February - St Vincent's and St George's Assocation

This local charity is coming to the end of celebrating its 125th anniversary year, so it is timely that it should be Highbury’s chosen charity for February.

The following information has been taken from the charity’s annual review 2009 / 2010 and copies are available at Highbury if you would like more information, or have a look at the website; www.stvsandstgs.co.uk

St Vincent’s and St George’s joined into one organisation in 2009.

St George’s has a long history starting in London in 1885 as a mission to support homeless women and orphans. It was run by the sisters of St Peters and included a training school for household and employment skills. The school was evacuated in the 1940s to Gloucestershire, still being run by nuns.

In 1985 our present centre, Well Close House in Cheltenham, was purchased and this became a residential care home for women with moderate learning difficulties. We have since been able to add independent living units in the grounds, which consist of four single bedsits and a two bedroomed bungalow. Two additional supported living houses have been established, one in Hatherley and the other in Brockworth. Each of these properties can take four tenants.
Today St George’s is a secular organisation offering both residential and supported living to people with learning difficulties.

There are a number of other services which have been developed. Domiciliary Care and Support is provided for people in their own homes. Day activities are provided at a day centre in Bennington Street by St George’s Windows. A wide range of activities can be enjoyed including jewellery, needlework and other crafts. At the same site we run a Café ‘George’s Organics’ which offers work experience opportunities in the kitchen and in the café itself. ‘George’s Organics’ also offers catering for your special event.

St Vincent’s has offered Therapeutic Day-care for over fifty years in Cheltenham. The centre in Central Cross Drive, works with people with profound multiple disabilities, a consequence of cerebral palsy. Activities include a large multi-sensory room, Jacuzzi Hydrotherapy Tub, specialised computer suite, Music Therapy including Sound Beam, a vibrant craft room and a professionally designed Sensory Garden giving opportunities for therapeutic gardening. Some fifty members attend each week on a day basis, and a similar number come for shorter sessions mid afternoon or evening. Members of our trained staff carry out a range of medical and therapeutic interactions, in partnership with Gloucestershire NHS professionals.
In all, the charity supports over 140 people in the county.

Our vision is to offer opportunities for all the people we work with to achieve their full potential, thus leading to richer and more fulfilling lives.

Our golden rule is to put the individual at the heart of all our efforts and empower them to achieve their aspirations.

The charity is very grateful for Highbury’s support. Thank you.

Jean Gregory