Our Blog

Rethinking volunteering? Let’s focus on our own wellbeing

August 8, 2022
“I’m Brad, I’m 26 and live with my wife Becky and our two year...
Categories:
Community, Uncategorised, Wellbeing

Befriending ain’t the ending

April 4, 2022
My friend posted this on Twitter… “Befriending scheme befrienders have to keep a log...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

Ashton Circle -The allotment

April 4, 2022
After being cooped up in my house for almost 2 years during the pandemic...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

Community Circles Go Global

March 3, 2022
We often describe a circle of support as a space of love and listening,...
Categories:
Community, Learning

Small Spark to Bright Idea

January 1, 2022
It’s amazing what you can discover in your own home when you’re stuck there...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

Social Care Future Event

July 7, 2021
Cath describes her experience and learning from hosting a workshop at the Social Care...
Categories:
Community, Home care, Learning, Older people, Wellbeing

Creating opportunities for friendships to flourish…social pedagogy in practice

July 7, 2021
We walk alongside people, not leaping to ‘fix’ them but exploring what matters to...
Categories:
Community, Leadership, Learning, Wellbeing

Covid Buddies

July 7, 2021
The team at Community Circles has been working closely with teams in Suffolk during...
Categories:
Community, Older people

Ashton Circle: Connecting people through shared interests, locally and online

July 7, 2021
With COVID restrictions easing, and the excitement of face to face events becoming more...
Categories:
Community

Maintaining connections and contributions with creativity and exploring what’s possible…

January 1, 2021
Leanne, who has a learning disability, has a circle to support her finding things...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability

Care homes and schools, the magic relationship – what’s possible during COVID

January 1, 2021
As well as thinking creativity around what matters to individuals, at Community Circles we...
Categories:
Care homes, Community, Older people

Community Circles – Brief Introductory Information

January 1, 2021
Lots of people are getting in touch to ask about Community Circles. There are...
Categories:
Care homes, Carers, Community, Extra care, Learning, Older people, People living with dementia, People with a learning disability, Wellbeing

Sit up and take notice!

November 11, 2020
I wonder how often we stop and take notice – to clear our heads...
Categories:
Community, Learning, Wellbeing

Karen’s Lockdown Story

November 11, 2020
Sight Advice has a number of wonderful volunteers. In this blog they focus on...
Categories:
Community, Older people

Reflections on One Page Profiles

November 11, 2020
Following on from her last blog, exploring the power of one page profiles, Cath...
Categories:
Community, Learning

Laughter, Friendship and Cocktails

August 8, 2020
Becky, our Community Connector for Ashton, describes the challenges the team have faced in...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

Portable Magic

August 8, 2020
Sharon reflects on the power of the written word to transport us somewhere magical,...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

Circles Connected Our journey

June 6, 2020
COVID-19 has caused every organisation to think differently about the way they work. Our...
Categories:
Community, Learning

Volunteers Making an Enormous Difference

April 4, 2020
We have never underestimated the difference our volunteers make to people’s lives but now,...
Categories:
Community, Older people, Wellbeing

Knitting with Purpose and Good Company

April 4, 2020
The 'Knit & Natter' group started off with a few ladies having a chat...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader

February 2, 2020
Imogen originally contacted the Community Circles Project hosted by Age UK in Doncaster looking...
Categories:
Community, Older people, Wellbeing

A Spotlight on Circles Connected

February 2, 2020
Circle Family is a membership programme of monthly community events and opportunities, helping people...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

All Hands On Deck

February 2, 2020
Sight Advice South Lakes is a charity which supports people with sight issues. They...
Categories:
Community, Older people

5 ways Community Circles help local authorities comply with the Care Act

August 8, 2016
The Care Act has been in place for a while now, but we know...
Categories:
Community, Learning

How do we develop Community Circles for people who have nobody in their lives?

February 2, 2016
There is much in the news of the effects of isolation.  Research shows that...
Categories:
Community, Learning

9 reasons why I am excited about the potential of Community Circles to make a difference

September 9, 2015
Many people with dementia are lonely, bored and have little in their lives that...
Categories:
Community, People living with dementia

Giving, connecting, appreciating

September 9, 2015
For the past twelve months I’ve shared Mary’s story and how her Community Circle...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability, Supported living

The role of support staff in a Community Circle

July 7, 2015
Mary’s Community Circle began nearly 12 months ago and is has been a delight...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability, Supported living

Judith Snow – A Pioneer Woman

June 6, 2015
In memory of Judith Snow 29.10.1949 – 31.05.2015 Previously, we have blogged about the...
Categories:
Community

Community Circles and difficult conversations

June 6, 2015
Blog by Helen Sanderson Joanne was a work colleague of mine. We shared an...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

From being present to contributing: Miriam and the community choir

March 3, 2015
Blog by Helen Sanderson I am part of Miriam’s Community Circle, and the purpose...
Categories:
Care homes, Community, People living with dementia

My top 10 learning points of working with Churches – so far….

