Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise cic (CARE) joined the Places of Welcome network in 2023 with an ethos closely linked to the 5p’s. The venue encourages connection and community with opportunities to learn practical vocational and essential skills, to volunteer and be creative in a beautiful outdoor setting. Participants at CARE note improvements to their mental health and wellbeing through learning and wellbeing experiences at the project and highlighted a growing confidence that has encouraged friendships and employment opportunities.
CARE provides holistic day opportunities and meaningful activities in a safe and peaceful countryside setting. A caring, friendly environment where people are welcomed and supported as individuals to develop their own potential, grow in self-esteem and improve personal wellbeing. They have fun, learn new skills, make friends and develop life skills. CARE helps them on their journey to independence, volunteering and work.
You can find out more about CARE - Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise from their website here
Simon’s Story- Volunteer, C.A.R.E
“I found out about CARE through the local Job Centre when I was looking for work, they suggested accessing support from local community organisations too which helped me to build my confidence and explore volunteering opportunities. This included CARE.
That was about five years ago now. I learnt a lot at CARE including woodcraft, how to grow fruit and veg and developed many personal skills- things at the time I wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to do.
I enjoyed interacting with people, and I realised how important being able to help others was to me. This experience with CARE became a pathway to improving my life. I attended a talk locally to find out more about how to care for people in the community and felt confident that I had the skills that were required. I know now I wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply for these jobs without the experience I’d gained at CARE.
I’ve been working as a Support Worker now for two and a half years and I really enjoy it. I still volunteer at CARE every couple of weeks to keep in touch with the friends I’ve made there. A lot of other people return and stay in touch too and I’ll keep coming back for as long as I can. It’s a calming place where they take time to get to know you, help support your wellbeing, skills and your next steps. Taking the first step into something like this is always the hardest thing- I would definitely encourage other people to come along and try it.”
For more information about Places of Welcome nationally and to find groups running near you, please take a look at the national website here
A huge thank you to Sophie Edwardson, Listening and Learning Officer, Church Urban Fund for taking the time out her incredibly busy diary and making the journey to visit this fabulous Place of Welcome and then sharing this wonderful story and photos to accompany it.