After a very worrying 2005, the project, under the direction of their new manager John Carr is progressing well. So many activities are now up and running again. School work with local primary schools is growing with the monthly after school club starting up again and a recent innovation is a lunch club. Pensioners continue to meet in Cornerstone and activities are planned each Wednesday afternoon to follow on from their lunch which include talks on local history, singing and bingo etc. About three times over the summer, the pensioners are taken out on bus trips which they thoroughly enjoy. A very pro-active Baby and Toddler group is run at Cornerstone and appears to be popular not only with children and their mothers but fathers and grandfathers also attend when they can. It is in fact so popular that there is now a waiting list. Each Friday a very aptly named 'Bytes and Bite' drop-in session is run by volunteers in which people are encouraged to develop their IT skills in a variety of ways. The two hour session is followed by food provided in the cafe, both hot and cold, at very reasonable prices.
The van is back in regular use again and Cornerstone are willing, once again to accept your bric-a-brac, clothing and furniture. Alan & Eirian have given their grand-children’s used clothing and toys to Cornerstone for over a decade now and they have been very much appreciated. It is more difficult to take furniture because Cornerstone do not have anywhere to store it, but if donors are willing to hold on to it for a couple of weeks, the project staff can usually find a home for it. John Carr's words in the recent Newsletter summarises it well "We are grateful for the regular donations of clothing, bedding and household items. These help us to meet some of the material needs of people in the area who call in looking for help and assistance. Please pray for those who come to us seeking both your material and spiritual support." My only real involvement now is claiming back the tax for them in respect of Gift Aid and this only involves checking bank statements once every couple of months then a big stint once a year... but it is good to help such a Christian project. I often get requests for their Telephone No. - Cornerstone 0191 2260941
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