The document is the October/November 2021 newsletter from ESC (European Solidarity Corps) Bournemouth. It includes articles about ESC volunteers being interviewed on the radio, how hosting European volunteers has benefited a youth project called The Chatterboxes, and YMCA's Big Sleep Easy fundraising event where local businesses slept outside in cardboard boxes to raise awareness of homelessness.

1. ESC NEWSLETTER - October /November 2021
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2. HOPE FM by Maria
Being a ESC Volunteer gives you
many experiences, but we would
have never said that one of them
was going to be being interviewed
for the radio.
But there we were Mate (ESC Volunte-
er from Hungary), María (ESC Volun-
teer from Spain) and Angela (ESC
Volunteer Coordinator), Tuesday 28th
October at eight in the morning. And
what a magical experience. At the
beginning we were in such a peaceful
state that you would think they get
interviewed every day. Well, María
was, because Angela and Mate were in
a peace state that whoever would say
that they are interviewed everyday.
But thanks to Blair Crawford for
making it easy. From the first moment
he was really natural, and at the end it
was like talking to a friend.
He asked us not many questions but
the perfect questions, like for exam-
ple… What has been the most shocking
thing related to English culture for us? What do we miss the most? What have we
learnt? And even if sometimes we had already answered those questions, saying it out loud
on the radio made everything more real.
If you want to know what we answered but you missed it or if you want to listen
to it again… You are so lucky because you have the chance to listen
to it by following this link:
h t t p s : / / s o u n -
dcloud.com/hopefmra-
dio/hope-fm-best-bi-
t s - y m c a - e u -
ropean-volunteer-progra
mme

3. HOSTING EUROPEAN VOLUNTEERS
AT THE CHATTERBOXES - by Jacob
The Chatterboxes is a youth action project run by young
people with disabilities aged 11-25 years old from
Bournemouth, Poole and other parts of Dorset.
The project has hosted many volunteers since the ESC project
started and Jacob (22), a Chatterbox for more than 11 years,
explains how the partnership has evolved during these years.
Since he has been part of the Chatterboxes for more than 11
years, he can talk about how the project has changed during
these years.
“Since we have ESC Volunteers, the project has changed a lot,
we can do more things. There are only two lead staff from the
UK so the presence of the Europeans helps, so the presence of
volunteers helps a lot because we are able to do more things,
there is more help and the sessions are smoother.”
Would you say you have learnt things about other countries?
“Yes, absolutely. We have had volunteers from Germany, Italy,
East Europe, France, Scandinava… having them, you see the
perspective of where they come from. Sometimes the way of
living and their experiences are very different”
What would you say is the most challenging thing?
“Definitely the language. Sometimes I feel it is a bit tricky to
talk to them, because sometimes they learn the language on
the fly, and it could be difficult. But at the end they all improve,
learn and the most important thing, they are a support for the
Chatterboxes.”
One good example is Jenny, don’t you think? (Jenny used to be
volunteer a few years ago and she ended up working for the
project)
Yes, when she arrived she knew some English but she was not
so fluent, but after all this time, she has improved a lot and
now she is excellent. I am really proud of every volunteer
who has passed through The Chatterboxes.
Could you tell us a highlight of these years with ESC
Volunteers?
For me one of the highlights is always the presentations,
hearing about their stories, their background, the personal
round… I also really like when they do workshops and
presentations.
And finally, do you have any advice for the next volunteers to come?
I would say… get to know the people of the project as much as possible,
be prepared to speak a lot of English, time-wise and get involved as much as
you can to learn as much as possible.
Jacob didn’t want to finish this article without saying these words “I am very proud of the ESC
Volunteers. We have never had issues, they always do their best to improve in the Chatterboxes
and to improve the Chatterboxes sessions.”
We succeed thanks to you:D

