Tag: COVID-19

Posted on by

December Newsletter

Hello,

As the days get shorter and colder, we hope our monthly NW7hub and Mill Hill Library update will provide some light and seasonal cheer. 

First off, we’re very excited to share our first ever ‘Virtual Winter Fair’, so if you’re still searching for presents for family and friends then look no further. Head over to our Facebook page to explore the wonderful local businesses being showcased.

We’re also pleased to announce that pre-booked PC sessions are now available at Mill Hill Partnership Library for internet access and printing/photocopying. For more information and timings, scroll down this email or check the website.

In January we will be saying goodbye to Phoebe, our Operations and Events Manager, who will be moving to a new job. We are sad to see her go and wish her all the best for her future. As she moves on, we are excited to be recruiting for a new position of Charity Manager at NW7hub. If this could be you, or you know someone who would be a great fit, then read on.

The holidays ahead will hopefully be a much needed break for many. Unfortunately it will also be a difficult time for lots of people as an increasing number of people struggling with access to food. Because of this we are expanding our opening hours over the holidays – please see below and share with anyone that may need it. Also, one of our volunteers has organised an incredible initiative to provide a Christmas Dinner (sprouts and all) to those who use our foodbank, so please scroll down for more information and ways you can help and support.

Stay well and seasons greetings from all of us at NW7hub

Presenting our Virtual Winter Fair

Still haven’t bought any presents? We’ve got you sorted!
Our first ever Virtual Winter Fair
As the lockdown saying goes, all great things must go online! And the NW7hub Winter Fair is no exception. Over the next month, we will be showcasing some of the wonderful local artists and talent that surround us in Barnet.

Follow us on Facebook to support local businesses and for a chance to buy some truly unique gifts! Keep an eye out for anything that takes your fancy and get in touch with the sellers directly. 

Help through the letterbox
We’ve also recently launched another project on Facebook called Help through the letterbox. This page is a place to share and celebrate the positive changes and memories from lockdown. Have you picked up a new skills, or witnessed wonderful community spirit? We’d love to hear the small or large, silly or heartfelt stories or photographs from your last few months. 

Library Update

Public PCs set up with social distancing
Library PCs available for pre-booked use
We are pleased to now be one of the Barnet Libraries offering pre-booked sessions on the public PCs to our library customers, for using the internet and printing/photocopying. Our Library Manager and volunteers have done a wonderful job to make this possible in a safe way with socially distanced computers, hand sanitiser and regular cleaning.

45 minutes timeslots are available between 10m-1pm on Wednesday mornings and must be booked in advance over the phone (call 020 8359 3830 on Wednesday or Thursday between 10am to 5pm)

Holiday opening hours
The Select and Collect opening hours and PC use at Mill Hill Library will remain the same over the holidays. As a reminder, they are – 

Wednesday 10am-1pm (Select and Collect and pre-booked PC use)
Thursday 10am-1pm (Select and Collect only)

To see the opening hours of all Barnet Libraries, visit the website here: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/libraries/library-opening-times

We’re Recruiting! Could you be our new Charity Director?

NW7hub is seeking a part-time Charity Director to lead and manage the charity at an exciting and integral time for the charity’s development. Visit our website for the full Job Description and to apply: https://www.nw7hub.org.uk/get-involved/This opportunity would suit someone with the drive, vision and creative leadership to make a big impact for the community.

NW7hub Foodbank

Can you donate to Christmas at the Food Bank?
Already this year we have seen unbelievable generosity from the local community, with collections being arranged by whole streets and businesses. On top of this, one of our volunteers Saz is arranging a Christmas fundraiser – please share/forward this to anyone who may be interested!

Fundraiser for A Christmas Dinner 
Last year Saz ran a Community Christmas Lunch which was a huge success.

This year with the extra pressure on foodbanks Saz is volunteering at the NW7hub Foodbank to create a Christmas special – so families who need to use the food bank can still have some of the special things we enjoy this time of year. She’s even arranged loan of a fridge/freezer, so they can offer frozen turkey and fresh veg – a break from the cans and pasta!

