This page serves as a newsletter for Our Free Minds’ members and their families. We aim to update it termly.
We received our new shelving unit for the shipping container at the end of October. The bench cushions are also completed. The space is looking really quite cosy now.
Hannah and Guy volunteered their time over the half term break to reorganise the resources so that we could empty the storage cupboard for the scouts and move all our belongings into our shipping container. The next step will be to design and build a desk with more storage underneath.
Our Arts Award students have got off to a brilliant start with their projects - from storybook illustration to textile design and exhibition planning. We currently have one space available on our programme - we can offer either Bronze or Silver Award (level 1 or 2 equivalent).
We also plan to train for the next level in 2025 so that we would be able to offer Gold level (level 3 equivalent). For more information, please see:the Arts Award page
One of our teen members, Eva, is organising a community art exhibition as part of her Silver Arts Award qualification. The theme is Music and the Concept of the Self. Exhibitors range from 13 to 77 years of age and from all over the country and beyond. Please save the date she would be thrilled to see you, your families and friends. There will be snacks, as well as opportunities to get creative on the day.
A local theatre who does plays for children will come to the Scout Hut on 19th December to perform The Snow Queen for us. We are going to make that afternoon our Christmas party with the play as a highlight.
All are welcome, whether you are attending the session or not that day. It is a family and fundraising event at the same time, since the money remaining after we pay the theatre will be treated as funds raised for OFM. We thank you for your support!
Please RSVP with Sze Wai if you haven’t yet.
We had a lovely evening of fancy dress, spooky touchy feely boxes, apple bobbing, sweet dipping, hanging-donut eating and a delicious feast on Thursday 31st October. As always we enjoy finding opportunities to bring our community together and to give parents a chance to get to know each other. Thank you for coming and for sharing so many yummy treats!
The fireworks event at the Burbage Scout Hut on the 2nd November was a big success. We hope to match or even exceed the £950 we raised for OFM at last year’s event. This is a huge achievement given that the profits are shared between 5 local charities. A big thank you to all the families who came and tirelessly worked on the BBQ and Sweets and Treats stalls or helped with setting up or tidying at the end of a long night - and to those who came and attended, spent their pennies and shared their warm smiles.
Our current fundraising goals are to save for a new home. We have been using easyfundraising to raise funds. Once you sign up with easyfundraising and choose Our Free Minds CIO as your supported cause, the retailers will donate part of what you spend to us. It won't cost you any extra. Please sign up and share the link with your friends - https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/our-free-minds/ . We've raised over £957 through easyfundraising as of 5 November 2024.
For people who prefer to donate goods rather than cash, we created a "wishlist" on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/0xIVJjw. Please share it with family or friends, or to donate something yourselves. Thank you!
Thank you also to David Norris (a member’s parent) who has agreed to lead our fundraising efforts. We will update you with our plans in time.
We are recruiting for one more trustee or task force leader: especially those who are able to specialise in finding investors to support us in our hunt for a permanent home. Please contact us at info@ourfreeminds.org if you would like to be considered for any of these positions.
We're looking at ways we could expand our teen offering. We're aware that for many people, there can be a shift around the age of 11 to 14 towards a more goal oriented approach to life and learning. In recognition and support of this, this year we've registered as an arts award Centre. We're also looking at other ways in which we can create more consent based opportunities for this age group. If you have any thoughts or ideas, we would appreciate your input via the WhatsApp group "Teen Offering" which can be found within the Our Free Minds what's app community.
We are working currently on finalising our CIO Annual Report in time for the deadline later this month. The accounts have been submitted for Independent Examination. We will also be sharing our Trustees Annual Report for the period 15.11.22 to 25.01.24 so watch this space!
Apart from the above official roles, there are endless other ways you can help us: offering skill share sessions, administration, marketing, financial advice, legal advice, provision of storage for our resources, fundraising, looking for a permanent location or other resources, business management, etc.
If you are (or if you know anyone who is) happy to contribute in any of these or other areas, please get in touch!