This week Neil discusses local organisations

THE last few weeks have comprised of an eclectic mix of activities in the Stroud Valleys and Vale.

One morning, a 5.30am rendezvous with St Mungo’s charity, an excellent national organisation with strong local structures helping people to deal with becoming homeless, involved a patrol of Stroud but without, thankfully, finding anyone sleeping out.

The success of St Mungo’s is measured in the rebuilding of lives through fulfilling re-engagement with society.

A visit to Westend Office Suites, Stonehouse, was inspiring; meeting many new and growing businesses – some having recently moved to the area to develop – demonstrates the strength of the local economy. Several businesses which, although different in so many ways, underline the value of innovative and people orientated enterprises. Fordham Hair Design’s Secret Salon and Market Dojo for e-marketing are two cases in point.

The fabulous annual political lunch in Sheepscombe was a great opportunity to catch up with councillors, campaigners and organisers all with interesting stories to tell and pertinent points to make about our local communities and public bodies. Keeping in touch is so important and also, as in this case, pleasurable. It is often the informal setting where valuable insights, backed up by robust evidence, are plentiful.

Youth clubs are extremely valuable. Club Pulse meets at the Painswick Youth Centre and Stonehouse Drop In meets at the Youth Club in Oldends Lane, both provide a good range of activities, including weekends away and are part of the PSALMS structure.

Joining in on a leadership session was inspiring; confidence building, taking responsibly and recognition of the value of others were all on display. Each session ends, of course, with a short prayer.