Originally founded in 1992 as ‘Open Door at Christmas’ the charity gradually expanded and developed their work, taking the new name of Cheltenham Open Door and becoming both a registered charity and limited company. They have been operating from their Grosvenor Street base since 1998.
Cheltenham Open Door supports vulnerable, disadvantaged and lonely people. They are working to relieve poverty, hardship, and social or emotional distress. Their guests are men and women who have been deprived of the comforts and security most of us take for granted and they offer them hospitality, warmth, food and somewhere to relax. Some guests lost jobs through injury or sickness and are not fit to work again. Some read and write only with great difficulty. Some are coping with mental health issues. Some are in a programme to get off alcohol or drugs. Many come from broken homes, were in care as children or have experienced broken relationships. Some are sleeping rough, or are among the hidden homeless in a temporary hostel, or sleeping on a friend's floor.
Cheltenham Open Door does not judge, and they make no charge for any of their services.
It is their policy to never demand names of their guests.
Each year they run a Christmas Shelter at St Luke's Church Hall, this is open to guests 24 hours a day from midday on Christmas Eve until after lunch on 27th December. All this is completely free. Teams of volunteers working in shifts under experienced shift leaders man the shelter and they serve three hot meals a day, with hot and cold drinks continually on tap. They aim to provide companionship, food and warmth to those in need at this special time of year making it a real Christmas for everyone.
All year round they offer: hot meals and drinks, a clothes store, a shower with soap and towels provided, a TV room for relaxation, access to a telephone and companionship and respect. If appropriate, their guests can receive visits from health professionals, and links can be made with expert agencies. The weekday service runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10.30am to 1.45pm. Self-service hot drinks are on tap and a meal is served from 12 noon to 12.45pm. On Sundays they open from 9.45 to 11.45am, to serve a continuous hot breakfast, self-service hot drinks are again on tap. Attendance varies between about 30 and 50. Additional activities for guests have included art and cookery classes, and a day trip to a wildlife park.
Cheltenham Open Door: 39 Grosvenor St, Cheltenham, GL52 2SQ.
A Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No 3379241. Registered Charity No 1063434
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Sunday, 1 May 2011
May - Myasthenia Gravis Association
Did you see the posters outside Sainsbury inviting you to smile? You may have been puzzled by the fact that the faces on the poster seemed to show no emotion. It’s impossible to smile if your facial muscles have become weak. This is only one of the symptoms that can make Myasthenia Gravis an embarrassing condition to endure. Myasthenia Gravis is an auto-immune disease which is characterised by fluctuating, sometimes fatal, muscle weakness. The body’s immune system attacks and damages the nerve signal reception areas on the muscles so that the nerve is not able to cause muscle contraction and the result is apparent weakness. As any muscles can be affected the symptoms can vary greatly and can be triggered by the onset of infection or stress of any kind, physical or emotional. It can be difficult for a GP to diagnose, and it is also hard for family and friends to understand that someone can seem perfectly normal one moment but droopy and listless only a few hours or even minutes later. Simple things that we take for granted like eating, seeing, talking and laughing can become difficult or even impossible. Although it is rare under the age of 10, Myasthenia Gravis can affect anyone of any age, sex or race. Approximately one person in every ten thousand may be suffering from this disease in the UK at any one time.
The Myasthenia Gravis Association has headquarters in Derby. It works through regional organisers and local branches to offer support to people suffering from Myasthenia and their families. The Gloucestershire branch meets every four months when they will aim to address any problems that have arisen, share news of national events and, not least, go out for a meal together. The aim of meeting as a group is to create links with other people who understand what the sufferer is going through. It is also a valuable opportunity to share experience of available treatment. A safe support network can offer that priceless service – someone at the end of a ’phone who really knows what you are trying to cope with.
Fundraising is important to raise money for research. Recent research has resulted in better understanding and management of the disease but there is not yet a cure. The Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford is hopeful of a breakthrough if the momentum can be maintained. Money is also spent on producing and distributing leaflets in order to share information and raise public awareness of this disease. The chairperson of the local branch has asked me pass on thanks and appreciation for our continuing support.
The web site is www.mgauk.org
Helpline: 0800 919922
The Myasthenia Gravis Association has headquarters in Derby. It works through regional organisers and local branches to offer support to people suffering from Myasthenia and their families. The Gloucestershire branch meets every four months when they will aim to address any problems that have arisen, share news of national events and, not least, go out for a meal together. The aim of meeting as a group is to create links with other people who understand what the sufferer is going through. It is also a valuable opportunity to share experience of available treatment. A safe support network can offer that priceless service – someone at the end of a ’phone who really knows what you are trying to cope with.
Fundraising is important to raise money for research. Recent research has resulted in better understanding and management of the disease but there is not yet a cure. The Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford is hopeful of a breakthrough if the momentum can be maintained. Money is also spent on producing and distributing leaflets in order to share information and raise public awareness of this disease. The chairperson of the local branch has asked me pass on thanks and appreciation for our continuing support.
