CHARITIES

CHARITY NEWS ...

Refugee Aid from Taunton (RAfT): Charity No:1180367

Unit 4, Enterprise Park, Priorswood Road, Taunton TA2 8FR (next to Grubs Up)
Opening times for donations are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10.00 to 2.00pm.
Dedicated RAfT mobile phone which is available to take calls during our opening hours: 07965245284.

The excitement for RAfT volunteers continues with an invitation for two people to attend a Palace Garden Party. However, I shall not be going! Posh frocks and hats are not my thing (and we will be on holiday!). But Keith and I did go to London to a premier of a promotional video made by Premier Inn with our charity partners ‘Hope and Aid Direct’. It illustrated how the two organisations are working together to send out to Ukraine convoy shipments of mattresses, duvets and pillows being replaced on Premier Inn’s regular upgrade system. The joy of those people receiving a mattress on which to sleep, rather than a pallet was a real ‘tear-jerker’. We were told that clients who book with Premier Inn will be sent a link to the video with their booking confirmation. If you use these hotels, do look out for this.
Meanwhile, the day-to-day work continues with shipment 589 leaving the warehouse on its way to Afghanistan today (13th Feb) and shipment 590 will be starting its journey to Ukraine next week (20th). This is mostly good quality clothing and blankets, with some small items of medical aid such as bandages, crutches, orthopaedic boots and incontinence pads.
We continue to support people housed locally, supplying clothing and small household items. Suitcases seem to be a particular request as families are moved around frequently.
As I write this our ‘in bay’ for donations is all but empty, so we hope that people having a spring clean of their wardrobes will think of us.

Elaine Dew

Care and Relief for Children (C.R.Y.):

By reflecting on the achievements of last year, we draw courage and strength to gear up to the opportunities and challenges that the new year holds. 2023 was the most impactful year since the Charity was established in 1992: CRY provided £389,591 worth of aid and support to 54 Children’s projects in 38 nations. In December, the commitment to supporting vulnerable children went above and beyond to ensure that children experienced a joyful, memorable, and safe Christmas. Thousands of special meals and presents were successfully delivered to children worldwide. CRY is delighted to partner with the work of Hasken Arewa Foundation, which supports out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria to reignite their educational journey. Many of these children suffer poverty, loss of parents to banditry and other challenges. CRY introduced ‘CRY Collaboration Magazine’ before Christmas. It is a collaboration of journalists, artists, and photographers from around the world and connected to CRY’s work. They share about hope, love, and joy with their readers in their own creative ways. 

Further information about C.R.Y. available on website www.cry.org.uk
Postal enquiries to: Care and Relief for the Young, Upper Northam Road, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 4BZ.

Francis Lewis

Action for Children:

Publicity for Campaign ‘Children at the Table’, a safe and happy childhood.
Action for Children believes that the UK could be the best place in the world for children but, right now, it isn’t. Only a third of adults feel optimistic about the future for children living in the UK. The Charity is joining with other prominent Children’s Charities to launch the new campaign, the aim of which is to influence political parties to commit to a set of policies to transform childhoods in the UK. A petition has been set up for people to sign to give the campaign backing and to call on the next Prime Minister to be a champion for children and to put them at the heart of government. The aim is to end child poverty; get mental health support when they need it; and to transform the care system so all children may grow up in a safe and loving home.

Other things highlighted this month:

1. Encouraging random acts of kindness.
2. Publicity for the Stephenson Awards Ceremony 2024 on 18th June. These Awards recognise the work of their supporters, volunteers, carers, and staff members, and the achievements of the children, young people and families they support. They also recognise staff who have reached long service milestones at Action for Children.
3. John Lewis Partnership has launched a new ‘Building Happier Futures’ tote bag, designed by 18-year-old Care Experienced designer Michael Archibald in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi. The aim is to create opportunities for talented care-experienced designers. These bags are available in Waitrose and John Lewis stores and online at a cost of £12 each.
4. Examples of how love and support has helped transform the lives of many children and young people.
5. ‘You can Care’ week 12th - 18th February was dedicated to raising awareness about careers in social care. 

Full information on Action for Children projects etc. is available at news@actionforchildren-email.org.uk.

