Small acts, big impact with Southport u3a

Chris, Chair of Southport u3a, gives an update on the ways their 'Just One Thing' group has contributed to their community, one small task at a time.

The 'Just One Thing' Group was started by Southport u3a in respect of the late, great Michael Mosley, but not 'Just One Thing' for ourselves, but to do 'Just One Thing' for our Community. Since September we have already had some helped and made a difference.

Burscough Community Farm were overloaded with Bramley Apples that urgently needed picking for the Food Bank so we donned our wellies and wooly hats and came to the rescue filling a whole lorry in a morning. (See the film the Community Garden made about us below)
https://youtu.be/Wz9reeYW8BI

A mammoth task but every Friday morning a team are revitalising the rusty railings around Victoria Park where our Flower Show is held with smart black paint. The highlight is to finish with chocolate eclairs. 

The annual 24 Hour Yacht Race on Southport's Marine Lake was short of helpers so through the night Southport members observed the race and recorded the boats finish each lap, a great opportunity to be up close at such a prestigious sailing event.

A team brought smiling faces to Tudor House Dementia Nursing Home residents where we visited and helped plant their garden with spring bulbs. A team have continued to visit them, knitting gifts and hope to sing there at Christmas.

Our latest task was when Southport's Salvation Army asked if they could borrow half a dozen Elves for the morning - what else could we do... They certainly didn't expect the tremendous outpouring of gifts, cakes and helpers that came from that little request. We filled their vans with toys and gifts collected at our monthly meeting. Southport u3a produced 20 elves who manned the stalls and tombola, helped in the cafe and kitchen, greeted people at the door, took money on the door and even provided a Father Christmas with Elves for the visiting Children. It was the best Christmas Fayre and Bazaar they had ever held and we will be wrapping presents for those in need before Christmas.

There are lots of little things we can all do, and every now and again to help others can be a lot of fun - who knows what 2025 will bring!