The web site is www.mgauk.org
Helpline: 0800 919922
Sunday, 3 April 2011
April - Cheltenham Youth for Christ
We continue our close links with Cheltenham Youth For Christ as we raise funds for them this month. New offices in Hatherley Lane has also meant some staff changes and with fresh initiatives this year the work continues to grow.
"Underground” was officially launched in February and involves young people praying in triplets for three friends who they would like to see come to know Christ. The initial target is for 30 young people to be involved in prayer after the first year growing to 500 in five years. Early responses have been very encouraging.
A sports project will begin this summer which is called Kinetic and will be for students in year 5 or 6 of primary school. The group will seek to encourage participation in sport and the application of good sporting values. In the process the young people will be supported in questioning what relevance Jesus has to sport and their lives. As always our prayers for the work of Cheltenham YFC are valued and if you would like to offer help they can be contacted on 01242 524408 or by emailing office@cheltenhamyfc.co.uk
"Underground” was officially launched in February and involves young people praying in triplets for three friends who they would like to see come to know Christ. The initial target is for 30 young people to be involved in prayer after the first year growing to 500 in five years. Early responses have been very encouraging.
A sports project will begin this summer which is called Kinetic and will be for students in year 5 or 6 of primary school. The group will seek to encourage participation in sport and the application of good sporting values. In the process the young people will be supported in questioning what relevance Jesus has to sport and their lives. As always our prayers for the work of Cheltenham YFC are valued and if you would like to offer help they can be contacted on 01242 524408 or by emailing office@cheltenhamyfc.co.uk
Thursday, 3 March 2011
March - The Multiple Sclerosis Society
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. What young person would consider it a holiday to be accommodated with elderly frail people? 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. Money is also made available for people with MS who want to access further education.
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. Coffee mornings for carers are usually at garden centres, and the next one will be at the Fosseway Garden Centre, Moreton in Marsh on Thursday 24th March. They also organise art classes at St Marks Methodist Church, hydrotherapy sessions at the Leonard Cheshire home, an exercise class for the less disabled, and have become involved with Conductive Therapy which a number of members find very beneficial.
The main source of revenue for the local branch is the annual street collection which will be in Cheltenham on Thursday 12th May. They would be very grateful for offers of help with this please. Another way that that you may be able to help would be to serve on the committee, anyone is welcome to the AGM that will be held at Season Conference Centre, Swindon Village at 2.30pm on Saturday 12th March.
If anyone would like to help on a voluntary basis please ring the Branch Contact, Avril Hastings ( 01452 862822 )
To find out more about the local MS Society click here.
To find out more about the national MS Society click here
Please let us support this cause generously this month.
Mary Michael
For
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. What young person would consider it a holiday to be accommodated with elderly frail people? 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. Money is also made available for people with MS who want to access further education.
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. Coffee mornings for carers are usually at garden centres, and the next one will be at the Fosseway Garden Centre, Moreton in Marsh on Thursday 24th March. They also organise art classes at St Marks Methodist Church, hydrotherapy sessions at the Leonard Cheshire home, an exercise class for the less disabled, and have become involved with Conductive Therapy which a number of members find very beneficial.
The main source of revenue for the local branch is the annual street collection which will be in Cheltenham on Thursday 12th May. They would be very grateful for offers of help with this please. Another way that that you may be able to help would be to serve on the committee, anyone is welcome to the AGM that will be held at Season Conference Centre, Swindon Village at 2.30pm on Saturday 12th March.
If anyone would like to help on a voluntary basis please ring the Branch Contact, Avril Hastings ( 01452 862822 )
To find out more about the local MS Society click here.
To find out more about the national MS Society click here
Please let us support this cause generously this month.
Mary Michael
For
Friday, 4 February 2011
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
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
Friday, 7 January 2011
January: Cheltenham Street Pastors
"Street Pastors" was founded in 2003 by the Ascension Trust and has grown rapidly, with more than 180 teams established around the UK. The teams have seen a decrease in crime in some areas and a great deal of good will generated between church, the police, local authority, and consumers of the night time economy.
A local committee runs each project with support from Ascension Trust, local churches, local government, and other groups. A Street Pastor is a church member willing to engage, often in very practical ways, with those (especially the young) using town centre bars, pubs, and clubs. To be a Street Pastor you need to be 18 or over (no upper age limit and many teams consist exclusively of over 50’s), a church member, and able to commit to the training programme.
The Cheltenham Street Pastors scheme currently consists of fifty trained volunteers from twenty different churches who, as a team of six, go out one Friday and Saturday night a month between 10pm and 4am. Prayer backup is provided at "team base" throughout the night. The first anniversary was celebrated in December and good relationships have been established with police, pub and club staff, medics and taxi marshals. Teams are now out every Friday and Saturday night and on other occasions such as Cheltenham races and University Freshers’ week.
