CoLab

Good News!
A talented member of our CoLab Community, Stephen Carr, hosts his own radio show - tune in to enjoy his carefully curated beats!

Love Electronic, Electropop, or Club Classics?
Fancy some 80s/90s/00s dancefloor anthems and rare 12" remixes?

Tune in to The Carefully Curated Show with Stephen Carr
Next show: Tomorrow, 2-4pm on Phonic FM 106.8 FM & DAB+

Find out more: www.phonic.fm/programmes/the-carefully-curated-show/

Thank you to Exeter Science Centre for another fantastic Urban Learning Academy workshop last week! It’s always a pleasure to collaborate with organisations that share our passion for learning and community engagement. Stay tuned for more exciting events this Autumn - we hope to see you at the next one!

CoLab Women are delighted to welcome Rachel Griffiths and Rebecca Blackshaw to the team, following a new 3 year funding award from the Smallwood Trust.

This new project will help support women at risk of poverty and homelessness, helping them to budget and maximize their incomes.

The project will launch in late September. For more information contact [email protected]

We're looking for two individuals to join our Wellbeing Exeter & Cranbrook team and help build stronger, healthier communities. We're currently hiring for two impactful Community Connector roles:

- Community Based: Be the bridge between local residents and the support they need. You'll work directly within the community to foster connections, enhance wellbeing, and empower individuals.

- Welcome Role: Play a key role in welcoming and integrating new referrals, ensuring they feel connected and supported, developing relationships with referrers and service providers.

If you're ready to make a real impact and be part of a vibrant community-focused team, we want to hear from you!

See more on how to apply here: www.colabexeter.org.uk/current-vacancies

CoLab is thrilled to now offer volunteer time to our team. Community Connector Silvia shares her recent experience:

"As a working mother with a chronic illness, I find it difficult to find the time and energy to do any official volunteering in my time off work, so I was very happy when I found out that CoLab is now allowing us to dedicate some of our working hours to do just that.

I was keeping an eye out for occasional volunteering opportunities that suited me a few weeks ago, and I came across an email from Love Food CIC shouting out for volunteers to help in different ways to set up their new premises in Cowick St.

One of the tasks was to reproduce their logo on their wall in the next few days. I love painting and I happened to have a day without appointments coming soon. Perfect timing!

I contacted Maresa at Love Food CIC and we made agreements to meet and chat. I also met another lovely volunteer (with actual art experience!) and we discussed the way forward. The week after, I spent a whole day painting Love Food CIC’s logo on their wall by their ‘relax area’. The other volunteers helped by painting amazing veggie and fruit explosions on the other walls.

It was a lovely experience where I challenged myself. I had never painted on a wall before, but it was fun and perfect for someone who loves creative endeavors! Maresa was pleased with the results, and that’s what counts most, right?"

You can see all the lovely art work at Love Food CIC’s new premises, and check what’s on offer on their website: www.lovefoodcic.co.uk

Catch up on updates from Wellbeing Exeter & Cranbrook in their latest newsletter. This edition features a story from local resident Carol, showing the impact of local support services in improving wellbeing and fostering community connections.

Newsletter Covering West Exeter Here is the first edition of our new look newsletter covering Alphington, Exwick and St Thomas areas. You can read a bit about what our Community Builders, Connectors and Community Physical Activity Organisers do and get a feel for what is going on in those communities. Read more here.

CoLab is holding our Memory Tree event once again, now with the tree permanently displayed in the CoLab garden. This installation serves as a quiet and meaningful place for our community to remember and honour those we've lost.

We invite you to join us next week on Wednesday 14th August at 1.30pm to inscribe a name in memory of a loved one on a wooden leaf and add it to the tree.

Adult Learners had a fun time at the ULA’s "Design Your Own Eco Notebook" workshop at FabLab Devon. Participants got hands-on with 2D vector-based design using the open-source software Inkscape, guided by Marcus Brown (Digital Making Tutor).

Everyone created unique designs that were laser-engraved onto eco-friendly bamboo notebooks with recycled lined pages sourced by Marcus. The results were these beautiful creations!

More events like this to come, stay tuned on the ULA website: www.urbanlearningacademy.org.uk/courses

Last week, we switched up our monthly Hub Breakfast for an afternoon cream tea instead! This is one of the many perks of partnership working and co-locating teams at CoLab! Tensions were high with the 'cream or jam first' debate, but the consensus was it was a lovely afternoon to take a moment away from our desks to connect with each other and catch up.

Take a look at the last pic for the results!

