Springbank Community Group CiC

02/10/2026

🌎✈️ Imagine You Were Liam: How Peace Camp Changed a Life 🌎✈️

Imagine you were Liam.

In 2017, life felt uncertain. You weren’t in education, didn’t have a settled place to call home and had little reason to trust the adults around you. A youth worker kept showing up, offering support without pressure. For six weeks you said no. Then one morning, you said yes to breakfast.

That small moment became the start of a trusting relationship. With time, encouragement and opportunities to try new things, you returned to education and began volunteering at youth club.

Then came an invitation to join Peace Camp in Toruń, Poland. You’d never travelled outside the UK. It was a huge step, but you took it. You made friends, joined in and discovered you were capable of far more than you had imagined.

This year, Liam came back to Peace Camp as an independent adult to share his story with the young people taking part. He spoke about the difference that one invitation, steady support and a chance to belong had made to his life.

Liam’s journey hasn’t been straightforward, but it reminds us that a young person’s circumstances today don’t have to define their future. Thank you, Liam, for sharing your experience, and to Cheltenham International Partnerships for helping make Peace Camp possible. 💛🌍

📖 You can read Liam’s full story in the photos attached.

02/10/2026

🧡 ADHD Awareness Month 🧡

ADHD is part of life for children, young people and adults, and it can affect everyone differently. Understanding, acceptance and the right support can make a real difference.

At Springbank Community Group, we want people and families to feel welcome and included. Our sessions offer opportunities to connect, take part and build confidence in a supportive environment. We also offer ADHD coaching with Mollie, with practical support tailored to the individual.

Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, your child or someone in your family, get in touch to find out more.

Let’s keep listening, learning and making sure people with ADHD feel understood and valued. 🧡

01/10/2026

We've teamed up with for something exciting happening around town in association with Cheltenham BID

From 18 September, post boxes will be popping up around Cheltenham, including at Springbank Community Group.

Drop in, choose a prompt and get writing with Postmarked - our FREE letter-writing project inviting you to share a story, write to your future self or capture something about the place you call home.

Then, post your letter on its way and become part of something bigger as we gather your words, thoughts and stories at the Festival.

📮 Find a post box.
✍️ Pick a prompt.
💌 Write your story.

25/09/2026

The cafe will be closing at 1pm today!

24/09/2026

Just a reminder that our books are open and you can place your christmas cake orders now!

23/09/2026

⚠️ Parents and carers: please take a few minutes to read this.

Ketamine use among young people is no longer a distant issue that families can assume will not affect them. It is becoming increasingly available and is reaching children at a frighteningly young age.

The latest figures provide a stark warning:

📊 Ketamine use among 16–24-year-olds increased by 231% between 2013 and 2024.

📊 Almost 1,500 children under 18 receiving drug or alcohol treatment in England during 2024/25 reported problems with ketamine.

📊 The number of people entering treatment for ketamine problems rose from 426 in 2014/15 to 5,365 in 2024/25—more than a twelvefold increase.

📊 An NHS England survey found that 11% of 15-year-olds had been offered ketamine.

Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic. Recreational use can cause confusion, hallucinations, memory problems, loss of coordination and unconsciousness. Regular use can permanently damage the bladder and kidneys, leaving some young people in severe pain, incontinent or needing significant medical treatment before reaching adulthood.

Warning signs can include:

🔵 Appearing confused, detached or unusually drowsy

🔵 Slurred speech, poor coordination or unsteady movement

🔵 Becoming withdrawn, secretive or experiencing sudden mood changes

🔵 Changes in friendships, school attendance or behaviour

🔵 Missing money or frequently asking for unexplained amounts

🔵 Small bags containing white powder, rolled notes, cards or straws

🔵 Constantly needing the toilet, pain when urinating, blood in the urine or unexpected bed-wetting

One sign alone does not mean a young person is taking drugs. However, several signs or a significant change should not be ignored.