Francis Lewis

Somerset Community Foundation

1. A record £185,000 raised so far this year in ‘Surviving Winter’ appeal.
2. Fairy Hill Market Garden helped by SWEF Enterprise Grant to bring sustainable locally grown food to local people. The grants are available to young people aged 18 – 35 setting up in business.
3. ‘Countrymen UK’ helping men from rural backgrounds living with conditions such as Dementia.
4. Grant towards Wild Coasts project of Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Contact details for information and making donations is Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, The Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN. Tel 01749 344949. Email: info@somersetcf.org.uk.

Francis Lewis

MHA Newsletter

MHA Sunday this year will be 9th June and the theme will be the Parable of the Mustard Seed in Mark 4: 30-32. Resources available at info@mha.org.uk  Last year an estimated amount of £170,000 was raised.

Other news items include:

1. Art imitating life at MHA Brookfield in Oxford.
2. Visit by therapy dogs to Moorland House, Hathersage.
3. Board Games and Puzzles etc. at The Herons at Toton Nr Nottingham. 

For further information visit info@mha.org.uk

Francis Lewis

Taunton Welcomes Refugees

Thank you to all of the individuals and churches who have continued to support our work at TWR – by fund raising, gifts, offers of household items, and general support – not to mention your prayers. Thank you too, to all those churches or individuals who have befriended those who are far from home and in a strange culture. We should not underestimate the value of a smiling and welcoming face, or of a safe and warm place!

Only 30 months ago we were a very small charity supporting about 20 Syrian families. Now we have ‘grown like Topsy’! At the last count had over 60 volunteers, are probably supporting about 200 individuals, and find ourselves offering eight different types of activities. We continue to support all those who are seeking refuge (both those who are resettled refugee families, and those who are currently hoping to be given refugee status) without distinction or discrimination. Our work with the Syrian families has moved on to general encouragement, as they apply for ‘indefinite leave to remain’ and then, in many cases, British Citizenship (which is not as easy as it might sound!). They are making a fantastic contribution to our communal life here, and we are so proud of them. Likewise, we continue to support Afghan and Ukrainian families as they have come to live among us. Our work among asylum seekers is also on-going, either through our Coffee & Conversations Session, thorough individual befriending, or through working alongside other charities and the statutory agencies with asylum seekers in pre-dispersal accommodation.

Most of our work is just about ‘being there’ and listening, sometimes it is giving practical help – and nearly always it is also helping with language.

As ever, more work requires more people! We still need new trustees who can help us consolidate or expand our work, plus I will be standing down at the end of the year, so we are also seeking a new training co-ordinator. If you are able to help (or know anyone who might be interested) in the role of either

Chair of Trustees or Training Co-ordinator please contact admin@tauntonwelcomesrefugees.co.uk for further information. Thank you.

Lynne Mayers

Charities and other Organisations Needing Your Support
or That Can Offer Support to You ...

LOCAL PANTRY ROWBARTON:

The Pantry is running smoothly with 40 members on our list. Some have moved on due to an improvement in their circumstances and this is always a good thing to see. We have 2 new people who have been added to the waiting list, but due to others moving on, their wait will be short.
We have just returned after our two-week break over Christmas. The members were pleased with the Christmas extras that we are able to supply, thanks to the generosity of donations and remaining grant money. Also, it was with thanks that Christmas Sparkle supplied the children with presents. For the second year the pantry was the named charity for the giving tree in Morrisons.
Donations have come in from members of the church and we are very grateful for these and extend our thanks. It allows us to provide extra staples that the members may not be able to provide for their families.
We were saddened by the loss of Sue who had been a volunteer with the pantry since the beginning.
As always, we rely on the time and effort put in by the volunteers and are  so grateful for this. 

If you know of anyone who may need the help we can offer or if you would like to join the scheme as a volunteer or member, please contact the team, by emailing Rowbartonpantry@gmail.com. You can also visit our Facebook page.

Gillian Flick (Team Leader)

THE FILO PROJECT:


Visit The FILO Project website https://www.thefiloproject.co.uk/ for more information

DISASTERS EMERGENCY  COMMITTEE (DEC):
Launched in 1963 the DEC is made up of 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. They come together to speak in one voice and make fundraising more efficient when we launch an appeal. Our members fund our running costs, and we give them back the money we raise in our appeals to carry out their vital work. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. We use a set of criteria to decide when we launch an appeal in response to a disaster overseas and ensure we work effectively. The UK government often agrees to a limited matched funding, and UK taxpayers can 'gift aid' their donation adding a further 25% at no cost.