The ULA’s recent workshop at Positive Light Projects was a fantastic experience! Adult Learners used the Pelican Printing Press and antique wooden letterpress to create unique, personal artworks. From posters to graphic prints, they brought their ideas to life. A huge thank you to everyone who came and shared their creativity with us!

www.urbanlearningacademy.org.uk/courses

CoLab have teamed up with Exeter Scrapstore & community artist Jola Pawlikowska on an interesting project that asks participants to think outside the box, and get creative with what they find.

Each participant will be given a basket to fill from the unusual contents of the scrapstore. The group will then move to CoLab and either individually or in groups create a piece of art, sculpture, or performance art, using the theme of “Cost of Living” using only the pieces they have collected.

Are you up for the challenge? Join us on Monday!
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scrapstore-scavenger-hunt-tickets-925153177057?aff=oddtdtcreator

Following a recent workshop which explored issues for women at risk of sexual exploitation in urban areas, the CoLab Women team delivered a follow up session on Friday 26th July in North Devon, exploring issues for rural communities.

They worked with an amazing group of 16 participants from across the sector who were all committed to improving support for women at risk of this hidden and misunderstood form of abuse. This is part of CoLab’s ‘Out of the Shadows’ work which aims to improve responses to women who are at risk of sexual exploitation through prostitution and this is one of a range of training events taking place across Devon over the summer and autumn.

This is an often overlooked and misunderstood issue, but whether in an urban or rural environment, the need for improved understanding and access to support is huge.

Some participant feedback from the event:
“[The workshop] really opened my eyes and I’ve learned so much that I can take back to my workplace.”
“A great range of activities and well-paced.”
”We want to set up a network so that we can keep learning and supporting each other after today.”

More online seminars will be announced shortly. For more information, please see our website: www.colabexeter.org.uk

Our latest Lunch & Learn session in the CoLab Garden was a blast! Colleagues got creative and had a fantastic time learning how to make delicious mocktails. Cheers to new skills, great company, and building relationships!

CoLab, in partnership with Co Create Exeter and the Urban Learning Academy, is thrilled to unveil our Memory Tree, now permanently displayed in the CoLab garden. This beautiful installation is a place where we can remember and honour those in our community who are no longer with us.

We invited everyone to join us and learn pyrography skills to scribe a name in someone's memory onto a wooden leaf to add to the tree. Thank you for helping us create lasting memories.

Our adult learners had an amazing time exploring the world of aromatic plants, flowers, and herbs in the Urban Learning Academy’s Aroma Roam workshop a couple of weeks ago. It was fascinating to see how aromas can influence our senses and wellbeing. Essential oils inspired memories, emotions, and ideas, and learners crafted unique fragrances to take home.

Find more courses here: www.urbanlearningacademy.org.uk/courses

Matt and Tascha, our Community Mental Health Development Leads for Exeter, East & Mid Devon, recently ran a Creative Solutions event for anyone in the Axminster area who supports individuals with mental health needs.

On Wednesday 26th June 2024, 24 representatives from 16 different organisations came together at Pippins Community Centre to talk about mental health support in Axminster.

The group gathered to explore what is going well and where things could be improved, as well as discussing demographics of individuals who are not being provided the help they need. Matt and Tascha also wanted everyone to think about one big idea for changing the context of mental health support in Axminster.

Together they recognised that a subject of interest is a “wellbeing event” for Axminster so they discussed what this could look like. From treasure trails and open doors, to resource packages and wellbeing weeks, they really enjoyed the enthusiasm and passion which came through the community who attended.

Both Matt and Tascha were really pleased with and excited about the energy in the room and the trust that was communicated. It was a big encouragement to potentially having a “Wellbeing Event/Day/Week” in Axminster and they are excited to see what the future may hold.

Thank you to The Community Waffle House for helping to gather a community of individuals in this space and to Pippins Community Centre for providing the space.

Last month, our Learning Lead Jo Cuthbertson had the pleasure of presenting the Community Learning Award to Si Egan at the Exeter College Adult Celebration Event! Staff and Learners gathered at Exeter Castle for a night of celebrations. This award honours Si's remarkable journey in Creative Writing classes.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to have Si coming along to my Creative Writing classes for the last couple of years and to be able to witness his confidence growing with each session. I have loved hearing him share his work and I have basked in the reflected glow of the group!” - Creative Writing Tutor

Congratulations to Si on this wonderful achievement!

Celebrating the amazing work from our adult learners at a recent ULA Nature Embroidery Workshop! Whether a pro or a newbie, this event was all about creativity and learning. Our adult learners worked on beautiful projects inspired by springtime colours, leaves, and flowers. Each week brought new ideas, skills, and a lot of fun in a safe and friendly space.

A couple of weeks ago, we were joined by two University of Exeter students as
part of their "Pathways to Charity and Development Programme". These two students, Annabee and Martha, spent a week working at CoLab supporting us in developing a proposal for introducing a volunteering scheme.

