Bassetlaw Action Centre (BAC) recently played host to a number of dignitaries, including Lord-Lieutenant Veronica Pickering and celebrity Reverend Kate Bottley, to celebrate completing 30 years of helping their local community.
At the event presenter Howard Bradley from LS14 spoke about the difference made to over a quarter of a million people who had been in touch with BAC saying “What struck me most about the afternoon was the warmth, pride, and shared sense of purpose as people came together to celebrate Bassetlaw Action Centre. Great food and great fun and hearing directly from people whose lives have been shaped by the work made it clear that this organisation is not only reflecting on an impressive past, but is well placed for the next 30 years as well.”
A touching video was shown where one client explained how BAC helped with her loneliness after her husband died and saying that she wouldn’t have known what to do without it, while in another a user of the Bassetlaw Community Car Scheme described the difference it made in her life.
Bassetlaw Action Centre began in 1996 with just 2.5 full time staff and over the years has grown to include 36 staff members and a large number of volunteers. Over the years it has increased its services from a Community Car Scheme to adding in minibus trips, providing support in the home and when people have just left hospital, befriending, housing and benefit advice, and running courses on managing long term conditions.
For several years BAC ran a popular Community Café at The Butter Market in Retford, providing nourishing food at a reasonable price, along with craft activities, education on available services, seated exercise, and advice and guidance. They have trained people on typing and computer use, helped people exercise healthily and assisted people who have had a stroke.
One thing that has never changed is their commitment to helping local residents. CEO Lynn Tupling says “I could write a book about all of the people that we have helped over the years and the number of different workstreams we have developed to meet the individual needs of local people. None of this would have been possible without the exceptional professionalism and dedication of the staff and volunteers and it is an absolute privilege to have each of them in our team.”
One attendee at the event said “From small acorns huge trees grow – what a fantastic 30 years of growth, bringing help and support to everyone who needs it.”
The event also celebrated the long service of many staff and volunteers, with a large number having been there for over 10 years and some reaching the 20-year milestone, the longest serving staff member having clocked up 28 years. One of the 20-year crew, Preventative Services Manager Jayne Bullock, said “I’m proud to have served Bassetlaw Action Centre for 20 years. When I joined, it was a small organisation, and I’m honoured to have helped it grow into a Countywide-reach — always keeping the people we support at the heart of everything we do.”
Bassetlaw Action Centre continues to need volunteers in a number of roles in order to provide different services. Anyone who is interested, or who feels they would benefit from assistance, should visit www.bassetlawactioncentre.org.uk email enquiries@actioncentre.org.uk or call 01777 709650 to find out more.