Project Profile: Wellspring Centre, Dereham

Wellspring Family Centre was set up in April 2004 by Wellspring Family Church to meet key social needs of anyone living in Dereham and the surrounding areas with high quality community projects.

Name of project:      Wellspring Family Centre
Location:                  35 Neatherd Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2AE
Run by:                     Wellspring Family Church
Contact:                    01362 854581
Website:                   wfcdereham.org 
 
The centre has been dedicated to addressing crucial social needs for the past 20 years. The residents of Dereham and beyond face various challenges related to low incomes, social disintegration, and limited access to public services. Wellspring works closely with local community and statutory organisations to operate several services that promote community integration and harmony:
 
Well-come:
This support group meets three times a week, aiding individuals recovering from mental illness on their journey towards successful rehabilitation. There are two weekly group sessions (Wednesday and Fridays) and additional tailored support including one-to-one befriending, volunteering opportunities and phone calls.
 
Partnership with the local NHS health improvement practitioner has enabled several of her clients find successful recovery from complex mental health challenges through a combination of medication, counselling, and the ongoing and personalised befriending care which the Well-come service provides. They currently have 35 members attending on a regular basis, with around 55 on the books. Typical sessions include sharing meals, one-to-one or group discussions, practical help such as difficulties with technology, skill-based activities such as playing games, creative activities, and trips.
 
Elevate:
This support/self-help group is specifically designed for individuals living with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, providing them with a valuable support system.
 
Elevate keeps finding creative ways to communicate because health issues often make it hard for people to meet in person. But and more and more people are now attending face-to-face meetings at the Centre. In the last year, Elevate has reached out to over 100 people with ME/CFS and their carers, through monthly meetings, Zoom calls, online chats, and visits to their homes.
 
 
Little Lambs:
A baby and toddler group for people in the Dereham area. It befriends and supports parents, grandparents and carers of babies and toddlers, providing a safe, secure environment for children to learn and play, resulting in nurturing environment for both the children and their caregivers.
 
The free service is open to all parents and caregivers, welcoming members from all backgrounds. The group offers a welcoming space for children to enhance their sensory and social abilities, alongside providing vital support for parents and caregivers. The weekly gatherings feature themed arts and crafts, playtime with toys, and healthy snacks for the kids, plus a chance for parents to share their experiences and get assistance.
 
The growing community, currently around 15 children and 11 adults each week, is mainly built through word-of-mouth recommendations, and the group has formed a strong partnership with a local mothers and baby group.
 
Accommodate:
A housing project in partnership with Hope into Action which aims to assist individuals facing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless, providing them with a stable and secure place to live. The project houses and supports them on their road to restoration. The first tenant was housed in December 2023, and the team of befrienders has already made great progress in supporting him.
 
Food Cabin:
Introduced in 2023 as part of the Nourishing Norfolk Network. It offers affordable food items and toiletries to individuals in the Breckland area on a membership basis. The aim of the project is to support those “Just About Managing” with their finances, provide as many people as possible with affordable food, and supporting members through befriending, advice and connecting to other services. 
 
Toby Rouse, Operations Manager at Wellspring, said “The project partners with a growing list of suppliers in order to provide products at a reduced cost, with a typical member saving 30% on their weekly shop, and there are usually some freebies too. The team members offer support and signpost to additional services such as budgeting, priority tariffs and cost of living support. There is a real community feel through the person-centred support; the team has even been able to help 3 members move home, installed a washing machine and arranged transport for a crucial hospital visit. It has over 100 members and plenty of room for more!”
 
People can sign up through visiting the Cabin during opening hours (Wednesdays 10am - midday, Fridays 5pm – 7pm). or emailing foodcabin@wfcdereham.org  or ops@wfcdereham.org
 
Read our previous story about the Wellspring Food Cabin.
 
The top photo above shows, from left to right: Toby Rouse, Jayne Olley, Phil Eggleton. Both pictures are courtesy of Wellspring Family Centre.

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