Gloucester Community Networking
Better Together
Better Together
Gloucester Community Networking (GCN), is a small ‘Not for Profit Organisation’, that facilitates the networking between individuals and organisations for the betterment of all!
To 'strengthen' and 'build NETWORKS' between people in NEED and potential RESOURCES to meet those needs within the diverse communities in Gloucestershire.
Need: Since the Covid-19 pandemic there has been an increase of people coping with their mental ill health, many of whom are struggling in isolation.
Meeting this Need: GCN holds a monthly Wellbeing Matters group », based in Churchdown, which focuses on self-help resources to improve areas such as understanding stress and learning about destressing techniques. It has been invaluable, especially to those who have experienced isolation as they are able to come along and chat to other people over some soup and a hot drink.
Click image below to view
Nov 24 Edition of GCN's "The Networker"»
Join us this April 12th to 25th, 2025 at the heart of Gloucester City Centre for the Glos-FHub Pop-Up! We’re setting up a vibrant, temporary hub at East Gate Street Shopping Centre to bring together our Armed Forces communities.
This is your chance to connect, share, and celebrate with fellow veterans and supporters. Whether you’re looking to network, find support, or simply enjoy the camaraderie, the Glos-FHub Pop-Up is the place to be!
Our mission is clear: to gauge the footfall and usage of the Glos-FHub, paving the way for a permanent support hub in the future. We’re creating a dynamic networking space for organisations dedicated to supporting Armed Forces communities under the Armed Forces Covenant.
By fostering connections between local councils, veterans’ groups, and military charities, we’re building a stronger, more integrated support network. Come be a part of this exciting initiative and help shape the future of the Gloucestershire Integrated Forces Strategy (GIFS)
Christopher Auker-Howlett speaks to Dominic Cotter from BBC Gloucestershire & Wiltshire about this Forces Hub 'Proof of Concept' event taking place in the Eastgate Shopping Centre, opposite Specsavers (Southgate street entrance) each day between 12th and 25th April 2025.
Listen to the interview here »
Dominic Cotter
Find out more...»
Thursday, 8th May 2025
12.30pm - 2.30pm
St. John's Church, Churchdown
Status: Running
Thursday, 25th April 2025
12.30pm - 2.30pm
EASTGATE STREET SHOPPING CENTRE
(Opposite Specsaves)
Status: Running
Christopher Auker-Howlett was invited to speak with Dominic Cotter from the BBC Gloucestershire & Wiltshire Radio to promote the new Gloucestershire Forces Popup event. This takes place on 12th to 25th April at the Eastgate Shopping Centre, opposite Specsavers.
This event is aimed at providing proof of concept for a potential permanent Gloucestershire Forces Hub.
This event will build and strengthen the networks between the needs of the Gloucesterhire armed forces communities and the resources of the statutory and voluntary military and civilian organisations.
GCN took part in this year's Armed Forces Day, down at the Gloucester Quays
There was a good turn-out and the sun was shining down on us all day!
GCN's War Out Reach in Schools (WORS) » supported the:
'DDAY 80' - Sunday 9th June - Charity Fundraising Event.
An event was held between 28th May and 10th June at Longlevens Library to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of "Operation Overlord - D-Day" 6th June 1944.
GCN's Chris Auker-Howlett gave a D-Day Presenation at the Library on Saturday 1st June between 2pm and 3pm.
Our three main projects for are shown below. Click anywhere inside each Project Box for more information.
FA4A aims to provide General First Aid Mental Health courses for a minimum suggested donation:
Tailor made Awareness Courses for:
Mental Health Sessions
Monthly Wellbeing Group »
WORS aims to provide resources for Schools, Colleges, Youth & Elderly Groups and Public Events covering:
GIVS aims to strengthen and build on the networking of support for Veterans, Military Service personnel and their families in Gloucestershire in partnership with the following organisations :
Suicide Prevention Partnership »
Veterans' Forces Hub (FHUB) » in Churchdown (Location: GL3 Community Hub »)
GCN runs a monthly group called Forces Hub (FHUB) for Veterans, serving military personnel and their families, for all nationalities, where useful information can be shared regarding Gloucestershire's Armed Forces Covenant as well as training and employment opportunities. It is also a place to meet others in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere.
GCN also runs a monthly Wellbeing session, which is open to all members of the public and focuses on general wellbeing and mental health. The sessions offer resource and signposting services to promote wellbeing in the community.
Businesses that have helped GCN
The Big Yellow Storage Company, on Eastern Avenue Gloucester, has very generously provided GCN with two storage rooms (1 x 15foot sq & 1 x 25foot sq) for 24 months for FREE.
GCN has a collection of WW1 and WW2 uniforms and the Books from the ‘Geoff North -‘War’ & ‘Conflict’ Research Library and these items need to be kept in an environment that needs to be both secure and easily accessible.
The friendly staff at the Gloucester Store have been extremely generous and have been very helpful in ensuring we can access these storage containers whenever we need to, using their Security Codes and Padlocks.
Click HERE for information on other Organisations that have helped GCN.
One of the main projects GCN started with back in 2018 is named "Glos100" and initially ran throughout 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
This sub-site of GCN contains a lot of information and resources connected to War and Conflict from WW1 to present day. This sub-site will be added to from time to time.
We are thrilled to announce that we helped raise over £5,000 for various charities, such as:You can find a complete list of WW1 related events that have taken place by visting our Glos 100 Press Release page »
