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Debbie Young
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Debbie runs the Volunteer rota for the local community shop. The shop is open from 07.3- 13.00 all week with extra hours on Thursdays until 7pm. Full training is given to all volunteers and more volunteers are welcome, if you want to volunteer contact Debbie on Cllr.debbie.young@stroud.gov.uk   Debbie spent the day at the Co-op in Cainscross raising money for the Great Western Air Ambulance. Pictured here with Charlie, the Critical Care Bear, they also visited the local nursery. Our Air Ambulance is totally funded by donations and it costs £6 to fly one mile and £50 to lift it off the ground to save lives in our local community. Have a look at what they do to save lives at www.gwaac.com
Debbie said " Each slot is a 2 hour session and full training is given. those who can commit to a regular slot are as welcome as those who fill in on an ad hoc basis. Please contact me if you can help out and extend our hours"  Following the sad demise of Stroud FM, Jess Bracey who was a previous presenter with Tea Cakes and Talk has launched her own community radio station. Bus Stop Radio is a multi media platform which Jess has pumped her own money into. Debbie having appeared on the show and sharing a liking of food with Jess was invited to the launch last week at The Black Book Café in Stroud. Jess and Debbie talked about the project and Debbie has offered to give a political input to the new station.
Anybody wanting to join Debbie in supporting this community project can contact Jess on jess@busstopradio.com
 Debbie has always been a supporter of the Community Stores. For the last 6 months last support has been very practical as she has taken on organising the volunteers rota. with the shop currently open from 7-30 to 1pm Monday to Saturday and 7.30 to 10.00 on Sunday, that means that 22 volunteer slots need to be filled.
When the shop moves this number will at least double, so there is a concerted attempt to recruit and train more volunteers. The date for this is looming as it is hoped to complete on the purchase on the 23rd May with then some time for refurbishment. It is also hoped to be able to offer volunteering opportunities for people with learning difficulties and Debbie is liaising with County Council Officers to make this happen. Debbie said " You take it quite personally to ensure that the shop stays open, we have some fantastic volunteers, some of whom do regular slots and others who brilliantly fill in the gaps. I am really enjoying doing the rota, it can be stressful but everyone is so good at filling in. It is onward and upward" Anyone wanting to volunteer for a couple of hours each week can contact Debbie.
Debbie said "The Great Western Air Ambulance is literally a life save for everyone and I do hope that I have been able to give the fundraisers some key people who may be able to help them raise the enormous sum they need"
Matthew was concerned that proposed changes to the Probation Service would have an adverse impact on the role of social enterprises within the rehabilitation agenda and was therefore invited to put his concerns directly to the Minster. Matthew said “ I am so grateful Debbie invited me to this event. It was an amazing opportunity to raise my concerns directly with the Minster and I spent at least 10 minutes talking to him about the role of REACH and the positive impact it has on the lives of offenders and communities." Debbie continued “ People often criticise non custodial sentances however community payback makes a huge difference. For low level offenders prison is costly and often detrimental, whilst community payback benefits local communities in a positive way and actually benefits the tax payer, as in the case of the replacement post on The Old Common” Debbie as an ex Prison Governor really appreciates the role REACH has in changing offending behaviour patterns which will benefit the community and was really pleased she was able to help them  |