We are asked to pray for:
A local committee runs each project with support from Ascension Trust, local churches, local government, and other groups. A Street Pastor is a church member willing to engage, often in very practical ways, with those (especially the young) using town centre bars, pubs, and clubs. To be a Street Pastor you need to be 18 or over (no upper age limit and many teams consist exclusively of over 50’s), a church member, and able to commit to the training programme.
The Cheltenham Street Pastors scheme currently consists of fifty trained volunteers from twenty different churches who, as a team of six, go out one Friday and Saturday night a month between 10pm and 4am. Prayer backup is provided at "team base" throughout the night. The first anniversary was celebrated in December and good relationships have been established with police, pub and club staff, medics and taxi marshals. Teams are now out every Friday and Saturday night and on other occasions such as Cheltenham races and University Freshers’ week.
We are asked to pray for:
- Encouragement, stamina and wisdom for the teams on the streets at night
The on-going training programme for more Street Pastors in our town
More people to hear of the Street Pastors’ work in Cheltenham
More Prayer Pastors to support and encourage their work
Understanding that all is done in Jesus’ name to offer him glory
If you would like more information you can make contact in any of these ways:
www.streetpastors.co.uk(current location, South, Cheltenham)
cheltenham@streetpastors.org.uk
01242 231644
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Christmas Collection for CHIKS Children's Homes in Kerala Statte
Chiks was created in 1999 as a charitable trust as a result of personal connections between a Christian Indian woman and a caring English gentleman.
Sister Mary Mathew had worked for many years as a nun with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. She later moved to take sole charge of a home for fifty disabled people in a poor community south of Madras.
Mary’s health was suffering severely when, in the early 1990s, it was decided to move the residents to a new, large, well-staffed home. This freed Mary to pursue a lifetime dream to rescue and care for the neediest children.
Through her friendship with Robin Radley, who offered support and fundraising opportunities, Chiks was founded
A cheap two-roomed stonecutters house was found near Chalakudy, Kerala. Work was undertaken to convert and extend it, and the first six children were welcomed in 1998.
The home was called Karunanilayam, meaning ‘Home of Mercy’ in the local language, Malayalam.
Over the years further extension with new buildings and purchasing an adjacent plot mean that now over fifty children are given shelter, are fed, clothed and educated in local schools.
Some are orphans, some from homes where parents are too poor or too ill to provide for them. All are victims of poverty.
A history of sadness, loss, deprivation may be behind a child’s arrival, but the fulfilment of their physical needs with loving care and compassion bring comfort, and then happiness.
Now, another two homes, in the hills of Kerala, have become dependent on the Chiks charity.
‘Little Flower Mercy Home’ near Chengulum, and ‘Carmel Matha Santhi Bavan’ in Wyanad district, both offer refuge to children permanently or temporarily.
The permanence will only depend on the goodwill and charitable donations raised by Robin Radley and his unstinting efforts.
Ambitious projects toward self-sufficiency had been an object, but the current economic situation has curtailed so many plans. Life has become very much ‘hand-to-mouth’ recently.
I am certain that, of any funds raised, every penny counts and not one rupee is wasted!
Any questions will be welcomed by Robin Radley when he visits Highbury for the morning
service on Sunday 5th December, or go to
http://www.chikschildrenshomes.org/
Sue Cole
Sister Mary Mathew had worked for many years as a nun with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. She later moved to take sole charge of a home for fifty disabled people in a poor community south of Madras.
Mary’s health was suffering severely when, in the early 1990s, it was decided to move the residents to a new, large, well-staffed home. This freed Mary to pursue a lifetime dream to rescue and care for the neediest children.
Through her friendship with Robin Radley, who offered support and fundraising opportunities, Chiks was founded
A cheap two-roomed stonecutters house was found near Chalakudy, Kerala. Work was undertaken to convert and extend it, and the first six children were welcomed in 1998.
The home was called Karunanilayam, meaning ‘Home of Mercy’ in the local language, Malayalam.
Over the years further extension with new buildings and purchasing an adjacent plot mean that now over fifty children are given shelter, are fed, clothed and educated in local schools.
Some are orphans, some from homes where parents are too poor or too ill to provide for them. All are victims of poverty.
A history of sadness, loss, deprivation may be behind a child’s arrival, but the fulfilment of their physical needs with loving care and compassion bring comfort, and then happiness.
Now, another two homes, in the hills of Kerala, have become dependent on the Chiks charity.
‘Little Flower Mercy Home’ near Chengulum, and ‘Carmel Matha Santhi Bavan’ in Wyanad district, both offer refuge to children permanently or temporarily.
The permanence will only depend on the goodwill and charitable donations raised by Robin Radley and his unstinting efforts.
Ambitious projects toward self-sufficiency had been an object, but the current economic situation has curtailed so many plans. Life has become very much ‘hand-to-mouth’ recently.
I am certain that, of any funds raised, every penny counts and not one rupee is wasted!
Any questions will be welcomed by Robin Radley when he visits Highbury for the morning
service on Sunday 5th December, or go to
http://www.chikschildrenshomes.org/
Sue Cole
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