4. HOPE HOUSING
ST CHRISTOPHER’S
CHURCH
TOWNSEND
TEDDY’S
PRE-SCHOOL
CHAPLAINCY
MATCHING GAME!
Match the ESC volunteer setting with the
correct description!
It’s an Anglican Parish church which means that it is
part of the huge Church of England which covers
99% of England.
Activities are for children between 3 and 18 years
old, in a safe space where they can meet people
and have fun. All the groups provide activities which
are bible-based and fun, including stories, craft,
prayer, songs, games and other playtime.
They are passionate about God and passionate about
people.
Our Chaplain is available to offer spiritual support,
pastoral care and moral guidance to YMCA
Bournemouth’s clients, volunteers and staff, and to
their families.
Bournemouth has different neighbourhoods, each
one with a different background. Recently we wrote
about this neighbourhood to learn a little bit more
about it.
We spoke with Chris, YMCA Children Project Worker,
and proud resident of this community.
It’s an independent charity working in partnership
with the YMCA. The charity offers supported
accommodation and personal support for people with
a variety of needs.
Our team are well experienced in supporting
children’s individual needs and believe that the
parent is the greatest educator of all. By working
together, we can help to support your child to enable
them to reach their full potential whilst learning in a
safe, secure and homely environment.

5. FAITHWORKS PROJECTS
Faithworks builds partnerships with churches and other organisations in
the community to run practical, local projects in urban Dorset to help people
to get out of and stay out of crisis. YMCA Bournemouth is one of the
partnerships.
As you know, YMCA is the coordinating organisation while Faithworks is the host
organisation.
Alongside all the projects that Faithworks run, our volunteers are part of:
HALF TIME: Laundry Service for those rough sleeping or in emergency
accommodation. Also is a place where they can have showers or have a hot drink or
meal.
Recovery walks: A two hours walk for people in recovery.
STAY SAFE:this service is a place where service users are supported with practical
needs like making drinks or dinner, but also a safe place where they can use laptops
with internet access, where they can be helped with reading or understanding
paperwork, workshops.
CARPENTRY: a place for those who have already
recovered and are unemployed where they can
keep in touch with the job environment not
to lose the routine. Also, the people
who are part of this project where the
wooden items are stored and sold.
STOREHOUSE: the place where to sell
the wooden items.

6. BIG SLEEP EASY
Almost 15 local businesses from
the Bournemouth, Poole and
Christchurch area did on
Saturday night 16th October.
Sleep Easy is a National YMCA
initiative that has raised over £1.5m
since 2010. Sheena Dayman, the
Events Manager at YMCA
Bournemouth, has co-ordinated
businesses and local Schools over
the last three years to actively get
involved.
In 2019, 460 students raised almost £25K, and local businesses raised £45K.
Last year it was curtailed due to Covid but businesses, and many individuals, still took part in
their own gardens. Sheena has always been supported at various by volunteers. In 2017 it
was Cady who was doing an MA at Bournemouth University; 2018/19 Federica from Italy and
Alverro from Spain, and Chaida from Mayott in 2020. This year Arianna from Italy was
involved in the complete process including the designing of Sheena’s house that had an Italian
theme.
The participants on Saturday 16th October 2021 gave up their bed for a night and slept in
cardboard boxes, raising invaluable awareness as well as funds for YMCA to continue their
quest in ending homelessness. Unlike those who are homeless, the individuals on Saturday
evening did this with friends, in a safe and secure place and only for one night. One of the
box sponsors, Mark Benham, Partner and Head of Real Estate at Lester Aldridge, said “YMCA
Bournemouth is an integral part of our community and by taking part in this event we are
helping the change the local social landscape.”.
Homelessness continues to be on the increase, the statistics are shocking. Life expectancy for
females on the streets is reduced by up to 30 years!
And it’s not just about sleeping on the streets, there are also many people who are
sofa-surfing and have no safe place to call home. YMCA’s mission has always been to provide
that safe place…home. YMCA passionately believes that everyone should have a secure place
to call home, and its local work/impact is focused on this aim.
Sheena Dayman commented, “We do so much more than just give
people a roof over their heads, although we
do that very well. We give our
residents invaluable one-to-one
support and the life skills/tools to move
forward gaining independent living. We
change lives….”
Sheena’s shelter was aptly named
‘House of Joy’, another reminder that
YMCA aim to bring lasting JOY to those
they support locally in our community.
The need for the YMCA, and agencies
like them, continues to be great.