Martha and Annabee met with organisations that are based in CoLab to find out what volunteering opportunities they have. They also met with two lived experience groups to listen to the sort of volunteering people would be interested in, learned from experienced volunteer managers across Devon, and researched useful tools, policies, and structures used to support volunteering schemes.

Annabee and Martha blew us away with the report and presentation they created to compile everything they learned throughout the week. They are a huge credit to University of Exeter and the Pathways Programme and what they have produced will make a significant impact in us getting volunteers involved in the life of CoLab more consistently again.

A big thank you to Carly and Emily for arranging this.

One of the students shared this about her time in CoLab, "I thoroughly enjoyed being in the space, meeting such lovely and interesting people, and getting to work on something that could make a real positive impact."

Join Our Team! We're looking for a compassionate and proactive Community Mental Health Lead to nurture collaboration and champion community-led mental health initiatives in Exeter. Be part of a unique multi-agency team and make a real and lasting impact.

Find out more about this role and how to apply: https://www.colabexeter.org.uk/community-mental-health-lead

Last Friday, the team successfully completed their incredible 500 mile journey from Exeter to Amsterdam! After 5 days of intense cycling, they reached Amsterdam at 7:30pm.

A massive congratulations to the 500 in 5 team on this amazing effort!

It’s not too late to donate - the funds raised will contribute to the creation of a Women’s Centre in Exeter, providing a safe and nurturing environment for women in need. The team have raised nearly £2000 so far. Thank you to everyone for their support.

Their journey may have ended but the mission continues! Help us to keep spreading the word about the cause. Donation link: https://gofund.me/0ccf8dd6

It’s Day 3 of the cycle. The team have already covered 200 miles of the 500 mile journey. You can follow the rest of their journey here: 500 in 5

Please continue to spread the word and help the team reach their fundraising goal. Every contribution makes a difference! Donate here: https://gofund.me/0ccf8dd6

Exciting News! Our Community Mental Health Development Leads recently helped launch the Exeter Community Health and Wellbeing Alliance. This alliance connects 22 organizations in health, wellbeing, and social care to support one another and work together for a healthier Exeter.

Big thanks to Devon Mental Health Alliance and Exeter City Community Trust for making this event happen.

Read more about the day here: https://www.colabexeter.org.uk/latest-news

Today marks the first day of the cycle!

Our Trustee Seb and his 3 friends set off from CoLab this morning with the intention of travelling 500 miles in 5 days, ending their journey in Amsterdam. All of this is in aid of establishing a Women’s Centre in Exeter, a vital project that will provide essential support and resources to women in our community.

Please help us raise awareness for their hard work this week by donating or sharing their journey and spreading the word. Together, we can make a difference!

DONATE HERE: https://gofund.me/0ccf8dd6

Next week, from 1st-5th July, our Trustee Seb and three friends are cycling 500 miles from CoLab to Amsterdam to raise funds for a Women's Centre in Exeter.

We need our community's support! Please donate if you are able or continue to spread the word by sharing this post.

The link to donate is here: https://gofund.me/0ccf8dd6

This incredible journey is more than just a ride; it's a push to raise essential funds and awareness for a cause that will support countless women in our community. We are incredibly thankful to have such a dedicated group leading the way with their fundraising efforts. Together, we can make this vision a reality.

Join our thriving and rapidly developing community at CoLab! We are seeking to appoint a Hub Administrator to be a primary point of contact for the charity and provide vital administrative support. We're looking for someone with a can-do attitude, excellent communication skills, and the ability to prioritize a varied workload. Find out more about the role and how to apply here: https://www.colabexeter.org.uk/hub-administrator

A beautiful creation from one of our adult learners in the Urban Learning Academy ’s How to Love Yourself Workshop. There are still many courses available, see the ULA website for details: https://www.urbanlearningacademy.org.uk/courses

CoLab, in partnership with Co Create Exeter, has created a memory tree that will be permanently displayed in the CoLab garden. This will be a place where we can remember those in our community that are no longer with us.

We are inviting people to come and learn pyrography skills to scribe a name in someone’s memory onto a wooden leaf to add the memory tree.

Join us on Thursday 4th July between 11am-3pm at CoLab. Light refreshments will be provided.

Earlier this week, Jo Cuthbertson and Matt Merriam went to the University of Exeter to give a lecture on "Practicing Partnership: Challenges & Success in the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector".

They spoke to 27 students that were on the Pathways to Charity & Development Programme about CoLab, its history, and working in partnership with other organisations. The students explored with them the challenges of working in partnerships/alliances and the benefits of collaboration and relationship-centred practice.

Two of these students will be joining us in CoLab next week as part of their internship with the Pathways Programme to help us design a plan for establishing sustainable and effective volunteering here at CoLab.