@gl11communityhub
A place to belong, a hub for action. We believe we are always stronger together; our welcoming community hub is a place where we can all belong, have fun, and shape the future of Cam and Dursley. https://www.gl11.org.uk/
Two people holding hands gently across a wooden table
Do you experience chronic pain? Every Monday from 3:30 - 4:45pm we hold a Pain Cafe at GL11 Community Hub. Come and meet others navigating the same path, share your experiences and support each other. The sessions are free but we suggest a £5 donation. For more information please call 01453 548530.
Two children, aided by an adult, throwing shredded paper into the air
It's Thank You Thursday and today we're saying a massive thank you to everyone who came to our special Spring Stay and Play on Saturday. You raised a whopping £519.87 for our Connect and Nourish project! Thank you for giving so generously to support food and growing projects in our community.
Two people looking at a smartphone together whilst sat at a wooden table
Do you, or someone you know, need support getting to grips with the online world? Until the end of the month, we're offering free at home digital support sessions through the Digi @ Home project. Just give us a call on 01453 548530 and we'll organise a referral.
Rolling green hills and fields under a dramatic sky
On the second Wednesday of every month Sharon cooks up a delicious dish inspired by another country's cuisine... tomorrow we're heading to Ireland! Enjoy food from the Emerald Isle and, because it's our Cost of Living Day, everything is just £1. Feicfidh mé sibh go luath!
Tables full of donated baby and toddler clothes in plastic crates
Don't forget that our next Bank of Baby Stuff (BOBS) is taking place this Wednesday (11 March) from 9:30 - 11:30am. Come along and choose from a great selection of pre-owned baby and toddler clothes and other useful things. Everything is free!
They also inspired younger generations and shed light on an often untold part of our area's social and industrial history. The theme of International Women's Day this year is 'Give to Gain'. Through the women of Cam Mills giving their time and voices, so many people have gained.
Author Rebecca Solnit writes that "the ability to tell your own story, in words or images, is already a victory, already a revolt." For the women involved in this project, sharing their stories proved cathartic and helped rekindle old friendships and forge new ones.
The work they created, which was exhibited at Kingshill House last September, was all inspired by women's voices. These included the stories of Judith, the first female union rep at Cam Mills, and her friend Sue who worked in the warping department for 55 years.
Starting with women telling their own stories to our volunteers, the project grew and grew through a partnership with Creative Community and The Quarry Chapel to incorporate weaving, felting and dyeing workshops and photography training for young people.
Black and white photograph of a woman working at Cam Mills threading yarn
Happy International Women's Day! To celebrate, we're looking back on the most recent chapter of our oral history project which explored the lives of the women working at Cam Mills.
Three bowls of Sri Lankan curries, including lentils, a creamy vegetable curry, and fried vegetables.
We're so excited to announce our pop up Sri Lankan kitchen with Chandra on Friday 27 March! Join us for a night of flavourful curries and fragrant rice cooked up in the GL11 kitchen. Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sri-lankan-pop-up-kitchen-with-chandra-tickets-1983450129731
"What? Messy play is on Saturday this week too?!" Don't forget that we have a special stay and play taking place tomorrow. Plus the cafe will be open, we'll have our Repair Cafe available, the SEND parent peer support group is running, and runDADrun is taking place. Full details on our website.
It's Thank You Thursday and today we're thanking everyone who has donated to our Connect and Nourish crowdfunder. We have just 28 days left to raise the final £6,116 and ensure we can keep a huge pledge from Stroud District Council. Find out more at https://www.spacehive.com/connect-and-nourish.
Three children playing with colourful foam outdoors in the GL11 garden.
We've now had funding confirmed to be able to offer all places at Adventure Play this Easter free of charge! Sessions will run from 30 March to 2 April. 5 - 7 year olds: 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. 8 - 11 year olds: 9:30am - 3:30pm. To book email kathredmond@gl11.org.uk or call 01453 548530.
Plastic boxes on a table filled with baby clothes labelled by age and gender
Just one week to go until our next Bank of Baby Stuff (BOBS), which will run on Wednesday 11 March from 9:30 - 11:30am. Come along and choose from a great selection of pre-owned baby and toddler clothes and other useful things. Everything is free!
