January Charity - St Dunstan's

Although we try to be quite specific that we support a local charity there are some whose work is so specific that it has to be centralised.  This is the case with this month’s charity, as St Dunstan’s work is to provide an independent future for blind ex-Service men and women.  The local link is that one of our members was very moved when she heard an account of how a Gloucestershire ex-serviceman had been helped by them.
Sir Arthur Pearson, a newspaper proprietor who owned the Evening Standard and founded the Daily Express, established St Dunstan’s in 1915. Pearson, who lost his own sight through glaucoma, was shocked at society’s attitude to blindness. He decided to help those who had lost their vision in the recent First World War by giving them the care and rehabilitation they needed to lead constructive, self-sufficient lives.
Nearly a century later, St Dunstan’s still cares for those blinded in action, but also supports blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women who have lost their sight through accident, illness, or old age. They also help those who have served in the Emergency Services.

St Dunstan’s gives invaluable physical and emotional support to blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. With the help of their unique expertise, comprehensive range of services, and experience, they enable them to lead independent fulfilling lives. Rehabilitation is designed to help regain confidence and self-sufficiency by teaching new skills and fostering optimism.

Support from St Dunstans is available as long as it is needed, to help them and their families adjust to the loss of sight; and this support lasts a lifetime. Sometimes help is needed to resolve housing issues and assist with the difficulties of benefit claims.  Social activities and access to sporting facilities add to the sense of belonging to the St Dunstan’s family.

Christmas Collection - County Community Projects

We are fortunate in having the opportunity of showing our real commitment to love in action through our close relationship with County Community Projects. As you can see from their ‘Thank You’ letter below, our involvement is really valued. They mention the opportunities to give food and we will put some of the money we raise towards the Food Share scheme as well as aiming to make a generous donation of food.

In the past I have had some professional involvement with the CCP Education Centre and can assure you that they do valuable and challenging work. It makes sense to let them explain what they do so I have taken this from their website,

“The aim with all our learners is to involve them in positive activities which are tailored to meet their individual needs and address the issues which have led to their exclusion from school. We give each child what is often their first positive learning experience, and help to build their motivation to take part and succeed. This raises their self-esteem, which in turn raises performance and aspirations.

Using subjects such as art, sport, exercise, cooking and conservation, we help young people understand that education can be fun and rewarding. We undertake work with them on anger management, communication, group working and rights and responsibilities. We prepare them for a return to full time school education or a progression to higher education.

The Education Centre has recently move to a purpose-converted building in High Street, Cheltenham. It offers a selection of learning environments, a well equipped woodwork room, IT and Multimedia learning facilities, a full kitchen and a leisure area with a TV, video and a selection of board and video games.”

To further improve their environment we hope to collect enough money to be able to buy some garden furniture.

A big focus this Christmas is also going to be on stocking up the Food Share scheme and the Hamper Scamper with tinned and packaged food.


Dear All at Highbury Church

CCP would like to thank you for your donations to the CCP FoodShare - the emergency food distribution service for Gloucestershire people and families in times of crisis, which relies on donations from members of the public, churches, schools and businesses, and distributes over 500 emergency food parcels every year.

More information at www.ccprojects.org.uk