Call for community to come together
COMMUNITY connections will be the focus as people across the borough are invited to organise and join events to mark the first anniversary of the death of MP Jo Cox.
A nationwide initiative, The Great Get Together, aims to celebrate all that unites us. Events will take on an extra poignancy following the recent horrific bombing in Manchester.
In Hinckley and Bosworth a traditional sports day and community forums are already planned.
Friends, families and neighbours are encouraged to organise their own ventures.
The Great Get Together theme has been inspired by Mrs Cox’s maiden speech in Parliament where she said people in the UK “have far more in common with each other than things that divide us”.
The Labour MP for Batley and Spen died on June 16 2016 after she was shot and stabbed by a far right sympathiser.
Sharon Stacey, director of community services at the council said: “We are working with partners and volunteers to deliver and support events and we would like to encourage other organisations and communities to put on their own events to support this great initiative.
“Community house volunteers have organised an event with our employees that will give us the chance to find out more about the valuable work that volunteer colleagues do in an informal atmosphere. We hope that building connections in this way will help us to improve services for the communities we serve as well as being a fitting tribute to Mrs Cox.”
Events organised so far include: Thursday June 15 - Community Relations Forum Great Get Together Event, 5 to 8pm, The International Friendship Centre, Hinckley. This free event aims to bring together representatives of charities and those who work in the voluntary and community sector to share their experience and learn about the work of others. To book, email Edwina. grant@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk or call Hinckley 238141
Friday June 16 - Voluntary and Community Sector Celebration Event, Concordia Theatre, Hinckley 10am to 12.30pm and Making a Difference Awards 1.30pm to 3.30pm. This event, which has been organised by the Hinckley and Bosworth Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Partnership and the Borough Council, aims to bring volunteers and VCS organisations together in an informal atmosphere where they will have the chance to find out more about funding opportunities for their community projects as well as learning more about the work of others. The awards will honour volunteers who give up their time to help others. For more information contact Next Generation Community Connect, email: vcsinfo@nxt-gen.org.uk or call Hinckley 632984.
Saturday June 17 - Traditional Sports Day, Argents Mead, Hinckley 11am to 2pm. A traditional summer sports day with games such as welly wanging and an egg and spoon race. Enter as a family, with workmates or as a group of friends. Free to enter. Booking is preferred. To book contact: activetogether@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk or call Hinckley 255870.