Active appeals where you can donate online include the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, the Pakistan Floods Appeal, and the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. There are additional methods of making a donation that can be found on the website.

SITUATION IN UKRAINE & EMERGENCY APPEALS:

There will be a 'prayer station' set up in Temple from Wednesday to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia.

Following recent collections for the Ukraine appeal we have been able to send a cheque for £556. Thank you. 

Prayers for Ukraine
Statement on Ukraine from the Methodist Presidency


ALL WE CAN and the Methodist Church in Britain have launched an emergency appeal in response to events unfolding in Ukraine. As communities face violence, upheaval, and the trauma of war, your urgent support is needed. Working together with the Global Relationships Team of the Methodist Church in Britain, donations will be used to support the response to the crisis unfolding in Ukraine, and ensure that critical humanitarian assistance is available to those who need it. https://www.allwecan.org.uk/donations/ukraine/


The DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE have launched a Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal for families fleeing the conflict having left their homes with only the items they were able to carry. Funds are needed to help provide food, water, shelter, healthcare and protection. At Ukraine’s borders with Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, huge numbers of people are arriving with only what they can carry. In many places there are long waits to cross and scant facilities waiting for them on the other side, with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight. Donations can be made at https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal


UNICEF is rapidly scaling up its multi-sectoral response to the increasing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and among refugees in neighbouring countries. Ensuring the protection and well-being of women and children is central to UNICEF's response efforts. Multi-purpose cash transfers will be undertaken to support vulnerable households with children. UNICEF will also provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as the resumption of primary health care and nutrition services and will work to enroll displaced children in local education programmes. Donations can be made at https://www.unicef.org/appeals/ukraine

TRAIDCRAFT
Traidcraft plc is a trading company which imports a huge variety of artisan products and groceries from the developing world. All the products are Fairly-traded, the profits going straight to the producers to help them to sustain their families through employment.

Temple supports and promotes the aims of TRAIDCRAFT. It is hoped at some time in the future Temple will be able to offer a limited selection TRAIDCRAFT goods. Until then TRAIDCRAFT catalogues are available to anyone who wishes to peruse at their leisure what TRAIDCRAFT offers or you can see all available products on the TRAIDCRAFT Website - www.traidcraftshop.co.uk 

SAFE FAMILIES
Safe Families are looking for volunteers in Somerset who might be able to support a family virtually through telephone or video calls. Certain people may also be free to pick up shopping, but staying in contact through this period of isolation is a priority need. There is a checking process, training and oversight for any volunteers. (Don't be put off by this - it probably just means joining a short virtual training session.)

If anyone feels they are in a position to help in this way, you are able to sign up on the volunteer website page.

You can find out more about the work of the charity from the website www.safefamilies.uk, and - whether you are able to volunteer practically or not - we are encouraged to pray for their work.

TAUNTON FOOD BANK
The latest update is that they are doing ok for volunteers and the Council has given them delivery vans and drivers. However, they would welcome additional supplies. Please find details on Taunton Foodbank website of their updated list of items to shop for and also how to donate if you are unable to go out shopping.

CHRISTIAN AID
For details about Christian Aid and the work they do see www.christianaid.org.uk


ALL WE CAN
In the world’s poorest communities people are having to face coronavirus without access to running water and soap. Living in cramped and unhygienic conditions, social distancing simply isn’t possible. All We Can and the Methodist Church in Britain have launched an Emergency Coronavirus Appeal to help equip vulnerable communities across the globe to combat coronavirus. 

YOUR NEIGHBOUR
YourNeighbour.org, aims to support the work that churches are doing to be good neighbours in communities across the UK during the coronavirus crisis. They will support vulnerable, people working as a coordinated national response, partnering with the UK government and other agencies.  

MHA
MHA are looking to recruit volunteers across the country to help them through the coronavirus crisis and support their clients. The roles are flexible and will be allocated dependent upon the needs of services in your local area. You can find details of the roles here

ACTION FOR CHILDREN
Action for Children is helping to provide essentials to the most vulnerable families they support across the UK and those potentially affected in the future. You can read more here

Taunton Welcomes Refugees:
As more refugees and asylum seekers are resettled in Somerset and we have been asked by the council to be ready to help support them.

www.tauntonwelcomesrefugees.co.uk

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