Wirral Donate - Newsletter - Summer 2011 - Donations - Charity

MS Society - Wirral Branch

This period has seen the successful piloting, and then the official start-up, of yet another therapy initiative – Tai Chi for MS. The Tai Chi classes are run early evening to provide an outlet for those with MS who are in work. Supporters including immediate family, carers and friends are also welcomed. Due to the mixed ability levels we run two classes consecutively; one seated, to include wheelchair users, and one for those who can stand.
The pilot sessions were so successful that we soon had to move on to larger premises. Now at the Hope Centre in Pensby we have excellent hall and lounge facilities. Many members enjoy the socialising at least as much as the exercise. An MS community has now developed where people of all ages and abilities mix in an every day way without feeling uncomfortable or out of place. We are indebted to our supporters without whom we would be unable to sustain this project, in addition to all the other therapies and services we are able to offer. We are delighted to announce that the “Tai Chi for MS” project has been shortlisted as one of four finalists for a “Spirit of Merseyside” award under the category of Health and Wellbeing.
	A project video has been recorded for the award ceremony in early June and will be viewable on the Wirral Donate website at www.wirraldonate.co.uk from June 2011.


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Wirral Donate
NEWS

Wirral Donate NEWS is a newsletter that is produced every six months and will keep you up-to-date on the goings-on of our six charities. Wirral Donate NEWS is also available in pamphlet form. Please contact us for more information. We have an archive of Newsletters and the links for each of these are listed below.

May 2011

Nov 2010 March 2010 Sept 2009 March 2009 Sept 2008 Sept 2007 Feb 2007

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May 2011 Newsletter

"Thank You"

During my recent tenure as the Mayor of Wirral, I was very proud to have met so many charitable organisations in the course of my year in office. It has been evident that people are very generous when asked to contribute to a charity, and even when times are hard, people will always dig a little bit deeper in order to help others.

There are many ways donations, large or small, can make such a difference to people’s lives. I am pleased that there are a number of Wirral Borough Council employees, as well as many others, who generously donate through their salaries, to improve the lives of those they will never know.

On behalf of Wirral Donate, can I say a big “THANK YOU” to all of those big hearted people who don’t turn a blind eye when charity is asked for, but spare a thought to assist those not so fortunate.

Alan Jennings

Wirral Autistic Society

On Wednesday 2nd March 2011, Wirral Autistic Society’s new purpose built centre, The Ferns, was officially opened by HRH The Countess of Wessex.

The Countess took time out from a busy schedule to visit the state-of-the-art respite centre and, accompanied by our President, The Duke of Westminster, toured the facility, chatted to staff, trustees, parents and many of those who helped make the centre a reality through their fundraising efforts.

The Countess was greatly impressed by what she saw and is committed to supporting organisations like ourselves as much as she can. “It was a fantastic opportunity for many of those involved in The Ferns to meet the Countess and show her how proud we are of the centre and the benefits it will bring to people with autism and their families”. said Rick Myers, Fundraising Officer for the Society.

After the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, The Countess was presented with a posy of flowers by Michelle Seddon, Manager of the centre. The Duke of Westminster and HRH The Countess of Wessex signed the visitor’s book before leaving the Centre.

Crossroads Care

For many family members and friends of people with dementia it can be a sad and lonely time. So we are pleased to announce two new services to support carers of individuals with memory difficulties to cope better and for longer at home, with Crossroads Care’s practical support. Dementia/Palliative Service: Support for people with dementia and their families from the palliative diagnosis to the end of life, in a flexible way (including night sitting if needed), meeting the needs of the individuals and their carers. Our aim is to support quality of life for people with dementia whilst enabling them to die with dignity at home whilst supporting carers during and, sometimes, after bereavement.
Dementia Crisis Service: A crisis or emergency response service providing enhanced support delivered, which can be up to 24-hour care and for up to 6 weeks. We aim to provide flexible care for people with Dementia and their carers at times of crisis, giving opportunities to stabilise and assess situations, as well as preventing inappropriate hospital or residential care admissions.

		Further details on these or any other Crossroads Care service, contact Angela Connally [Locality Manager] on 0151 343 1960. www.crossroadscaring.com

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Age UK Wirral (formerly Age Concern Wirral)


In 2008 Age Concern England and Help the Aged merged to form Age UK, the new force for older people. In May this year, Age Concern Wirral joined over 90% of local Age Concerns around the UK in taking on the new brand, adopting the working name of Age UK Wirral. However, that is the only change! We remain an independent, local charity, raising our own funds and deciding our own activities and aiming to promote the well-being of older people here in Wirral and give them the best possible quality of life. All donations we receive, and all funds we raise, are spent here in our Borough, providing a wide range of services and activities that offer information and support, friendship and care, and opportunities to keep active and independent.
In these difficult economic times and with an ever changing society, we really need your support to ensure that we can sustain these services and remain responsive to the changing needs and aspirations of older people in our community.

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Wirral Resource Centre for Special Needs Children

We are a specialised centre offering OFSTED regulated play therapy sessions to premature babies and pre-school children with special needs. Apart from our qualified team of staff and volunteers, we have a full range of professionals who visit, including Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Neo-Natal Nurses. Currently, we have 100 children who attend sessions, which are designed to enrich and develop each child’s individual need. We apply specialist techniques mainly through play activities both indoors in the nursery and light room, as well as outdoors in the adventure playground and sensory garden. We have a Coffee Lounge which offers an opportunity to chat over refreshments, or a quiet time out, for parents and carers.
The centre has recently had new windows fitted, thanks to a charitable trust. In addition, we have been able to offer parents/carers the opportunity for a more private room, to have time on their own or professional consultations.
	We are still very busy raising money for much needed funds and have recently held our annual Gala Evening at the Adelphi in Liverpool. Please visit our website www.wirralresource.co.uk for the chance to win a week’s holiday in a luxury villa in the Algarve. Tel: 0151 608 8288 Email: wirralresource@btconnect.com

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Wirral Talking Newspaper


The Talking Newspaper, with the kind cooperation of the Wirral News and Wirral Globe, continues to serve the blind and partially-sighted residents of the Wirral, keeping them abreast of all local issues, news and events. Christmas saw our Chairperson Alan Powell retire from his position. He felt that after 14 years it was time for a change. Alan, a local headmaster, was invited to read the news on his retirement from teaching in the early 1990’s. Subsequently he became a very popular magazine presenter and we are happy to say, despite his retirement, he is to continue in this role. He has been a tireless ambassador for the charity, giving many fund raising talks to a wide variety of interested groups. Our new Chairperson is Pat Thew who has been with the Newspaper for over ten years and is a tireless volunteer being Head of the Reader Section, a Magazine Presenter and Team Leader in the Registrar’s Section. We all wish her well in her new role.
	The Wirral Talking Newspaper is an entirely free service and is only possible because of your continued, generous support. Thank you on behalf of all our listeners.

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