brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314 
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Aug 28, 2023 19:31:57 GMT
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Hi RR's A friend and myself have over the last few months been setting up a car & bike based mental health group with a bit of a difference and really hope we could ask for your support in getting it off the ground! Our aim was to do something practical to help reduce social isolation within the automotive community by having a base to engage and help members improve their mental health in a workshop environment. The workshop would also include a lounge type place to have a one to one in confidence and a small coffee bar. I have also reached out to Andys Man Club so that we can host peer led weekly support groups in our area. Car & bike enthusiasts from all backgrounds and age are really welcome and hopefully they will enjoy an environment where they can work on their car or if they wish, just share a brew with other service users. The service will be totally free of charge to join in. We have called ourselves Auto Distraction and have been fortunate to find affordable premises in a village called Twynholm which incidentally was the home town of this man when he was younger. His family still live here.  The unit is about 1550 sqft   We get the keys this Wednesday so mega excited but also nervous! We have a good number of plans to help fund this project but as one can imagine, workshop equipment is the biggie so we have set up a Just Giving page to help us achieve our goals. We would expect folk to bring along their own basic tools although we will be on a drive to have a good selection belonging to the charity which could also be used if need be. Our fundraising is to help buy the bigger stuff like a 4 poster and compressor amongst other tools. I know these are extremely tough times for most of us but if you are able, please consider donating! Thanks a ton for reading my essay, it's appreciated. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/martin-plant-1?utm_term=VE79keaYP |
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Last Edit: Dec 17, 2023 18:50:15 GMT by brachunky
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Good luck with this venture!
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1937 Austin Street Rod - 1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1976 Rover V8 - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Sounds brilliant this! I’m not too far away in drymen so hopefully be there one day
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braaap
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,594
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Good luck with this venture! +1 I wonder if David C would be willing to help You in any way? |
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Aug 29, 2023 14:21:05 GMT
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Sounds brilliant this! I’m not too far away in drymen so hopefully be there one day Be great to meet you whenever you are down this way! |
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Aug 29, 2023 14:23:31 GMT
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Good luck with this venture! +1 I wonder if David C would be willing to help You in any way? It would indeed be quite a result if he could! It's certainly worth a try at some point |
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braaap
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,594
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Sept 13, 2023 9:00:59 GMT
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A bump for attention. Not a lot happening here after all the attention Your first thread received here.
Has something actually happened since You got he keys?
Rent out car storage space til the actual project can start?
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Last Edit: Sept 13, 2023 9:01:40 GMT by braaap
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Sept 13, 2023 12:04:44 GMT
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A bump for attention. Not a lot happening here after all the attention Your first thread received here. Has something actually happened since You got he keys? Rent out car storage space til the actual project can start? Well braaap, there's been things happening every day but it's all preparatory stuff at the moment as you can imagine. We have only had it two weeks although it seems longer! There's been a number of tools going in from a few donors and promises of other kit from others but these things do take time. I would rather take this time and do it properly and with longevity than rush things through with little thought as there is too much at stake. It's never been in my character but I'm learning fast not to feel awkward or embarrassed to ask for stuff  . I have also approached an organisation up here called The Third Sector who help charities and groups to raise funds and they have been very supportive of our aims so hopefully help will happen although it once again takes time. Some of the challenges will be our semi rural location, this damn recession we are in and of coarse, exposure in getting our name out there. We are actually having an informal meeting tonight with interested folk to see how we can speed things up as well as investigate funding idea's etc! Hand on heart, I would like to see it up & going by January next year but make no mistake, we are aiming for tomorrow  |
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Thought I would give a little feedback for those interested. We had our first open day last Saturday in absolutely torrential rain. At one point I thought no one would call in but as time went on we had a good number of local car guys visit, all with really positive encouragement for what we are doing which gave us some confirmation that we were onto something! We had a 18 year old lad with his Fiesta Ghia up to an older gent in his 70's with his Merc 190 so a great range of ages and experience. A bit of spannering took place but the "highlight" was the young chap who happened to mention his brakes were not exactly good! He had only had this car (his first) for two weeks and with the Fiesta's bonnet open, I explained the various fluids needing checking from time to time. He then pointed to the washer bottle which had its cap missing and some gaffer tape stuck over the filler lip. With some nervousness, he told me he had filled the brake fluid reservoir with pink screenwash thinking that's where it belonged!! By this point I didn't really know how to react but calmly informed him of this "slight" error. Anyhoo, it got sorted later in the day and I'm sure that won't happen again! For some reason I didn't feel it appropriate to take photo's but as we get to know folk better, i'm sure we will post pictures! If you are able to support us that would be really appreciated! www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/martin-plant-1?utm_term=Nwpx9pK74  |
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Last Edit: Oct 9, 2023 17:52:03 GMT by brachunky
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Dec 15, 2023 18:42:26 GMT
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So we are a few months in and it's certainly been a learning curve! From an user involvement angle, it's been a bit slower than I would have liked but have to keep matters in context. Some of the challenges are certainly being in a rural location, the creeping wetter & colder weather and actually getting the word out. Social media has been a big help in spreading the word but it don't reach everyone. The plan is to get posters and leaflets out as spring approaches and make sure we are at the very few local car shows over the summer. There has been a nice regular bunch of folk calling in with some young lads & lasses spending time learning about their cars and doing some basic maintenance which has been fantastic to see. We have also been talking to the local NHS community link to help link folk to our service as well as local Men's Shed groups. It's gonna take time but we are super excited about making a difference! This weekend see's a bunch of lads partially dismantle a used Bradbury 4 post lift and get it back to the workshop ready for installation during January which will be a huge boost to the tool kit. As before, we would love your support on our FB page (link below) and If you are able, send a cheeky donation on our Just Giving page Cheers Martin www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/martin-plant-1?utm_term=XW8EMn6p3 |
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Dec 17, 2023 18:48:21 GMT
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A huge milestone for us today as a group of local chaps volunteered their time and warmth of their homes to brave the rank rain. 4 poster collection day! The original plan was to to do two trips and move the uprights and then the dismantled main bed from the collection point back to the unit but plans do change The owner of the trailer was confident in it's ability to move the lot in one move so seeing as the rural roads were pretty quiet, we decided to lift the complete bed onto the trailer, strap it down and get the job done!    Once loaded, we headed back to the unit to get the 2.7m wide bed through a somewhat narrower roller shutter door. Obviously finished off with coffee & cake!    Hopefully get it installed during January ready for use |
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93fxdl
Posted a lot
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Posts: 2,000
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Dec 19, 2023 18:02:27 GMT
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Will have to make a trip here at some time, only about 2 hours away
Would it be an idea to post this into other projects, make it less likely to be swamped by general posts
Best of luck with this
Ttfn Glenn
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. I have also approached an organisation up here called The Third Sector who help charities and groups to raise funds and they have been very supportive of our aims so hopefully help will happen although it once again takes time.