Kath from GL11 speaking to three children, who are eating snacks
Adventure Play is back this Easter! Join the team from 30 March to 2 April.
🐰 5 - 7 year olds: 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm (£5 per session)
🐰 8 - 11 year olds: 9:30am - 3:30pm (£15 per session, includes lunch)
Email kathredmond@gl11.org.uk or call 01453 548530 to book a place.
Local wine tasting! Explore a selection of locally produced wines and nibbles, learn tasting notes and enjoy a delightful evening of flavour and conversation. 11 March 2026, 6 - 8pm. GL11 Community Hub, GL11 5JS. £30 tickets.
We can't wait to welcome Laura from Road Green Vineyard next week for a local wine tasting. Tickets are £30 and support our Connect and Nourish project. Head to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wine-tasting-at-gl11-community-hub-tickets-1982187324647?aff=oddtdtcreator to book yours now.
Please donate to our crowdfunder, we need to raise at least £8,187 by the end of this month in order to unlock match funding from Stroud District Council. Just head to https://www.spacehive.com/connect-and-nourish and click 'back this project' to make a difference.
The impact of our regular Community Lunch inspires us to do more. We believe there are so many opportunities in Cam and Dursley to encourage connections over shared meals. We've got exciting plans as part of our Connect and Nourish project, but we need your help to get started.
At the table, people develop friendships and they build community. 80% of people surveyed during our last Listening Month survey said they felt supported by the friends they've made at GL11.
The actor Stanley Tucci has written, "sharing food is one of the purest human acts." Community Lunch brings people together, tackling isolation and loneliness and giving people a sense of purpose.
We know that the food itself is important; research from the Royal Voluntary Society has shown that thousands of older people in the UK aren't cooking for themselves, either regularly skipping food or relying on ready meals. But Community Lunch is about more than just nourishment.
Sharon also enjoys the challenge of devising nutritious menus within a limited budget, as we charge just £7 per person.
A group of older people enjoying a meal together in the cafe at GL11
Did you know that Sharon and our kitchen volunteers served up 1,902 community lunches last year? This is no mean feat. Every Thursday they prepare, cook, give out and clear up over 40 two-course lunches for older members of our community.
A child peering over the top of a red and purple plastic slide in the garden at GL11.
Join us on Saturday 7 March from 9:30am - 12pm for messy stay and play for all the family, plus a tombola and cake sale to raise funds for our Connect and Nourish project. And the cafe will be open for bacon and egg rolls. Suitable for children up to age 10, £5 per family. Hope to see you there!
Group of veterinary staff and Paul from GL11, plus three dogs, holding a £500 giant cheque outside Vale Vets.
It's Thank You Thursday, the time of the week when we celebrate all the amazing contributions people and organisations in our local area make to our GL11 community. Today we're saying a massive thank you to Vale Vets for a very generous donation of £500 towards our Connect & Nourish crowdfunder.
Wooden sign outside GL11 advertising "Today @ GL11".
Today! Come and meet Cllr Dr Richard Dean for advice on cost saving and sustainable solutions, along with help accessing energy grants and discounts. Drop-in any time between 10am and 12pm. And if you can't make today, Richard will be back again on 25 March.
Hands taking two five pound notes from a black leather wallet.
Our money, debt and benefit advice session will not be running tomorrow (Wednesday 25 February). We're really sorry for any inconvenience caused. The next money advice sessions at GL11 will be on Monday 2 March from 9:30am to 2:30pm.
Yellow sticky note with sketch of a lightbulb pinned to pinboard.
Have you got a fab idea for a community project but don't know where to start? Or are you in need of funding to get your plans off the ground? Steve Moore from GRCC will be at GL11 on 26 February, offering 1:1 tailored advice between 2 and 3:30pm. Email Steve to book your slot: stevem@grcc.org.uk.
Closed for staff training. Monday 23 February.
Please don't forget that GL11 Community Hub is closed all day today (Monday 23 February) for staff training. If you need any help today please head to https://www.gl11.org.uk/new-shut-down-help for a list of useful contacts.
