What is a Community Connector

Community Connectors are people who can help friends, family and Neighbours find support.  

Anyone can be a Community Connector! It is not about volunteering, it’s just about you being someone in the community who knows that there is help out there. You don’t need to be an expert on services – by directing people to the ‘Focus Centre’  

Community Connectors could be police, taxi drivers, rangers, hairdressers, young people, doctors, café staff, builders, shopkeepers, parents, grandparents, homeless people, teachers… anyone who lives in Swanage and surrounding areas and wants to help others around them. 

There are no set hours, or minimum commitment – if you like to listen or chat and can spread the word about the help that’s out there, then this is for you!  

Community members will:

  • Help connect people to the Focus Centre.
  • Let us know where there are gaps in the area, and your ideas on how this could be filled?

 

Image of two people, community connector, and a signpost with "Wellbeing" written on it. One of the people is pointing the other person in the direction of wellbeing on the signpost to show them showing where they can get support.
Group of people sat on a wall looking out to sea with their arms linked round eachother

If you would like to become a community connector please pop along to one of our sessions to find out more…only 30 minute sessions, nothing too heavy!  We hope to see you soon.

To book please ring or Contact us here

 

More information below

How do I become a Community connector?

Offering free community connector sessions to anyone who lives in Swanage and the surrounding areas to learn about Wellbeing Swanage. New connectors can come along for a short awareness session, meet the Wellbeing Swanage team, have a tour of the Focus Centre and find out about what is on offer (oh and there’s tea and cake!). If you are already a connector, come along and catch up with others and find out about what’s new!    

Once you know how it all works, we will provide you with a supply of handy cards to help people find what they need. By signposting people to the Welcome Lounge, our trained staff can then help them choose the right service for them.

Help can I improve services in Swanage

As a small, local charity, with big ideas, we want to see Swanage get the Wellbeing services it deserves and we need your help to let us know of any gaps in services.

Community Connectors are the eyes and ears of Wellbeing Swanage! Anytime you are passing the Focus Centre, do pop in and say hello, tell us how it’s going and any services you think might be missing or need improvement. You can also email us at focuscentre@sandpdt.org.uk

 

Can my business or organisation help?

Yes! Small (or large!) businesses can be Community Connectors too! Your relationship with your customers or members means you may be the first person to know they’d like some help. We can train you and your staff to make sure your customers get the support they need.  

If you think your business, club or organisation  can help people help themselves, please get in touch! We offer a 15-minute training session in your workplace, or you can spread the word by adding the Connectors scheme to staff inductions, newsletters or your noticeboard.   

How can I get in touch?

Do call in and see us at the Focus Centre, or sign up to receive our community newsletter. We will also organise occasional ‘get togethers’ for Community Connectors who would like to come along. 

For more information

call 07938 465062

or email focuscentre@sandpdt.org.uk  

What Community Connector's say about their role

“Having the extra knowledge when talking with people who need help and support will be so valuable.”
Police Community Support Officer 

“I never knew there was so much support out there!”
Community member