THE CHARITIES

The Charities that benefit from the SHOWCASE are chosen by the Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Cllr Ian Dewey.

These are:

Bath & District Samaritans

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

In addition to our 24 hours a day 7 days a week telephone service, we offer vital work in schools, prisons, voluntary organisations and the business community, where we provide training in listening skills and insight into the importance of emotional health.

As the number of young people attempting suicide increases, new methods of communication, including social networking sites, MSN and texting are being developed – as they are familiar to a generation whose communications skills are so different from those which preceded them. Society is changing and we must change with it.

Currently we can be contacted not only by telephone and by visiting the branch, but also by email. Samaritans are available whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone. Each branch is a separate charity and Bath & District Samartians can be visited at 10 Newbridge Hill, Bath, telephoned on 01225 429222, or emailed at jo@samaritans.org

Children’s Hospice South West

In the South West alone, there are over 1000 children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. Children's Hospice South West was started to help these children and their families. The first children’s hospice in the South West, Little Bridge House, opened in Barnstaple, in 1995. The families receive respite, relaxation, friendship and a sense of community. The care team can share the 24-hour care of a very sick child and support the family in bereavement.

The demands on Little Bridge House increased to the extent that there became a vital need for a second children's hospice. The new hospice, Charlton Farm, opened in April 2007and is situated just outside Bristol in Wraxall, North Somerset. This has instantly doubled our provision and offers more choice to families so that they can remain close to home or take a complete break away from the area in which they live. It's an exciting time and Charlton Farm will now provide a much-needed facility for all our families in the South West. Now we have raised funds to build, equip and endow Charlton Farm with initial running costs, we will continue to need £6 million per year in the future to secure the provision of care from both hospices.

Thank you to Cllr Ian Dewey and Grenville Jones for their support of CHSW and nominating as a one of the beneficiaries of the 2008 Showcase.

For more information please contact:
Mrs Jane Powell, Community Fundraiser 
Children’s Hospice South West
Charlton Farm
Charlton Drive
Wraxall
Bristol, BS48 1PE
Tel:  01275 866600/ jane.powell@chsw.org.uk   Website:  www.chsw.org.uk

Midsomer Norton & Radstock Community Service Vehicle Trust

How it all began
In the early 1960s, the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton & Radstock had felt concerned for some time that the needs of local organisations with handicapped members were not being met. The Club raised an appeal to purchase a specially adapted vehicle for their use costing £1,325(!) that was commissioned in April 1967.

A Trust was formed (Registered Charity No 276166) and a Committee from user organisations.

The Trust today
The original aims to convey handicapped, disabled and infirm persons to their meetings, lunch clubs, church services and other events are still being fulfilled. Willing volunteers are still needed to drive the Minibus.

In 2006, a new vehicle was purchased (£34,518), the fifth since 1967. Present finances do not allow much saving towards future vehicle replacement.
This vehicle continues to be a lifeline towards maintaining the independence of the elderly in the Norton-Radstock area (10 million + UK people are disabled –
Source: Community Transport Association).  Thank you for your support!

Contacts: Hire Co-ordinator 01761 413975, Secretary/Treasurer 01761 413473

Crossroads Caring for Carers B&NES

Crossroads provides practical support to give carers much needed breaks from their caring role.

A Carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

A Carer Support Worker can take on the carer's role to give regular planned breaks of a few hours each week during the day, evening or weekend.
Our Support Workers are trained in the techniques of caring for people at home. For example: bathing, taking to the toilet, meal preparation and assistance with feeding.

Crossroads aims to offer continuity of staff and a reliable and flexible service.
Carers and people with care needs, who meet the eligibility criteria of Social Services or Continuing Health Care, are not charged for the service.
Donations allow us to increase the amount of care hours we provide.

For more information please contact: Crossroads Caring for Carers B&NES
1 Riverside Cottages, Radstock, BA3 3PS
Tel & Fax 01761 436673
enquiries@crossroadscarebathnes.org.uk
www.crossroadscarebathnes.org.uk

St John Ambulance

St John Ambulance `Be a brick` Appeal 2007/8 is being run in Bath to raise funds for our new HQ and garaging on the Lower Bristol Road.  We need £190K for the whole Appeal and to date we have raised some £143K.

Our new HQ is where our volunteers and ambulances and support vehicles are based and where first aid training takes place - real needs vital to both businesses and the community.
 
Our organisation is split into Badgers, Cadets, Youth (only one in the country) and Adults, depending on age.  In Bath we have about 70 volunteers. Our duties include such events as Bath Races, Bath Rugby, Theatre Royal and the Bath Half Marathon to name but a few. We are always on the look out for new recruits and leaders.

We are part of The Order of St John, whose foundation dates back over 900 years in Jerusalem .We in Bath have been rendering first aid to the community for almost 120 Years.

Contacts: Mrs Margaret Bartlett,  24 Ladymead House
 112 Walcot Street, Bath  BA1 5BG            
01225  480787
 Mr Michael Hill: 01225  424690

Wansdyke District Scouts

Wansdyke District Scouts serve the area of B&NES (excluding Bath) and have approximately 1,000 members. You may have seen our moment of fame in August 2007 when we held a Jamboree at Bath Race Course to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting. Scouting encourages young people to feel the buzz of a challenge be it a Scout abseiling down a cliff face or a Beaver staying away from home for the first time. Through our balanced programme we encourage teamwork, thought for others and awareness of the world around us.

This is made possible by a team of voluntary adult leaders. With award winning training and one-to-one support, all our volunteers get to make the best use of their skills and talents. It’s something different from the norm, and that’s why a lot of people like it.’  In fact, it’s what’s made Scouting the largest co-educational youth Movement in the country.

Whether you are 6 or 60 Scouting has room for you. Just call 0844 4142523 to start your adventure!

We are grateful to Cllr Ian Dewey for supporting our work in such a kind manner.