Please have the conversation, even if it feels uncomfortable. Stay calm, ask open questions and listen without immediately judging or threatening punishment. A young person who feels safe is far more likely to be honest and accept help.

💬 Young people can speak confidentially with a member of our youth work team for advice and support. If their needs are beyond what we can provide directly, we can help them and their family access or be referred to the appropriate specialist service. Nobody needs to face this alone.

🚨 If somebody is unconscious, cannot be woken, is struggling to breathe or has a seizure after taking any substance, call 999, place them in the recovery position and stay with them.

One informed conversation could protect a young person from lasting harm.

Read the article here:

🔗 https://metro.co.uk/2026/09/23/a-ketamine-boom-among-13-year-olds-spot-child-taking-29646089/

23/09/2026

We are still absolutely buzzing from Peace Camp 2026!

We were pleased to support the recent Peace Camp, which brought together 18 young people and leaders from Cheltenham, Göttingen and Toruń for a week-long international youth exchange based in Gloucestershire.

The programme combined outdoor adventure, citizenship activities, cultural exchange and informal learning, giving young people the opportunity to live, learn and spend time together while sharing experiences, building confidence and making new friendships.

A huge thank you to Springbank Community Group CiC for organising the programme with support from Cheltenham International Partnerships Association (C**A), alongside visiting leaders from Göttingen and Toruń. Springbank Community Group also raised the funds for the camp through the support of sponsors, local organisations and individuals, as well as a range of fundraising events and activities.

Councillor Martin Horwood, Mayor of Cheltenham, said: "The Peace Camp has been a fantastic opportunity for young people from Cheltenham, Göttingen and Toruń to spend time together, make new friends and learn about each other's cultures. The friendships and experiences they've gained over the week are something they can take forward long after the programme has ended. I'd like to thank everyone who worked so hard to organise and support this successful exchange."


Punchline Gloucester Glosinfo Gloucestershire Live BBC Gloucestershire Cheltenham Post Newspaper Visit Cheltenham Cheltenham Borough Council housing services

22/09/2026

We’re looking forward to welcoming our Stay and Play families this morning from 9.30am to 11.00am! 🧸

We have some lovely new toys to explore, both indoors and outside.

Sessions are completely free, with snacks for the little ones and a coffee for the grown-ups accompanying them. ☕🍎

Come along, have some fun and meet other local families, we look forward to seeing you!

21/09/2026

🕊️ International Day of Peace 2026 🕊️

Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is created when people feel safe, included, respected and able to belong.

Throughout this year, our team has worked to build that kind of peace across Cheltenham and beyond.

🌍 We welcomed 27 participants from Cheltenham, Göttingen and Toruń to the 31st International Peace Camp. Through a week focused on positive and meaningful activity, they shared cultures, challenged stereotypes, developed confidence and formed friendships across borders.

💬 Through our youth clubs, school-based sessions, street outreach and residential experiences, we have created safe spaces where young people can be heard, supported and encouraged to reach their potential.

🌈 Through Ignite and Steps to Adulthood, we have helped neurodivergent young people build friendships, independence and confidence in environments where they are understood and accepted.

🥫 Through our Community Food Pantry, Community Café and free holiday provision, we have supported families experiencing hardship—because peace is difficult to achieve when people are worried about food, warmth or whether they can meet their basic needs.

💻 Through our Digi Hub, wellbeing work, community events and partnerships, we have helped reduce isolation and bring people together.

None of this work happens in isolation. It is made possible by our young people, families, staff, volunteers, partners, funders and supporters who believe that stronger, kinder and more connected communities are possible.

On this International Day of Peace, we reaffirm our commitment to listening, inclusion, cooperation and creating opportunities for people from every background.

Peace starts with how we treat one another and every positive relationship helps to build it. 💙

21/09/2026

Due to staff sickness the cafe will be closed today!

We apologise for the inconvenience and normal service will resume tomorrow!