March - our local Multiple Sclerosis Society branch

The Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive disease of the central nervous system. The severity of the disease varies markedly among sufferers and is characterised by a multiple, patchy pattern of disabilities. These may vary in site and time with unpredictable episodes of disease activity and remission. It often starts in early adult life and the type of long-term damage it causes will depend on which part of the nervous system has been affected

Our local group aims to be self-supporting although allied to the national society and are very appreciative of our help. They are very clear that any money raised locally is used locally. There is a very strong emphasis on welfare and they provide respite care or holidays that benefit both the person with MS and their families. The reduction of funding to Social Services makes this a particular problem as they rarely have suitable respite provision for young sufferers. Help can be given towards adaptations, appliances or aids that are not supplied by statutory bodies and again more people will be looking to charities as Social Services provides less. With the awareness that suffers of MS may have young families there is concern for the needs of these young carers and they have a specific Young Carers’ Fund.

The Society wishes to be accessible for anyone affected by MS and can be easily contacted. A monthly Newsletter is produced and they are very active and hold regular meetings for members. The next meeting for carers will be on Tuesday 17th March at 12mid-day at The Bell Inn Shurdington. The Annual Meeting of the Branch will take place on Saturday 11th April at 2:30pm at St Mark's Methodist Church Hall, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. After the meeting there will be a short talk by a member of the local branch of REMAP, a group of volunteer engineers who do modifications to equipment for disabled people, so this should be an interesting talk. There will also be tea and cakes.
MS week is from Monday 27th April to Sunday 3rd May.  On Sunday 26th April the local branch is organising the inaugural Severn Bridge Walk - a super way to start MS Week! The accessible 6 mile route will start and finish near the services giving some spectacular views. There will also be face painting, games for children and refreshments to make it a fun family friendly event. Registration fee is just £10 and children are free. Why not register today to show your commitment to beating MS and raising funds for the branch?

The main source of revenue for the local branch is the annual street collection and the branch would be very grateful for offers of help with this, please.

If anyone would like to help on a voluntary basis, to do whatever is needed to help people affected by MS, whether that’s driving minibuses, running support groups, raising money, editing websites, volunteering on the helpline or writing newsletters, etc ... contact  Cheltenham branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society   

Please let us support this very worthwhile cause generously.

February - St George's and St Vincent's

‘The care you need for the life you want’

This local charity works with adults with learning disabilities, or with those who
have physical disabilities, or those who are (because of age, ill health or
infirmity) in need of more help and support at home.

St V’s and St G’s have a long established history of providing a high standard of
care and support to the people of Gloucestershire, which is attributed to long
standing relationships within the community that have developed over many
years. It is from this community that the charity has gained a strong and
effective workforce and volunteer base, and benefits from the generosity of
local stakeholders.

They say “We work with the people who use our services to empower them to
give, and gain, from the community in which they live. We believe that a truly
inclusive life is filled with opportunity and engagement with people from all
sectors of society. We seek to enable the people we support to find friendships,
job opportunities, relationships and social interaction, as well as giving back
through volunteering and peer support. We also actively encourage people to
engage in the future planning of the charity through a range of methods, in
order to ensure that the changes and plans we make reflect the needs and
aspirations of all who are involved with, and who are served by the work of the
association”

The charity supports 10 residents at Well Close House, 8 residents in supported
living flats, another 3 in a high dependency bungalow, and 10 more in 2 other
supported living houses. All this accommodation is local.

The Phoenix activity centre in Winchcombe Street is open on week days, and
some evenings and Saturdays, enabling members to enjoy a varied programme,
while socialising and having fun together. The programme is continually
evolving to reflect the needs and aspirations of those who use the service.
Dance and reflexology sessions have recently been added to art and craft,
music, cooking and poetry.

At the end of 2014 the decision was made to begin work on rebuilding the old
day care centre in Central Cross Drive. Plans have been passed to create 4
residential flats for local young people with significant needs, as a first move
towards independence. Fund raising is ongoing for this exciting project.
The charity is delighted to have such a long standing link with Highbury Church
and thanks everyone for their support.

For more information please look at the web site www.stvsandstgs.co.uk