Saturday 24th June saw the return of the nclbcheltenham.org.uk/ children's festival. An organisation I have been supporting for many years. I took #Beagoodneighbour along for the day to run an activity and to launch the 'Design a Summer Picnic Mat competition.'
It was great to be a part of Quiet hour, for those children with additional needs who would benefit from a quieter hour to enjoy the activities. One mum said, "My children wouldn't have coped with the noise of more people here so this is something she can access on a level she can enjoy." This year's theme was togetherness and it was a pleasure to be 'together' with other charities, organisations and groups from across Cheltenham providing a free day of activities for children to enjoy. As a mum I love a day where I don't have to spend money so my children would have definitely enjoyed this when they were younger. 
For those who love to stick, paint, glue. explore , be active and get messy, this was your perfect day out. It also gave parents a chance to connect with those agencies who can give support and safe people to talk with. It is extremely important to get help when you need help before a problem spirals and having a good relationships with the charities and organisations offering this support is extremely important. 
My job on the day was to interview the sponsors and the mayor who came along with his children to enjoy the day. I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Close www.deancloselittletrees.co.uk/ who were one of the sponsors of the day. 

My thanks to my volunteers who came along to help me from www.godfirst.org.uk/ to Be Good Neighbours and get stuck in with the people we made either to look like the children who made them or someone they knew. There were some very creative sticking and making of people. It reminds me of the reason I set this organisation up. Each of us are different and each of us is special. We are all made with unique talents and with a lot of love and kindness to give away to others. I am always wanting everyone I come across to be able to show kindness to someone else who needs it and we meet those in need of receiving love every day. Today I helped the team from NCLB Children's festival set up and tidy away all the banners and equipment. My feet hurt and I was tired but many hands make light work and if we all work together we can achieve a lot.
Who have you been kind to this week. My favourite quote is this. "In a world where you can be anything, be kind." If everyday we show kindness to someone, then surely we can make this world a better place for everyone. Challenge yourself and show kindness to someone this week.
Photo Below: Selfie with the mayor! #Mayorlife

 This week I have been out and about meeting people and networking. I have had the pleasure this week of working with www.schoolhousecafe.co.uk/. This low cost café is at the heart of St Paul's community. It is a safe place to come and meet a friend, catch up on some work or get some peace and quiet away from the hustle of life. The new menu is affordable an delicious with sumptuous cakes on offer. What more could you want? I was sitting there one lunch time when someone I hadn't see for a while walked through the door! What a good place for a catch up. Please come and meet me there for a cup of tea. I'll even buy you a cake!
Fresh Hope who run the School House Café, have extended their opening times for their food pantry at the Rock on Tewksbury Road. get in touch here for more information. 
I have taken part in the Feeding Gloucestershire Launch in Cheltenham which was key to bringing people together across Cheltenham to talk about food, growing and sustainability in Cheltenham  www.feedinggloucestershire.org.uk/ I so love being a part of this organisation as it not only celebrates the fabulous work we do across Cheltenham to get food to those who need it. The more we can do together the more we can achieve for the good of those in our communities. We can all provide food support to someone who needs it, either by helping them with food, helping people to grow their own or giving people tools to help people learn about sustainability and the journey of food and waste what  we eat goes on. A huge shout out to Faith from www.springbankcommunitygroup.org/ for providing the delicious lunch as we shared our knowledge and talked about how we can help each other in this partnership. 
I spent a lovely afternoon visiting and learning all about the fabulous work they do at www.gloscitymission.org.uk/ I was so impressed with the high levels and huge range of support they give to those that need it living on the street in Gloucester as well as providing food, clothes and a soon to be refuge place for those who need somewhere to sleep in the day. Kevin their manager is fabulous and so inspiring to drive this mission to those who need love and hope whose lives are in turmoil and can see no way forward. 

#Be a Good Neighbour seeks to connect people together, and help people to get help and help each other. We can make our community a better place by working together, sharing resources, time and ideas to offer hope and love to those we meet. 
Everyone can do something to play their part however small. What can you do to help where you are.