THE vice-chair of Westbury resident-led community group, Popcan, has joined the town’s new team of outreach youth workers.
Sam Shore, who is a qualified youth worker, instigated Popcan’s work alongside 4Youth (previously Young Melksham).
Funding was then secured for the service from Westbury Town Council, Wiltshire Council and Community First, Tina Devereux from Popcan told Westbury Area Board members at their latest meeting.
“4Youth South West has been set up and Sam is now deployed as a detached youth worker working alongside Caroline May, and they started on 21st January,” said Tina.
Presenting the update of Popcan’s work since the last board meeting, Tina said though progress had not been made with much pace due to Covid, the group had been building relationships via the internet and making good connections with people.
“We’ve been approached by Selwood Housing who want to now get involved with Popcan, so we’re looking forward to developing new ideas with them,” she said.
Selwood Housing, along with Sovereign Housing, have previously donated funding towards Popcan’s POP UP Fun Day events at Penleigh Recreational Park. Selwood’s community team has now offered to help the group by engaging with them to continue to move forward with Popcan.
Tina later told White Horse News, “We are so pleased that Selwood are now involved, they have many tenants who could enjoy being part of a local community group. We are always looking for new members who have an interest in the local community.”
Tina also told area board members town councillor cllr Sheila Kimmins had been appointed the new chair of Popcan. “She has taken up the role and we’re working really hard with Sheila to get things moving along”, Tina said.
Initially, Popcan was set up by Sovereign Housing’s community development officer, Scott Jacobs-Lange, over three years ago. Many partners were invited to join in with the newly formed community group and those that came on board included cllr Kimmins.
Tina later added, “When Scott Jacobs-Lange departed from Sovereign, we felt we needed some extra support left by the gap of him leaving.
“It was discussed amongst the group who we would like to join us and help support Popcan going forward. After Sheila had been a very supportive partner, at our AGM in October 2020, members asked Sheila if she would consider joining. We asked Sheila would she like to be chair and she kindly agreed.
“The other roles were also voted in, Sam Shore – vice chair, Brian Smith – treasurer and myself Tina Devereux – secretary.
“With thanks to Sheila, her experience and knowledge, we feel we are still continuing in the right direction with Popcan. We are all working on an equal footing to do the best for our local community in Westbury. Covid has stopped many opportunities but hopefully we can continue again soon with organising some community events. We are very grateful for Sheila taking on this role.
“Scott Jacobs-Lange’s departing gift was to make a great connection within Selwood Housing who are now well and truly onboard and participating in our bi-monthly partners’ meetings with Sovereign Housing. They are very keen and interested in engaging more of their tenants from Oldfield and Penleigh Park within Popcan, we want representations from these areas to get involved too.”
At the area board meeting Tina continued, “Once all the Covid stuff has been sorted out we’re hoping to start our drop-in sessions at the community centre on the first Tuesday of every month, and we’re going to organise an event called ‘Get It Off Your Chest’, so we’ll have a chest there that people can drop in their concerns or queries and we’ll try to help them get to the right people that could help them.”
Tina told the meeting there was a large stock of school uniforms left over from the last pass it on event for anyone who needed one.
The annual Popcan fun day event won’t be taking place this year due to Covid.
Area board chair, Carole King, said, “It’s nice to hear that Selwood are getting on board as well.”
