Sunday, 29 March 2015
April - Cheltenham Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ (YFC) is a national Christian charity that was founded by Billy Graham in 1946. Working with over 250,000 young people each month, they draw alongside teens from every background and culture in Britain. Our 400+ full-time staff and countless local volunteers specialise in working with unchurched youth: communicating and demonstrating the Christian faith.
Cheltenham YFC was founded in 1974 and works to take Good News rele-vantly to every young person in Cheltenham. This is achieved through a variety of approaches. A majority of this work is carried out in schools, both primary and secondary, where the Cheltenham YFC team are involved in detached work, after school clubs, lessons, mentoring and group work. Using the teams wide ranging skills of music, media and sport they are able to work with young people with diverse interests.
Cheltenham YFC also run a prayer evangelism initiative that enables young people to develop the confidence to share their faith with their friends. This is one aspect of how Cheltenham YFC resource local churches to sup-port young people more effectively. They also support churches by getting practically involved by working alongside them and supporting and re-sourcing their volunteers.
Throughout YFC's history there has been an unwavering commitment to youth evangelism and biblical Christianity. One of YFC's slogans over the past fifty years has been "Anchored to the Rock, Geared to the Times.” YFC strives to both demonstrate and communicate this message of hope, grace and love in a variety of different cultural settings, and always pursu-ing teens in personal relationships. Your prayers and financial support continue to help change the lives of young people… one at a time.
Sunday, 22 February 2015
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.
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
Sunday, 4 January 2015
January 2015 - Cheltenham Street Pastors
Street Pastors are an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people by caring, listening and talking.
We are church members who are willing to offer support, practical help and a visible ministry to those who are out in the town late at night. We reassure folk who may feel vulnerable, help reduce the fear of crime, provide a listening ear and offer genuine, non-judgmental pastoral support to those who need help.
We are not about preaching but about helping people – the gospel is at the heart of what we do and why we do it, but not at the forefront of what we say.
Cheltenham Street Pastors commissioned the first twenty-one pastors on 1st December 2009 and has operated successfully since then on Saturday nights from 10pm to 4am. We now have over 50 trained Street Pastors who come from 30 churches in Cheltenham and the surrounding area.
In the years since starting we have helped over 12,000 people and collected up over 12,000 discarded bottles and glasses which otherwise might have caused injury or been used as weapons. Overall we gave out 5,500 pairs of flip flops, 5,000 bottles of water and 400 foil blankets. We have also provided first aid to 100 people and attended almost 200 anti-social incidents.
The local Police Inspector has said that “Street Pastors act as a safety net to pick up vulnerable people who may be casualties of the night time economy”.
The police have also said that they have no doubt that Street Pastors have made a contribution to the fall in crime in Cheltenham.
Four new Street Pastors were commissioned at the 5th Anniversary Service of Cheltenham Street Pastors which was held at St Michael & All Angels Church in Bishops Cleeve on Saturday 29th November 2014.
The address was given by the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Reverend Martyn Snow, and the four new Street Pastors were commissioned by Captain Steve Smith from the Salvation Army.
Music was led by a group from Cheltenham Street Pastors, and two Street Pastors gave testimonies about their work.
We are church members who are willing to offer support, practical help and a visible ministry to those who are out in the town late at night. We reassure folk who may feel vulnerable, help reduce the fear of crime, provide a listening ear and offer genuine, non-judgmental pastoral support to those who need help.
We are not about preaching but about helping people – the gospel is at the heart of what we do and why we do it, but not at the forefront of what we say.
Cheltenham Street Pastors commissioned the first twenty-one pastors on 1st December 2009 and has operated successfully since then on Saturday nights from 10pm to 4am. We now have over 50 trained Street Pastors who come from 30 churches in Cheltenham and the surrounding area.
In the years since starting we have helped over 12,000 people and collected up over 12,000 discarded bottles and glasses which otherwise might have caused injury or been used as weapons. Overall we gave out 5,500 pairs of flip flops, 5,000 bottles of water and 400 foil blankets. We have also provided first aid to 100 people and attended almost 200 anti-social incidents.
The local Police Inspector has said that “Street Pastors act as a safety net to pick up vulnerable people who may be casualties of the night time economy”.
The police have also said that they have no doubt that Street Pastors have made a contribution to the fall in crime in Cheltenham.
Four new Street Pastors were commissioned at the 5th Anniversary Service of Cheltenham Street Pastors which was held at St Michael & All Angels Church in Bishops Cleeve on Saturday 29th November 2014.
The address was given by the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Reverend Martyn Snow, and the four new Street Pastors were commissioned by Captain Steve Smith from the Salvation Army.
Music was led by a group from Cheltenham Street Pastors, and two Street Pastors gave testimonies about their work.
