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Sample from our newsletter
Message from the Chief Executive ( Example )
Flaming June, as they say, well at least a few days were.
Here’s hoping July and August give us the opportunity to enjoy some sunshine.
Those of us based at Arkwright House are looking forward to sitting out in our
garden, resplendent with its new planting. Many thanks to John Montgomery.
Welcome this edition to yet more staff, Caron Livesey, joining the Footcare
team, Gina Berry, joining Advocacy, Julie Coverley, our new Heyday Co-ordinator,
Michael Chambers, new Driver at Withy Trees, and Chris McFarlane joining the
Flexible Outreach team.
Welcome also to Anne Richardson who joins us a trustee. Anne currently heads up
the Finance Team at St. Catherine’s Hospice. We hope to arrange an Induction for
Anne which will include visits to many services so hopefully some volunteers
will get to meet her soon.
April and May have seen a busy period for the Finance team as they prepare the
year end accounts. Although still to be signed of by trustees and members at the
Annual General Meeting, I am delighted to tell you that yet again we had a
record breaking year. We have finally done it – raised more than £1,000,000 (yes
£1million) in income and spent that money on delivering services to tens of
thousands of older people.
What a testament to your skills, professionalism, passion and care. I always say
we cannot do it without you but the value that can add to simple services by
caring and spending time with people is immeasurable and really does make a
difference.
Disappointing then to hear that we were unsuccessful in our nomination for the
Queens’ Award to Voluntary Service in this our Silver Jubilee Year. However, we
hope to be nominated again next year and who knows.
The last two months have seen us undertake the Fashion Show at Bamber Bridge,
congratulations to all involved. The first stage of the refurbishment at Withy
Trees is now complete and clients are back in familiar surroundings. Hopefully
the toilet improvements will not be long in happening. CCTV is about to be
installed at Arkwright House and we were awarded the Navajo Charter Mark for
being a Gay and Lesbian Friendly organisation.
Heyday is here. This is now the time of your life. I hope you will all consider
joining this new exciting organisation. Julie Coverley will be seeking you all
out soon to tell you all about it.
And finally, our Volunteer Forum in May. What an event! A record number of
attendees. Thank you. And thank you for your challenging contributions. Some
interesting questions and thoughts raised at the event which we aim to respond
to as comprehensively as we can.
So many points in fact that the feedback may have to take the form of a separate
flyer. I am glad that so many of you took the time to attend and share your
views with us. Many of the comments will be feeding in to the future discussions
of trustees and senior staff about how we deliver services and where there are
some gaps.
Till next time, thanks again for your contribution.
Linda Chivers
Community Services Department – Shopping Service
Making a Difference The entire Community Services offer a range of support and
the Shopping Service is no exception. We support service users with phone calls
e.g. to sort out household bills and we often refer people on to the Information
and Advice Department or the other Community Services available at Age Concern.
Being able to offer this help does make our jobs very rewarding.
We would like to offer a warm welcome our new supported shopping volunteer for
the South Ribble area Paula Houschild. We would also like to say a big thank you
to our existing volunteers who are out there shopping and supporting our service
users, offering practical support and taking the time to have a cup of tea and a
chat; it really can brighten someone’s day and make all the difference. If you
are interested in a volunteering role with the shopping service please contact
Sylvia 552865.