Autumn 2021: Another half dozen important Christchurch services supported

Autumn 2021: Another half dozen important Christchurch services supported

22 December 2021

In our October and November Trustee meetings, we were very pleased to provide support to six further local organisations providing valuable services to children, young people, those with dementia and their carers and families in need in the Christchurch area:

  • A grant of £5,000 to the LISTENING EAR who will use the sum to provide professional, confidential counselling and mental health support for children and young people in schools in Christchurch. They have strong links with local schools and see early intervention as important to improving children’s mental health and reducing truancy, school exclusions etc. 
  • A grant of £5,000 to the SOMERFORD YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE to pay towards the funding of the provision of non-food items for those who use the People’s Pantry in Somerford. This provides discounted food to around 170 families in the Christchurch area who are experiencing food poverty. With these funds they will also be able to provide two free non-food items (toilet rolls, bath, and oral hygiene and cleaning items).  
  • A grant of £2,850  to HONEYPOT CHILDREN’S CHARITY for their Wrapround support services for six Christchurch Young carers (aged 5 –12). This provides them with support including a residential break at the Honeypot House and online activities at the weekend and after school, helping the children with their isolation and to build their confidence. 
  • A grant of £2,990 to SOMERFORD ARC COMMUNITY CENTRE to assist them in the running of their ADaPT Café one day a week to help people living with Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and for their carers.  It is run partly by volunteers and gives support and helps those in need and their carers and the funds would also contribute towards counselling when needed.
  • A grant of £2,990 to COUNSELLING TOGETHER  for bursary funding to enable Christchurch residents on benefits or very low incomes to pay a reduced fee for their Counselling services. These are provided by accredited Counsellor in local churches with referrals from the NHS, Community Mental Health Teams,  GPs, and local churches.
  • A grant of £3,200 to HOME-START SOUTH EAST DORSET towards the costs of recruiting and training new volunteers living in the Christchurch area to provide support to disadvantaged/vulnerable families living in the Christchurch area who have young children. Their service is aimed to give the children the best start in life and the demand for their work is overwhelming.