New manager takes over at community support hub

A NEW manager has taken over at the Hub community support charity in Goring.

Niki Chessher lives in Pangbourne with her husband John, a finance lecturer at the Henley Business School and Reading University, and their three children.

She has a background in management consultancy and has spent many years abroad, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Spain.

She recently completed a master’s degree in psychology and neuroscience of mental health at King’s College London.

The Hub, which is run by the Q1 Foundation and based in the Arcade, off High Street, provides people in hardship with support as diverse as benefits applications, accessing care for a loved one, food bank referrals and activities to help overcome isolation and improve wellbeing.

Mrs Chessher said that when she applied to be a volunteer she was told that then manager Claire Rhodes was leaving and she was asked to take over. She said: “They do such important work here and I am so pleased to be a part of it. Goring is such a great community.

“We already do have lots of amazing stuff and I have some ideas for long-term initiatives.

“I would quite like to host voluntary sessions on mindfulness training and have bereavement groups and talk groups about neuroscience and learning about the brain.”

Melanie Meads, founder and a trustee of the charity, said: “The Hub started about three years ago as an emergency response to the pandemic.

“At the heart of it is battling isolation and loneliness. With social isolation as a result of covid, people’s confidence really decreased.

“The elderly were on such a rollercoaster with dementia increasing hugely as people were just missing that really important social engagement. By providing a space, it gives people somewhere to come with no pressure to stay or do anything in particular.

“Our volunteers are fabulous and they get as much from it as they give. We have about 10 regulars and 30 overall.

“We want to support people in the local community with their natural resilience and rebuild their confidence.”

She said internet literacy was a particular issue, adding: “It is a new form of social isolation, especially with scams — they have got so complex now that it’s something we all need to be conscious of.

“The older members of our community have lost a lot of their confidence because of it.

“So much is online now with benefits, taxes and contracts, it makes things really difficult for people.

“We have been providing a lot of support for people going through that experience.”

Mrs Meads said she hoped the charity would work with Dementia Oxfordshire following a discussion group with input from a Parkinson's group and a carers group.

“Hopefully this is something which will get started later in the year,” she said. “It’s still in the very early stages but something which is really needed.”

Mrs Chessher added: “Dementia can be compared to being in a room where everyone is speaking in a foreign language as you’re struggling to understand.”

The Hub will be holding a series of event to raise funds.

On June 24 there be a cake sale and on October 13 there will be a charity race night at Goring and Streatley Golf Club.

Fundraisers will be taking part in a tandem skydive on September 16.

The Hub is open from 10am to 2pm on weekdays and also on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving/thehubbtg