Tag: Camberley

Memories to be placed on trees of remembrance this Christmas

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Residents are being asked to decorate a Christmas tree with memories this year with the iconic firs being placed in more than 60 locations across the south of England.

Southern Co-op is sending special greetings cards to families they have looked after who have lost a loved one this year. The cards include a pop-out star to let their memories shine bright this Christmas.

They are then being invited to place their stars on the memory trees being put up in Southern Co-op branches of The Co-operative Funeralcare throughout December.

These are based in Alton, Andover, Ash Vale, Aylesbury, Basingstoke, Bishops Waltham, Bognor Regis, Bracknell, Brighton, Camberley, Chichester, Cosham, East Cowes, Emsworth, Fareham, Farnborough, Felpham, Fleet, Freshwater, Frome, Gillingham, Gosport, Havant, Hayling Island, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Hove, Liss, Newport, Peacehaven, Portsmouth, Ryde, Sandown, Shaftesbury, Shanklin, Shoreham by Sea, Sturminster Newton, Uckfield, Warminster, Waterlooville, Wendover, Whitchurch, and Worthing.

Trees will also be located at The Oaks Crematorium in Havant and East Devon Crematorium in Whimple.

The trees are open to everyone in order to give them the opportunity to write a personal message to someone who is no longer with them this Christmas.

Lesley Hadley, Bereavement Coordinator from Southern Co-op’s free Bereavement Care service, said: “This is a meaningful way to acknowledge the absence of our loved ones, and make a start on creating new rituals and traditions that will include them.

“If you are finding this time of year hard, remember to be kind to yourself. It’s okay to spend time in quiet contemplation if you would prefer that to being ‘jollied along’ by well-meaning friends and family.

“Give yourself the opportunity to do what makes you feel most comfortable, rather than what others think you should be doing.”

Information on free bereavement support is available on www.bereavementcare.uk.

Young people get a step up on the co-operative career ladder

Posted on by ashleymarsh

As the number of young people in employment remains below pre-pandemic levels*, a regional co-operative is working to kickstart youth employment in its stores, head office and funeral branches.

Southern Co-op is preparing to welcome its third cohort of Kickstarters at the beginning of September – a Government scheme for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

The latest joiners will take the number of people on Kickstart placements to nearly 40.

The placements are spread across Southern Co-op’s head office in Portsmouth and The Co-operative Food and Funeralcare locations in Addlestone, Banstead, Bristol, Camberley, Havant, Lake on the Isle of Wight, Newbury, Overton, Portsmouth, Romsey, Basingstoke, Southampton, Staines, Tadley and Wimbledon.

Sarah Kavanagh, Business Transformation & HR Director at Southern Co-op, said: “Unemployment has been higher in younger age groups for some time and unfortunately this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. It is clear to us that they need additional help now to get back into work or to take the first step toward full time employment.

“The Kickstart Scheme means we look for people aged 16 to 24, with the right attitude, and give them the opportunity to learn new skills whilst being paid.

“We expected it to take a bit of time for some to find their feet and get into the routine of work but, after about three weeks, we have been getting some great feedback. One manager described their new starter as ‘100% amazing’, ‘flexible, keen and willing to try anything’.”

The Kickstart Scheme placements are funded by the Government for 25 hours per week for six months and referrals are made on to the scheme via local Jobcentres.

The job placements provide opportunities to young people who may have been overlooked before due to lack of experience.

In order to help them gain as many skills as possible, Southern Co-op’s programme is also giving young adults a chance to gain a Level One Certificate in Employability Skills which is being run by Havant & South Downs College.

People interested in a Kickstart placement should speak to their local Jobcentre. For other vacancies at Southern Co-op, visit https://www.southernco-opjobs.co.uk/jobs/.

*Youth Unemployment Statistics, 15 July 2021: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05871/SN05871.pdf

Free family fun event in Yateley

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Bats, balls and bouncy castles are all descending on a town nestled between Hampshire and Surrey to bring communities together in a quintessentially English fashion.

The charity cricket match and family fun day is being held on Sunday 14 July at Sean Devereux Park in Yateley.

It is being organised by nearby branches of The Co-operative Funeralcare and associated funeral directors as a way of bringing people together from the community.

The event will bring together local faith groups, Thames Valley Police, Yateley Cricket Club, Frimley Health Charity and Yateley’s Deputy Town Mayor Greg Easterbrook.

For those who are less interested in cricket, there will also be a barbecue and food stalls including ice cream and cakes, a bouncy castle, face painting and other family games with 20 percent of profits being donated to charity.

To raise money for Frimley Health Stroke Appeal and DrugFAM, there will also be a raffle and a silent auction with the chance to bid on a Lenovo 7” tablet, a NOW TV Smart Stick, a bottle of Bushmills scotch commemorating the concord, a round of golf for four at Billingbear Park Golf Course, a pet photography session with Helen Beech Photography and much more.

Jarrod Turner, Team Leader at The Co-operative Funeralcare, said: “When we first came up with the idea of holding a cricket match, we were picturing a small gathering of people from across the area. But there are so many people in our community that wanted to help that it has grown into a day with activities for everyone.

“I am really pleased that it will also be fundraising for two local charities. Frimley Health’s appeal to build a unit which can be used by patients and their families is particularly close to me as my mum had a stroke 20 years ago now and I saw what rehab she had to go through.

“I dare say there will a lot of people at the event who have been affected by strokes as it is quite common. My mum was decorating her house and she collapsed. She died three times on the operating table. She had to give up work but over time she has recovered and now only has a slight slur in her speech. A lot of her recovery is down to the support she had through rehabilitation.”

On the day, cricket matches will start around 9.30am with all other activities taking place throughout the day finishing with a prize giving from 4-5pm.

Local funeral directors supporting the event including Camberley and District Funeral Directors, JB Hall in Wokingham, Lines Bannister in Ascot, and The Co-operative Funeralcare in Farnborough, Fleet, Ashvale, Bracknell and Frimley Green.

To find out more, visit your local branch. Location details can be found here.