If anyone’s able to donate, little or large, to help stock up – it’ll really help those most struggling at this time feel like they can enjoy the season too!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/mjhvd-christmas-dinner-for-all

The NW7hub foodbank is open to anybody who needs, no voucher or referral needed. It was setup during the first lockdown to help with the extra need. It’s open 10am – 1pm every Tuesday and Saturday and is quiet and confidential. If you know anyone who would benefit from it, please direct them here: https://www.nw7hub.org.uk/covid-19-support/

Extended Holiday Opening Hours 
We will be open more frequently than usual over the holidays to make sure those who need can access food during the school holidays. The opening times are below, and the foodbank will also be open 10am-1pm on Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December).

Posted on by

November Newsletter

Hello,

We are very pleased to be able to share a selection of new online events starting this week, so although we can’t meet in person, we’d love for you to join us online.

There’s a new bookclub, lots of social meet-ups and a CV writing workshop for anyone looking for a job or wanting to make a career move. Mill Hill Partnership Library is still offering the Select and Collect service during lockdown, thanks to the incredible work of our Library Manager and all the library volunteers, so head over to Barnet Libraries website to place your book requests. If you aren’t able to leave your home to pick up books, then the Home Library Service can offer a home visit to bring your items. 

The NW7hub Food Bank continues to offer food and essential items to those who need it. We are open Tuesday and Saturday (10am-1pm), so please come along if you are struggling during lockdown. We are also very gratefully accepting donations during these hours. The need for this service is increasing as we head into winter, so if you have any spare tins or packets of pasta (within their use by date) or can add some extra items to your weekly shop, please do drop them down.

Our Container Garden is still going strong, with a crop of edible winter plants kindly donated by Finchley Nurseries. We have more to share about the garden soon, so keep an eye out for more updates!Stay well and best wishes from all of us at NW7hub

Online Events – #StayAtHome2

Join us online with events every week 
Community Conversations online for #StayAtHome2 

We’ve teamed up with Colindale and Burnt Oak Mutual Aid groups to put on a weekly programme of online events, with everything from a friendly catch up to meditation. Look through the event programme above or get in touch for more details. Today we’re chatting about podcasts at 2pm!

Join us each week, or just drop in during lockdown. The events will take place on Google Meet or Discord. Email colindalemutualaid@gmail.com for an invite link to join. 

We’re also looking out for more hosts, and more event ideas, so let us know if you want to be involved!

Online Bookclub with The Reader

‘Shared Reading’ club with The Reader
 We are missing talking about books and reading books together, and as it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to do that in person for a while, we are starting a new Zoom reading group! We have teamed up with charity ‘The Reader’ who lead Shared Reading groups.

Shared Reading is a different way to enjoy great literature and to meet people. Instead of individual reading books at home, we all read the same short story/book together from our screens, pausing at intervals to discuss what we’ve read. With over 35 groups running in Barnet and over 500 around the country, it is hugely popular! We will start with short stories and poems, and then maybe choose novels to read together. Each Shared Reading Group is ‘stand alone’ so you can come whenever you are able to do so. 

Our Shared Reading Group will be run by Vivian, an experienced and trained Reader Leader who has led many Shared Reading groups in Barnet.

There will be 3 taster sessions this year, so do come along and try it out and see if you like it. We then hope to meet regularly in 2021 – perhaps even weekly! And hopefully in person before too long. 

Thursday 26 November 2020
Thursday 3 December 2020
Thursday 10 December 2020

All sessions running 2-3pm

Get in touch if you are interested in joining and we will pass your details on to Vivian. Shared Reading is open to everyone – you don’t need to bring anything with you (except maybe a cup of tea!). They are open to everyone, whether you love books or if you are not usually a great reader, so you’re welcome to invite your friends, family and neighbours.

CV Skills and Volunteering Online Workshop 

Tuesday 1st December, 2-3pm
Join us for a free online workshop to learn more about how volunteering can be useful for your career, how to find volunteering opportunities in Barnet and how to talk about your volunteering experience on your CV.

