Voluntary Action Coventry has been making people a little stronger since 1957, supporting hundreds of people into community roles each year. We are a nice bunch and have an open-door policy. Give us a try.

We engage adults of all ages and physical abilities from all areas of Coventry. Whether new to the city, a student from overseas, a migrant, bereaved, retired, a new parent, just out of hospital, dealing with an illness or condition that limits their ability to get out, or just out of practice with socialising and getting more active and ‘out there.’

You may feel isolated, or a little bit stuck about taking the next step.  Through our projects Chat Central and Active Central we build people up to explore their interests and occupations and start doing the things they want to do. This might be:

• meeting new friends
• rediscovering interests or finding new ones
• building confidence through trying new things in groups and having fun
• increasing connections through social networks, advice seeking and improving people’s feelings of isolation
• getting around Coventry
• group volunteering or community activity
• getting into healthy routines and light exercise
• we work with what people can do not what they can’t do

If you want to take part in any of the activities as a participant and/or a volunteer – please do let us know and we will keep you informed.  When referring someone to us, please ensure that you have their consent in doing so. Click here to read more about our aims, values and expectations when you attend our events.

Celia Monaghan (Engagement Officer Chat Central) 07541343491 Email: c.monaghan@vacoventry.org.uk   chatcentral@vacoventry.org.uk

Sarah Taylor  (Project Assistant, Chat Central) 07729 290 317 Email: s.taylor@vacoventry.org.uk        chatcentral@vacoventry.org.uk

Activity Timetable

Our activities for the month ahead are here! Or if you prefer a bit of colour, view our July flyer here - available to download and pin to the fridge!

		JULY 2024
Tues 2nd July	9:45 - 11:00am	Bowls	Coventry Avenue Bowling Club Gaveston Road CV6 1GZ	FREE
Weds 3rd July	11:15am - 12:45pm	Tennis	Spencer Park Tennis Courts Spencer Road CV5 6NQ	FREE Equipment provided
Fri 5th July	10:00 – 11:30am	Mission Possible: Pick ‘n’ Mix. City walk + Litter-picking	Meet at the Canal Basin Steps CV1 4LY	FREE
Weds 10th July	11:15am – 12:45pm	Tennis	Spencer Park Tennis Courts Spencer Road CV5 6NQ	FREE Equipment provided
Weds 10th July	5:45 – 7:45 pm	Underground Lights Community Theatre Open Mic Show	St Mary’s Guildhall Bayley Lane CV1 5RN	Ticketed event. Please contact Chat Central for a FREE place
Thurs 11th July	2:00 – 4:00 pm	Craft with Linda	United Reformed Church, Warwick Road CV1 4DX	FREE
Fri 12th July	10:00 – 11:30pm	Mission Possible: Pick ‘n’ Mix. City walk + Litter-picking	Meet at the Canal Basin Steps CV1 4LY	FREE
Sun 14th July	1:45  – 3:45pm	Bands in the Park	War Memorial Park CV3 6PT	FREE
Mon 15th July	10:00am – 12:00pm	Wellbeing Walk with Talk with EnV	Priory Visitor Centre 6 Priory Row, CV1 5EX	FREE Call to book your free place by 5th July
Tues 16th July	2:00 – 4:00pm	Pool meetup	Rileys Sports Bar Butts Rd CV1 3JZ	FREE
Weds 17th July	6:15 – 7:45pm	Canoe *You must be able to swim to attend this event All equipment provided	Coventry Canal Basin St. Nicholas Street CV1 4LY	Limited spaces so please contact Chat Central to book your FREE place
Thurs 18th July	TBC Late afternoon/early evening	Chat Central Celebration	Priory Visitor Centre 6 Priory Row, CV1 5EX	FREE and open to all past participants
Fri 19th July	10:00 – 11:30am	Mission Possible: Pick ‘n’ Mix. City walk + Litter-picking	Meet at the Canal Basin Steps CV1 4LY	FREE
Tues 23rd July	10:30am – 1:00pm	Mission Possible: Creating the Community Garden at CROW	Crow Recycling Sparkbrook Street Industrial Estate, Hillfields CV1 5LB	FREE Walk from Pool Meadow at 10:00 or meet there at 10:30
Thurs 25th July	2:00 – 4:00pm	Quiz and Games Session	United Reformed Church, Warwick Road CV1 4DX	FREE
Fri 26th July	10:00 – 11:30am	Mission Possible: Pick ‘n’ Mix. City walk + Litter-picking	Meet @ Canal Basin Steps CV1 4LY	FREE

Volunteer with us!

Would you like to make a difference through volunteering? Then join the Chat Central team as a volunteer and help with refreshments or activity planning. You will receive training, a rewards card, travel expenses paid and the chance to socialise with other volunteers.  It's a great way to increase work experience, build confidence and keep busy doing something that makes you feel good!

Click here to find out more about Chat Central Volunteering roles 

Follow us!

To see what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Need immediate mental health support? Call the Mental Health Matters 24-hour Coventry helpline on 0800 616171

Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing

Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing is a free, online tool providing self-care information to support adults, children and young people in Coventry and Warwickshire. Self-care information is tailored to a person’s own needs and the challenges they face and is available 24/7. Click here to Use Dimensions. Click here to view our animation about how Dimensions can support you.If you have any feedback on the tool, please email. dimensions@covwarkpt.nhs.uk.

Read more about what people have said about our projects:

"I feel a lot less lonely and closer to people after being involved with Chat Central, it has really improved my wellbeing." Participant

"I don't speak to my friends about my Mental Health so talking to Nicky from Chat Central for Youth really helps me. Especially with my confidence in talking to other people. Since I have started speaking with Nicky I feel a lot less anxious in talking on the phone. I noticed I can open up a lot better to them and that makes me feel a lot better through the week." Participant

"Clearly you have the magic touch. When I last spoke to my client they sounded so much more confident than they had on other occasions and the only thing that had changed was meeting yourself. Thank-you so much for your support with this person, hopefully this is now a positive step forward."  Employability Coach

"Thanks again for having me! It was a wonderful afternoon. The group was very kind and welcoming and everyone was so open to trying new things! It was a very relaxed and inclusive environment where everyone could get involved and people supported each other. Very lovely and feel-good to be a part of! If you ever would like to do another session let me know! Rosanna, Yoga Instructor

"Chat Central has helped me a great deal , it makes me feel l belong to a community. I was becoming isolated before l found this group and afraid l would loose my confidence with people." Participant

"I am able to meet new people and talk to them to know more about the city and opportunities that I can get involved with. I tried a new activity that I have never done before." Participant

"Chat Central signposted me to support around ASD and suitable social events." Participant 

"Thinking about my life and acknowledging the things that I already have and thinking about how I can get more support. Nicky sent me some suggestions for maternity yoga groups, family hubs and since I started yoga I made a couple of new friends." Participant

"Having to talk to people pushes me to be more social and boosts my confidence around others," Participant