January 1, 2015
Written by Helen Smith, Community Circles Coordinator It’s a new year again, and I...
Categories:
Community

Continuing to learn with Mary

December 12, 2014
Blog by Cath Barton Mary’s circle is exploring ways that she can reconnect with...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability, Supported living, Wellbeing

Ever Increasing Circles – A (brief) history of circles in the US and UK

September 9, 2014
In Canada, in the mid 1970’s, a young and brilliant graduate York University lecturer...
Categories:
Community

What church means to Mary…

September 9, 2014
I had the pleasure of going to church with Mary today. It was lovely...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability, Supported living

Mary’s Circle, the ‘Cream Cake Get Together’

September 9, 2014
How are we building on actions… Today’s Circle get together with Mary starting off...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability, Supported living

12 reasons why I love my job…

September 9, 2014
Cath Barton writes about why she loves her job as a Community Circles Connector...
Categories:
Community, Wellbeing

Singing, gliding and a glass of dry white

August 8, 2014
The idea of any kind of formal meeting makes Miriam anxious. Clearly we wanted...
Categories:
Care homes, Community, People living with dementia

Circles of Support? Community Circles? What’s the difference?

July 7, 2014
Here at Community Circles, we are exploring how Circles of Support can be delivered...
Categories:
Community, Learning

Canadian models of Circles and supportive social networks

July 7, 2014
Over the next few weeks, we want to share with you how Circles are...
Categories:
Carers, Community

Who could provide Facilitation and Support for Circles?

June 6, 2014
The following is an excerpt from Circles of Support and Personalisation (Helen Sanderson and...
Categories:
Community

What is the contribution of Circles of Support to delivering personalisation?

June 6, 2014
The ‘circle of support’ is a model that has enormous potential to enhance the...
Categories:
Community

How can you engage with Community Circles?

June 6, 2014
Community Circles is exploring how to create Circles at scale, using person-centred practices, so...
Categories:
Community

8 Strategies for Connecting Communities

May 5, 2014
Written by Max Neill There has been lots of discussion in the press and...
Categories:
Community

Should a Circle Facilitator be a paid role?

February 2, 2014
There is much discussion around this subject.  Some feel strongly that anyone facilitating a...
Categories:
Community

What do you do when you suddenly find yourself making all the decisions?

January 1, 2014
Written by Circles Facilitator Michelle Livesley Amy is a young woman in her early...
Categories:
Carers, Community, People with a learning disability

Social Work students using one-page profiles

January 1, 2014
Written by Ali Gardner Senior Lecturer – Social Work Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Last time...
Categories:
Community, Learning, Wellbeing

What is the secret of Circles of Support?

January 1, 2014
By Sandra Fietkau, Leonberg, Germany About five years ago I learned about the idea...
Categories:
Community

In the heart of the community – or is it?

January 1, 2014
Written by Sarah Thomas, parent carer As a parent carer of a son who...
Categories:
Carers, Community, People with a learning disability

Going round in circles?

December 12, 2013
Written by Henry’s mum We’re in transition – that horrible halfway space between children’s...
Categories:
Carers, Community, People with a learning disability

Economic pen-pictures of Circles

December 12, 2013
Written by Martin Routledge, TLAP and In Control   A couple of weeks ago I stood...
Categories:
Community

Stories from Circles so far

November 11, 2013
Written by Caroline Tomlinson Yesterday I blogged about Circles of Support, the role of...
Categories:
Carers, Community, People with a learning disability

First impressions

November 11, 2013
Written by Rowan Hall, Communications Manager So I’m sat at a table with ten...
Categories:
Carers, Community, People with a learning disability, Wellbeing

Thinking about the future – aiming higher

November 11, 2013
Written by Suzie Franklin, Jennie’s mum Within the first couple of months of Jennie’s...
Categories:
Carers, Community, People with a learning disability, Wellbeing

Jennie’s Circle: releasing the worry

November 11, 2013
Written by Suzie Franklin, Jennie’s mum I like many parents of disabled children worried...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability, Wellbeing

Making connections, forming friendships and sharing resources, learning about ‘circles’

November 11, 2013
Written By Gillian Allan, Community Circles Facilitator in Edinburgh We run a ‘community circle’...
Categories:
Community

Turning dreams into realities

October 10, 2013
Written by Circle Facilitator, Helen Smith I am so excited to be involved in...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability, Wellbeing

Preparing social work students for the road ahead

October 10, 2013
Written by Ali Gardner, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) It is always...
Categories:
Community

Sarah’s Circle is the group that can change her world

October 10, 2013
Written by Cath Barton Driving home from my first of Sarah’s Circle meetings, I...
Categories:
Community, People with a learning disability

Why ‘Community Circles’?

September 9, 2013
by Max Neill If you look at the people who have led change in...
Categories:
Community
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