SOAPY Programme
Although the charity is run by a Board of Trustee Directors, paid members of staff are employed to run the SOAPY (Supporting Ockendon’s Adults, Pensioners & Youngsters) Programme.
Staff Members:
Jan Kellythorn (Programme Manager) - Full-time
Jane Norman (Community Development Worker) - Full-time
Janet Crouch (Administrative Assistant) - Part-time
James Odeku (Sports/Healthy Activities Ranger) - Part-time
We’re now in our final year of our SOAPY Programme, a four year project funded by the Big Lottery Fund. The aim of the SOAPY Programme is to ‘clean up’ areas of health, the environment and social issues. With this in mind, we came up with a number of ‘soapy’ themed initiatives:
SOAPBOX - The Forum’s busy information and advice centre in Derwent Parade, incorporating a communication network, including our quarterly community newsletter 'Reflect' and this website.
SOAPBAR - Using our existing community minibus, staff and volunteers have been visiting peripheral parts of our estates during the day and the parks and meeting points for youngsters during the evenings. This enables us to engage with previously inaccessible members of the community.
SUDs (Safe Untroubled Deliveries) - A programme of basic training to include safer driver awareness and a range of health, educational, employment and recreational skills training, etc.
BUBBLES - This is a range of social community events including our Christmas Lighting-up Ceremonies, our annual Party in the Park, Music Events, etc.
REFLECTIONS - Activities to promote environmental awareness.
GLOSS & GLOW - Regular health promotion events allowing access to a variety of professionals and experienced volunteers, fun workshops, etc.