Like many organisations Winton House Centre had to close or drastically scale back activities during the recent lockdowns. With all our volunteers ‘locked up’ staff were able to keep Petersfield Voluntary Care Group (PVCG) hospital transport service running for those who were able and had to make hospital visits. Our Pop In café opened with restrictions in the Autumn. All other activities ceased. However, we have taken advantage of the lockdowns to undertake the renovation of the rear of our building to create much better premises for Home Start Butser, and to a new room for hire by members of the community. The refitting and modernisation of the Pop In kitchen is in the planning stage.

The past year has also seen some changes of personnel at Winton House Centre. During the first lockdown period in 2020 we were joined by Sarah Moss, as our new Centre Manager, and early in 2021 Robert Venables retired as Chairman to be replaced by myself (Charles Bevan), who as Treasurer, has been replaced by Chris Golding.

Taking advantage of the lockdown, twenty four Pop In volunteers have completed level 2 in Food Hygiene.

With new faces and renovated facilities, we are looking forward to the complete lifting of lockdown in June 2021 when we hope to re- open the Pop In, and resume full support for PVCG. If you think you might like to join our team of volunteers please visit our Volunteering page for more information.