by [email protected] | Jul 9, 2025 | Events, Intergenerational, Slough, Social Action, Volunteering, Youth Activities, Youth Work
We’re delighted to announce the return of our Afternoon Tea for the Slough 50+ Forum, lovingly prepared and hosted by our amazing young volunteers.
📅 Date: Thursday, 21st August 2025
🕜 Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: 29 Church Street, Slough, SL1 1PL
After a hugely successful event last year, we’re thrilled to bring this special intergenerational gathering back for a second year. The event is all about connection, community, and conversation—bringing together older residents of Slough with the next generation of changemakers.
Our young volunteers will once again be at the heart of the day—planning the menu, preparing homemade treats, serving tea, and chatting with guests. It’s a chance for us to build a stronger sense of belonging across ages and backgrounds.
This event is part of our ongoing commitment to intergenerational solidarity and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to give back, lead with empathy, and gain new skills.
50+ Forum members are welcome to bring a guest.
Booking
There are three ways to book:
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Call: 01753 574 780
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Email: [email protected]
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Online Form: Click here to book
Booking is essential to help us prepare a warm and welcoming experience for everyone.
by [email protected] | Jun 18, 2025 | Beekeeping, Slough, Social Action, Volunteering, Youth Work
Regular readers will know that one of our most exciting recent initiatives has been our youth-led beekeeping project. You can read more about the project here and explore how it’s connected to young people’s mental health and science-based discovery here. So, what’s the latest?
In September 2024, we were delighted to bring two hives to the Riverside Centre in Chalvey, thanks to the support of our colleagues at SWIPE. Following a consultation with our young volunteers and the wider community, the hives were named – with typical flair – Cardi Bee and Beeyoncé.
Throughout the autumn, our team carefully fed both hives, hoping they would survive the winter. Cardi Bee pulled through, but sadly, Beeyoncé did not, leaving us with a spare hive come spring.
Fast forward to 2025, and the remarkably dry spring has spurred remarkable hive activity. Cardi Bee’s colony grew rapidly, and a breakaway swarm was successfully captured and rehomed in Beeyoncé. That means both hives are now active again – Cardi Bee continuing to flourish, and Beeyoncé starting anew under the leadership of the queen who was previously the monarch in the adjacent hive.
Since our last update, there have been several exciting developments:
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Young volunteers attended a hands-on session with Chalfonts Beekeepers’ Society focused on swarm control. Their learning proved invaluable when the real swarm emerged – they knew exactly what to do.
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The team also received training on tackling varroa mites, parasitic insects that can harm bee colonies.
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Weekly hive inspections have continued, with young people checking for signs of swarming and monitoring the wellbeing of both hives.
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Most recently, we’ve begun delivering introductory awareness sessions on the importance of bees and beekeeping. Just last week, the 13th Slough Scouts visited our hives at Riverside to learn more.
We’re proud of the progress made – and even more excited for what’s to come. For the latest photos and real-time updates, be sure to follow us on Instagram here.
by [email protected] | Feb 7, 2024 | Beekeeping, CEO's blog, Cohesion, Mental Health, Participation, Slough, Social Action, Youth Work
Today marks a significant occasion, long-awaited and carefully prepared for! A group of young people from Slough are embarking on a journey to Ley Hill Cricket Club, eager to begin their education in the art of beekeeping.
But how did we reach this point? The British Science Association (BSA), along with the University of Reading and Slough CVS, extended invitations to community groups and charities in Slough and Reading. These groups primarily serve communities that are either new to research or typically underrepresented in such endeavours, inviting them to participate in a Community Led Research Pilot.
Initial discussions between the young volunteers of Together As One (Aik Saath) and representatives from the University of Reading and SCVS revealed a strong interest among the young people in the natural world and environmental issues. Some were concerned about climate change, while others were eager to contribute more to environmental causes.
Throughout the summer of 2023, the young volunteers participated in a diverse array of environmental activities, including upcycling clothing, canal cleaning, and learning about bat conservation and beekeeping. Among these activities, the beekeeping session emerged as a favourite among the young people. Their feedback indicated a strong enjoyment of all sessions, with beekeeping being the preferred pursuit to carry forward.
So, what came next? The university recognized the value of the young people’s journey, and due to the success of the initial exploratory projects, a decision was made to delve deeper. It became apparent from the outset that engagement in environmental activities could benefit the young people, and beekeeping was a subject they wished to explore further.
After successfully reapplying to the BSA, the project was selected to explore the impact of beekeeping on young people’s mental health. The search began for a beekeeping club or society willing to offer support. Several societies were contacted, and one, Chalfonts Beekeepers’ Society, enthusiastically offered their assistance. Their President, Sarah Peterson, has been supportive from the outset, and the society has generously collaborated to develop a training program for the young people.
While bees play a vital role in humanity’s survival, they aren’t always viewed positively. Securing accessible land willing to host a hive posed challenges. However, a pocket park next to Cocksherd Woods in Britwell has been identified as the ideal site. The volunteer-led site has everything a hive might need, including security, level surfaces and access to water via a pond (not essential but most welcome). Moreover, this initiative has the potential to contribute to broader initiatives aimed at making Slough more hospitable to wildlife, facilitated by the newly established Green Slough Community Development Trust.
Meanwhile, the university introduced the project team to Prof. Ciara McCabe, a renowned academic in mental health research, and her doctoral student, Sena Demir Kassem. They lead the research aspect of the project, focusing on mental health. Additionally, the project team is gaining valuable insights from them into the research process undertaken by universities and how to collaborate effectively with higher education institutions.
Please check back to follow our journey!