Don’t know how to find a good volunteering opportunity? Struggling to write about your volunteering experience in job applications?This workshop will include presentations from Boost, Volunteering Barnet, and recruiter Chris Raymond, followed by a Q&A.BOOST 
Boost is an employment, benefit advice, skills and wellbeing project, who provide support and advice to Barnet residents.

Volunteering Barnet 
Volunteering Barnet is the Borough’s accredited Volunteer Centre, and have been inspiring and supporting volunteers since 2015.

Chris Raymond
Chris Raymond is a recruiter who has worked with construction and IT professionals, accountants and salespeople. He is currently working as a Talent Partner in Fintech.

If you would like to join, sign up for FREE on the Eventbrite page.This workshop is part of Barnet Libraries online events programme. To see more events from other libraries, visit their website.

Posted on by

September Newsletter

Hello again!

It’s been a while since we last sent an update, and we’re happy to now share news about the library, foodbank and plans for the autumn. 

We have spent the last month putting COVID-19 safety measures in place and are pleased to share that the Mill Hill Partnership Library is now lending books again (in a very different COVID-secure way – more on this below). 

At the beginning of lockdown we started a foodbank to provide support in the local area. The generosity of local people and organisations has been incredible, and means that we can continue this service into the autumn. If you or anyone you know needs support, please check below for more information.

Many of our activities were suspended during lockdown or, in the case of Mill Hill Chill, moved online. We know that we’ve missed seeing people, and imagine you might too, so we are thinking hard about how we can come together this autumn. We’d love to hear your ideas, so do send us an email.

Stay well and best wishes from all of us at the NW7hub 

Mill Hill Partnership Library

Select and Collect
From this week, it is possible to borrow books and more from Mill Hill Partnership Library again, with the Barnet Libraries ‘Select and Collect’ service. It has been a success in other libraries, so we’re excited to start offering it here in Mill Hill.

The Select and Collect service means that you can borrow items while Barnet Libraries are still closed for browsing. Items need to be requested in advance (via phone, online or email) and then a notification will be sent when they are ready to collect from the front door of the library. 

There are two collection slots available, but please wait until you have been notified before turning up – we aren’t able to pick items for you if they haven’t been requested in advance. 

Wednesday 10am-1pm
Thursday 2pm-5pm

For more information about how Select and Collect works, and to request books and more, visit the Barnet Libraries website. 

Items can now also be returned, just drop them in the blue ‘Dropbox’ to the right of our front door.

There are a number of safety measures in place, and we ask that you abide by social distancing when picking up items, as well as wearing a mask (unless exempt) and sanitising your hands. The collection point is at the front entrance of the building. Please note, there is no access allowed to the building itself, including for toilets or PCs.

NW7hub Foodbank

Open to all who need it.
We are committed to continuing our Foodbank service into the autumn as the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop. We are open to all who need it, and do not require vouchers or referrals. If you are struggling financially and need essentials such as food and toiletries, drop in during our opening times.

Opening Times
We’ve updating our opening times, and are now open –
Tuesday 10am-1pm
Saturday 10am-1pm
Location

We have moved the Foodbank to a new room with more storage, still in the Mill Hill Library building on Hartley Avenue. When you arrive, please ring the doorbell to let us know you’re coming, and then walk down the right hand side of the building (past the fence) to the entrance at the back of the building.

Donations
We are anticipating a rise in demand over the coming months, and would be grateful for donations. At the moment we are in particular need of the following:Pasta sauceCurry sauceTinned meat/fishTinned soupTinned pulses eg chickpeasCooking oil (max 1ltr)PastaCoffeeBiscuitsTinned fruit and dessertsToilet rollSanitary products eg tamponsWashing detergent / soap powderDonations can be dropped off during opening hours, or we may be able to arrange a collection from your house. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Foodbank so far.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

We have put safety measures in place across the building. Please help us to stay safe by following these. Access to the building is for specific activities only, we are not open for general use.We are not offering any high-contact services, including photocopying and printing.If you are entering the building for an activity, it is compulsory to sanitise your hands and wear a mask (unless exempt). You must keep 1-2m apart at all times and contact details will be recorded for Test and Trace.Please do not visit the building if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.Thank you for helping us stay safe.