We sincerely hope that this newsletter finds you, your loved ones and neighbours well and coping as well as possible.

As you know, our aim has always been to stage some kind of community event. We have to be optimistic that something will be possible before the end of the year but it goes without saying that everyone’s safety remains the priority and so, in the meantime, we’ll continue to support the community in whatever way we can.

In addition to the many invaluable local initiatives that have been so important recently we’d like to draw your attention the following. I hope you agree, that the most potent initiatives leading to societal change often start at ground level (quite literally in the first two cases) – and we need them now.

My Yard

“Remove the stigma and let’s take a bag to someone we know would never ask!”

My Yard reduces food waste by rescuing food from surplus and shares it with those most in need locally via community cafes and surplus food markets on a free or pay as you feel basis and they are trying to get something started here in Bushey.

The idea is that we all look out for our friends and neighbours and meet to share fresh items and more to get to know each other and make sure no one in our community is isolated and needs something as basic as food.

Neighbouring groups of young people, such as in Harrow, have established and planted vegetables and learnt how to cook healthy meals through cooking lessons. In Watford, My Yard has recently been awarded funding to develop their allotment in Windmill Lane will be offering classes in growing and preparing food. They would also like to find those who can help get surplus food to those Bushey Residents we know are suffering in silence for so many reason.

If interested in getting involved, or have suggestions to help get this started please contact Audrey or Rachel on hey@myyard.co.uk

The Green OT – Michelle Gersh – is inviting people to take part in one of two focus groups.

Re: Community Focus Group Meetings:
‘Growing a Creative Community in Bushey & Oxhey’

Focus Group Meeting 1 Invitation Details

Topic: Green Connections Community Interest Company (CIC) Zoom Meeting

Time: Sep 17, 2020 8:00 – 9 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/9202125584?pwd=OXdjb0NRdy9XRTJ5NG5YektWU1lIQT09

Meeting ID: 920 212 5584

Passcode: 0AmMZC

Focus Group Meeting 2 Invitation Details

Topic: Green Connections Community Interest Company (CIC) Zoom Meeting

Time: Sep 24, 2020 8:00 – 9 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/9202125584?pwd=OXdjb0NRdy9XRTJ5NG5YektWU1lIQT09

Meeting ID: 920 212 5584

Passcode: 0AmMZC

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE – Register to be an Organ Donor!

Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care UK in collaboration with NHS England have initiated a public awareness campaign to encourage and promote organ donation. Organ donation remains an act of great generosity and compassion and you can save up to nine lives with your one decision.

The organ donation law changed in England on 20th May 2020 to an ‘opt out system’. This means that all adults in England will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

Every day across UK someone dies waiting for an organ transplant. But only 1% of people die in a way that would allow them to donate.

This acute shortage of donors in UK is attributed to several reasons; whether unfounded fears about the organ donation process itself, or the large number of the population who subscribe to the myth that they are too old to donate their organs, or simply because it is a subject that is not widely discussed amongst family and friends.

Record your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Tell your family and friends what you have decided.

https://youtu.be/or85cmsk7qM

‘Support Our Superheroes Campaign Reaches 11,500 Key Workers’

What started as a heartfelt offering of gratitude to NHS workers from the Bushey-based charity, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur UK grew to an overwhelming outpouring of love and appreciation from communities and individuals across London and Herts regions to all the selfless key workers working tirelessly during the coronavirus lockdown.

Gratitude Packs filled with treats and snacks under the ‘Support Our Superheroes’ project incredibly reached over 11,500 key workers over a 10-week period. Volunteers of Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care UK personally visited over 830 individual locations including hospitals, care homes, pharmacies, supermarkets, train stations, schools and many more, bringing a ray of sunshine to those on the frontline by distributing over 1,100 Gratitude Packs and 3,300 handwritten Gratitude Cards.

As part of the Superheroes initiative, a lasting legacy of gratitude for keyworkers has also been created on social media with the #GreatWallofGratitude on Instagram @support.our.superheroes, where hundreds of people around the country continue to add their messages, videos and images of appreciation. This unique project has also attracted coverage on BBC Radio London.

To watch a video of the project’s journey visit https://youtu.be/zD8qtaPnH3k.

Photos and videos that beautifully capture the heart-warming journey of the Support Our Superheroes campaign can be found at https://supportoursuperheroes.com/our-journey – it is an inspiring snapshot of the community spirit of gratitude that has characterised this pandemic at the local neighbourhood level.

Volunteers Needed

St James’s Church is desperate for volunteers to act as ‘Meeters and Greeters’ for church opening on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9.30 to 11am. You don’t have to be a churchgoer.

Contact: 020 8421 8192
office@busheyparish.org