It’s been quite a summer at Melbourn Hub with events such as the big Platinum Jubilee street party and a range of community health and wellbeing services being introduced at our venue.
Platinum Jubilee Street Party
On 5th June, in spite of the weather not being on our side, The Hub organised a street party that saw hundreds of people gather to enjoy food and drink and the feast of entertainment on offer. Prices were set very low and people were also welcome to bring their own picnic, in order to make sure the event was as inclusive as possible for the whole community.
Entertainment was provided by the Bassingbourn Village brass band and a line-up of talented young singers throughout the day. Our thanks go to Amelia Froggatt, Beth Archer, Charles Arbon, Maddy DeBrugha, Maicey-Anne Haydon for their great performances.
Children were invited to wear their homemade crowns to the party and to join the ‘crown parade’ where every child was given a prize for taking part.
The event was honoured with the arrival of ‘Her Majesty’ in a vintage car accompanied by the town crier who announced the arrival! The ‘Queen’ walked amongst her subjects and then drew the raffle. Our thanks to Melbourn Amateur Dramatics (MADS) for providing the Royal performance!
The day would not have been possible without the help of Melbourn Fete, MADS and the staff and volunteers from the Hub (and beyond) who worked so hard over the preceding weeks and on the day to make the event the success it was. Our thanks also go to Melbourn Parish Council for their support.
The day’s events were captured in a number of brilliant photos by professional photographer Guann-Yeu Chin of GYC Photography (see photo of The ‘Queen’); provided free of charge by Guann-Yeu to support the Hub and the village, capturing memories of a day when Melbourn really came together to celebrate!
Health at The Hub
Patients can now access a range of Health and Wellbeing services at Melbourn Hub. The initiative is a partnership between Melbourn Hub and Meridian Primary Care Network (PCN) and is the first of its kind in South Cambs. The idea is to bring some of the services out of GP surgeries and into a community setting, to provide easier access for patients. Members of the Meridian Personalised Care Team including Social Prescribers, Health Coaches and Care Coordinators based at Melbourn Hub, now offer help to patients who are seeking certain mental and physical health advice and support.
Meridian Primary Care Network covers six GP surgeries (Orchard, Bourn, Comberton, Harston, Royston Health Practice and Roysia) and some of the services available at Melbourn Hub include free health checks and support for people with anxiety, long Covid, symptoms of the menopause, needing weight management or who have pressures as the carer of a loved one.
‘Health at The Hub’ was formally launched at a public event on 25th June, bringing together GPs, health practitioners and community support services alongside the Meridian Personalised Care Team to talk to the public. Free health checks were offered, the NHS COVID vaccination bus promoted their tour service and The Hub’s library showed its range of health and well-being books.
Amongst those visiting the event were South Cambs District Council leader Bridget Smith, Bill Handley, South Cambs lead cabinet member for Communities and Jan Thomas, the CEO for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire ‘Integrated Care Board’ who said:
Thank you and congratulations to all who have worked so hard on Melbourn ‘Health at The Hub’. It’s a great example of a community space designed for local people by local people. We look forward to learning from the team and ensuring we can support others to create similar excellent local support.
Jan Thomas
Meridian PCN’s Personalised Care Team are now providing the services at Melbourn Hub and also holds a ‘walk-in’ session open to all, to meet the team and find out more every Monday between 10 am and 11.30 am. Alternatively, to request support or information about the health and wellbeing services please email: capccg.meridiancare@nhs.net
Vaccinators on Tour
Since May, The Hub has been hosting COVID vaccinations, so that NHS staff from the ‘Vaccinators on Tour’ team can provide this service locally within the community making access easier for people in Melbourn and the surrounding area. The NHS has highlighted Melbourn as one of the most successful and well-organised venues they have attended. The take-up of the vaccines has been high – exceeding expectations – with extra vaccines being sent out for during their first visit in May to keep up with demand! The Hub has publicised the availability of the vaccination service each time, which has resulted in high turnouts.
College GCSE Art Exhibition
Melbourn Village College students have produced an incredible array of artwork for their GCSE exams this year. Melbourn Hub was delighted to host both the exhibition through July and also the private viewing evening which was attended by students and their families.
The evening was also attended by Anthony Browne MP, Bridget Smith leader of SCDC and Anna Bradnam chair of SCDC who were all impressed by the standard of the work. Simon Holmes and art teachers Sarah Heeks and Samantha Ward who organised the exhibition with The Hub, were there to welcome the guests and chat about the excellent work of the students.
Look out for more Hub news on Facebook @thehubmelbourn including another ‘Meet the Author’ evening featuring author Laura Thompson in September, following the previous popular evening where guests met Cambridge authors Mandy Morton and Nicola Upson and information about our art exhibitions, featuring different artists each month on our gallery wall.
