Four focused employees. Two departments. One mission, and one ever-present challenge.

The staff running the Barrington Recreation Department and Peck Center for Adult Enrichment use a team approach to accomplish their goal of providing services and experiences to Barrington residents of all ages. But despite the effort, dozens of unique opportunities still go underutilized or missed altogether, said Jean Bellm. 

“It is a secret,” said Bellm, who serves as director of both departments. “People don’t even know where we are.”

Bellm and her team are working to change that. 

They share program and event offerings online, in emails, and with a monthly printed newsletter for the Peck Center. January’s edition features pages of the weekly classes, games and other activities: Zumba Gold on Monday mornings, Qigong on Fridays, belly dancing on Tuesdays, and more. Residents can learn how to play Bridge on Monday afternoons or take a watercolor painting class, or sit in with the book club. 

The Peck Center for Adult Enrichment (it used to be called the senior center) offers weekly services (trips to the grocery store on Thursday afternoons), monthly excursions (a visit to the Providence Performing Arts Center to enjoy the Wurlitzer organ concerts on Feb. 4 and 26), and support groups (the Alzheimer’s caregivers met in early January and Parkinson’s Connection is planned for later this month). The center also offers lunch every weekday — on Wednesday, Jan. 7 the menu includes chicken soup, creamy dijon chicken, mixed vegetables, Spanish rice and sliced peaches. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day at the center. 

Bellm and her team also handle all the recreation department work. They coordinate athletic field scheduling with the local sports leagues, they run adult recreation programs (volleyball and badminton are offered from December through May) and organize events such as the recent tree lighting outside the town hall and the large-scale arts festival planned for late spring/early summer. 

“It really is two full departments and we’re trying to merge them together,” said Bellm. “I would say the senior side is a little easier, only because of the scope with recreation — we’re everywhere, the beach, camps, fields, theater…”

Balancing the two departments can be challenging, she said.

“The balance is with the staff, and long hours, because we’re here morning and night — 9 (a.m.) to 4 (p.m.) for the seniors, and then 4 to maybe 9 for recreation,” Bellm said. “So it is a long day, but it is an exciting adventure because we can do anything we want. If someone wants cooking, we’re going to do it. If someone asks for a bus trip, we’re going. Where do you want to go? We’ll do it. Anywhere. And if it’s a failure — it may be the time of year, or the group we went to — we will continue on. We have surveys often. There’s a new survey we put out today. We’re asking people what they want. And we want to give it.”

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey said Bellm has brought a lot of new ideas and great energy to the recreation and senior services departments. 

“Jean goes above and beyond,” Hervey said during an interview late last week. “When the opening came up (for the recreation and senior services director), it was an easy call. I knew she’d be great. Great ideas. No one brings more energy to the job than she does.” Bellm had previously worked as administrative assistant to the town manager. 

Hervey also praised the other members of Bellm’s “team.”

“She’s got a great staff to work with, who also bring a great energy and ideas to both senior and rec,” he said.

So much going on

Lisa Portier is the project manager for the Barrington Recreation Department, but her work occasionally crosses into the Peck Center for Adult Enrichment. 

Late last year, Portier and Lexi Guest spearheaded an effort to survey residents about the existing Kids Kove Playground and potential plans for a new playground and wellness path. Portier presented the survey results during a Barrington Town Council meeting and received rave reviews for the work. 

“There’s so much happening 9 to 4 that any time extra hands are necessary I’m always happy to help,” Portier said. “I feel like I’m a go-to person for flyer creation. I think I do a lot of the digital communications when it comes to that. The scope of recreation is very wide. I have to write it down. There’s so much going on I feel like I could forget.”

The energetic effort put forth by Bellm, Portier and the rest of the staff is starting to yield results. Bellm said they are seeing some increased interest in recreation programs and with the senior center. 

“… we’re bringing more and more people into this space because of the evening programs,” Bellm said. “So they’re walking in with their child for a program, and they’re like “Wow, my neighbor could be here. My mom could use this.’”

Getting residents inside the center is the key. Gail Savoie Candora greets folks at the Peck Center’s front desk.

“Everyone wants to be welcomed in. I’ve been here about a month and I’ve learned everyone’s names, which is very important. A lot of people it’s their big meal and interaction of the day. It’s very important to welcome them in and make them feel very happy to be here,” she said.

“We have a little bit of everything, but I think the most important thing is the friendships. A lot of these people live alone. When they come here, even if they’re nervous to start, people welcome them in. And there’s unlimited things for them to do. Even if you want to sit and have a cup of coffee and play cards with people, you’re welcome to do that. It’s just the most inviting group of people I’ve ever known in my life. And Jean’s wonderful. Jean’s like the mayor.”

Bellm said her work with the two departments may include long hours and some additional duties on the weekends, but the upside is immeasurable. 

“Maybe once a month, seniors will come up to me and say ‘You saved my life.’ It’s huge,” Bellm said. 

“People are happy. We completed a survey. We have a new survey for the seniors. And people are happy. That is what they’re saying.”