7. FINDING JOY AT 26.2 MILES
My London Marathon - by Sheena
I have worked at YMCA for 16 years and organised many
fundraisers. These have included; Indian food evenings, Scottish
dancing nights, quiz nights, golf days, parachute jumps and a
team of 56 people taking part in the Bournemouth Marathon at
various distances including children. In all of these instances I was
a ‘spectator’ at the events. My biggest challenge this year was the
Virtual London Marathon. Being virtual meant it was also GLOBAL.
I managed a team of 50 people from Australia, France, London,
Salisbury, Portsmouth, 8 soldiers from Tidworth Barracks and 15
from the local area. Due to illness from Covid and other factors
this number was reduced to 35. However, that was the easy part,
I signed up to walk the 26.2 miles. Leading from the front was my
motto! My training started in March and I slowly went from 2
miles to 22 miles three weeks before the event.
I was amazed as I passed each new stage of the training and was
soon looking forward to the 10 mile walks along the stunning
beach at Bournemouth. My preparations were thorough as I
consulted with other running friends and family who had
completed marathons. The correct; clothes, knee and back
supports, eating plan, when and what to drink. I did some training
with a few friends and had a plan sorted for the day. However again due to illness, pregnancy and
Covid my support team diminished and the majority of my training was on my own.
The rules allowed the walk or run to be done in 24 hours and although at the beginning I had thought
about 12 hours, my target was soon down to 10 hours. My planned route also changed several times
but eventually I had a route that started from my front door and ended in Poole Park, taking in beautiful
parts of the area; Christchurch Priory, Hengistbury Head then the 7 miles of golden sand. However a
last minute change in the weather meant a re route to avoid the severe wind.
The day started well as planned and I was pleased to have 3 supporters at mile 9 topping me up with
water and encouragement, and a JOY banner. The next 3 miles took me to the beach area and I was
ahead of schedule, however my London Marathon App had stopped at 9.8miles. My heart sank as this
was my worst nightmare the technology may let me down. I was refuelled and met by another friend
who walked another 3 miles with me but I felt physically sick that I may not get a medal. My friend
then appeared again with the JOY banner, I kept going. I then met Elaine and we kept going for
another 5 miles, during which time it rained very heavily, I had to remove a layer of clothes as I was
still feeling a bit sick and hot. Another friend had joined for 3 miles and she metaphorically pulled us
up the hill at Lilliput overlooking the stormy sea! We sang our way to the top and I now knew I could
do this. On arrival in Poole Park I was met again by my friend with the JOY banner, my husband and
my colleagues . My app still recorded 9.8 miles although it was still functioning. I still had 5 or 6 miles
to go and this was completed with my colleague Kassie walking the last 5.9 miles, while being joined
by Martin my line manger for 1 mile and another colleague Jason for 1 mile. This was such an
encouragement and was team work at its best. I finally crossed the line in 9 hours 58 minutes ( I
think) nobody noticed the time it was just good to be finished. The ‘ official photo’ showed me wearing
my JOY banner.
I personally have raised over £1600 and collectively over £13K. It now turns out that to ensure I had
done enough I had walked 27.6 miles. I had to contact the LM re the app and I am still waiting to
hear if I get a medal. However JOY at the end was medal enough for me.
A favourite bible verse of mine is ‘ The Joy of the lord is my strength’ I proved it on the Marathon
Sheen Dayman – Events Manager YMCA Bournemouth, and official marathon finisher.