrainians living in the local community, in partnership with Cheltenham Volunteer Teachers.
2. To provide facilities for recreational activities: we take bookings to use our premises from many varied community groups and individuals. Typical activities include flourishing parent and toddler groups, yoga, chess club, Brownies, birthday parties, Pilates, craft, table tennis, ballet classes, baby massage, piano lessons, U3A, amateur dramatics, community entertainments and socials.
3. To offer support to those most in need in Bishop’s Cleeve, who may be disadvantaged, vulnerable or isolated: we place emphasis on children and families experiencing difficulties and the elderly members of our community who may be alone and feel isolated. We work in conjunction with other local agencies where appropriate and undertake activities such as running a Foodbank for families in crisis, events targeting the elderly housebound and supporting the bereaved. We are have recently started offering free English lessons to Ukrainians living in the local community, in partnership with Cheltenham Volunteer Teachers.
How we operate
Management and delivery:
The charity has no paid staff and relies on a core of committed Trustees drawn from the local community. They have a hands on approach, with responsibility for managing the charity, maintaining the building, supporting delivery of our projects and organising an ongoing programme of community events. In addition, we have over 50 regular, much valued, volunteers,
Building redevelopment:
Recent major redevelopment and modernisation of our building was made possible through the fundraising efforts of Trustees, the generous financial support of private donors and the significant contributions of a number of major funding organisations to whom we are most thankful. The enlargement and improvement of the building has considerably increased its capacity and our ability to extend our work in the local community. Funding organisations who enabled this project to be achieved are displayed below.
Corporate support:
We are enormously grateful for the extensive support the charity receives from our corporate supporters, acknowledged below. Most notably Ontic, a BBA Aviation Company, which frees-up employees to volunteer on a weekly basis. These volunteers provide outstanding support to our Foodbank outlet and our Friday Lunch Club. Similarly, Badham Pharmacy offers extensive assistance, particularly in helping us meet our printing, advertising and publicity needs.
Community outreach activities
We deliver a range of activities from our premises, St Michael’s Centre in School Road:
St Michael’s Centre Foodbank Outlet
Our Foodbank outlet in Bishop’s Cleeve represents a partnership between St Michael’s Centre, Trussell Trust and
North Cotswold
Foodbank.
The Foodbank provides three days' emergency food for local people in crisis.
Since April 2017, Bishop's Cleeve outlet has served more clients (adults and children) than any one of the other four outlets in the North Cotswold Foodbank area. The facility opens weekly for families and individuals from the local area who are in crisis.
Since April 2017, Bishop's Cleeve outlet has served more clients (adults and children) than any one of the other four outlets in the North Cotswold Foodbank area. The facility opens weekly for families and individuals from the local area who are in crisis.
For further information about the Foodbank, making donations of food or volunteering please Contact Us.
Cleeve Carers and Friendship Group
Aimed at people in and around Bishop’s Cleeve, Gotherington and Woodmancote, who care, or have cared for a housebound loved one in their own home.
The group meets on the second Tuesday afternoon of each month, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, at St Michael's Centre. The organisers endeavour to provide a meeting place where Carers can exchange views and to provide a break or diversion. Help and advice can be given where appropriate and contacts can be made with more specialised organisations. While membership is free a small donation is asked for to cover the cost of hall hire and refreshments. New members are welcome to drop in during sessions.
For further information contact: Mary Hughes Tel: 01242 679112
Email: emaryhughes @btinternet.com
Bereavement Support Group
Provides an opportunity to meet with others and have a cup of tea and cake. The group meets monthly on a Saturday at St Michael’s Centre at 10.30. Feel free to come along to a meeting and bring a friend or family member if you wish.
For more information contact Sally Lavis Tel: 01242
673835
Email: sallyanddears@yahoo.com
Community Social Events
Organised by St Michael’s Centre volunteers. We run a varied programme of highly popular events to appeal to all age groups. These are advertised widely and with modest admission prices they attract a broad range of people from the community. Our volunteers organise events such as Quiz Nights, Pudding Evenings, Entertainments, Folk Nights, Big Breakfasts, Barn Dances, Sunday Roasts and Coffee Mornings.
See the What’s On
page for details of upcoming events.