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
December - Children's Homes in Kerala State
CHIKS was started in 1999 by Sister Mary Matthew, a former nun with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, and then principal of a Madras home for disabled people. She returned to her native Kerala, bought a two-room stonecutters house near Chalakudy, called it Karunanilayam (Home of Mercy in the local language, Malayalam) and took in six needy children.
Looking to her English friend, Robin Radley, for support, Chiks was founded as a charitable trust.
Over the years, extension of the tiny house, new buildings and purchase of adjacent land mean that now over fifty children can be accommodated, fed, clothed and educated in local schools.
Likewise, two other Homes, these in the mountain regions of Kerala, are dependent on Chiks. Little Flower Mercy Home was originally a shelter for destitute and mentally-handicapped adults but, subsequently, children were also welcomed. This has necessitated extension and new building projects to comply with local regulations for such homes.
Carmel Matha Santhi Bhavan is a refuge for boys of all ages and support from Chiks has allowed similar extension and developments.
Available local farmland has been purchased near both homes with the object of promoting self-sufficiency. While growing crops like rice paddy, bananas and coconuts is straightforward, cows need cowsheds in that climate and wells may be needed. More expense!
Recent urgent needs are to complete these projects, repair damage to the electrical system at Carmel Matha due to a freak storm and to continue to meet the daily expenses. Prices of even the most basic needs of life are continuing to rise and Robin and his team work tirelessly to raise funds to answer the needs.
The children will have had a poor start in life due to poverty, loss of one or both parents, abandonment, alcoholism or neglect.
The joy on the children's faces as they appreciate all these homes provide to improve their lives is hard to describe. They may be from unknown backgrounds - Christian, Moslem, Hindu, Buddhist - but all join in daily praise and prayers to Jesus, giving thanks for their blessings and all the support from Chiks.
Though India may now have a thriving economy, there is a vast gap between the “haves and have-nots” and there are so many who have nothing. Unless an effective welfare state is introduced and managed, this cannot change. Sadly, corruption is also rife throughout the country. Why should children suffer? Chiks is doing what it can to help.
Robin hopes to visit Highbury again, this time for the morning service on Sunday 7th December. He will be happy to answer any questions.
Friday, 24 October 2014
November - Langley House Trust
As a Christian Charity, our mission is to work with those who are at risk of offending, or have offended, establishing positive foundations so that they can lead crime-free lives and become contributors to society. At Langley House Trust we believe all people are:
made in God’s image
loved by Him regardless
called into community
offered redemption by His grace
promised His glory
Our Vision:
The Trust will work towards the fulfillment of its vision of a crime-free society where no-one is unfairly disadvantaged or excluded because of their past.
The Knole in Cheltenham is a Registered Care Home, which provides accommodation for fourteen men aged 30 years and over.
The Knole aims to enable and equip former offenders to address their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs within a caring Christian environment.
We aim to assist each person to progress towards more personal independence, learning life and social skills in order to live a fulfilling and crime-free life.
It also offers a floating support service which is able to support residents in their own accommodation after their stay at the project.
The Knole is committed to achieving equal opportunities for all. Religion, race, nationality, disability, age and sexual orientation will not be part of the selection criteria. We will challenge any discriminatory attitude within the house.
Staff provide each resident with a confidentiality policy through which they seek to safeguard and keep secure all confidential information received regarding an individual.
With your support we can continue our work to help overcome the challenges faced by our residents such as gaining meaningful employment/voluntary work, furthering education, enhancing social skills in order for them to rebuild their lives and become part of the wider community.
If you wish to find out more about our valuable work please visit our web-site www.langleyhousetrust.org or contact The Knole on 01242 526978.
made in God’s image
loved by Him regardless
called into community
offered redemption by His grace
promised His glory
Our Vision:
The Trust will work towards the fulfillment of its vision of a crime-free society where no-one is unfairly disadvantaged or excluded because of their past.
The Knole in Cheltenham is a Registered Care Home, which provides accommodation for fourteen men aged 30 years and over.
The Knole aims to enable and equip former offenders to address their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs within a caring Christian environment.
We aim to assist each person to progress towards more personal independence, learning life and social skills in order to live a fulfilling and crime-free life.
It also offers a floating support service which is able to support residents in their own accommodation after their stay at the project.
The Knole is committed to achieving equal opportunities for all. Religion, race, nationality, disability, age and sexual orientation will not be part of the selection criteria. We will challenge any discriminatory attitude within the house.
Staff provide each resident with a confidentiality policy through which they seek to safeguard and keep secure all confidential information received regarding an individual.
With your support we can continue our work to help overcome the challenges faced by our residents such as gaining meaningful employment/voluntary work, furthering education, enhancing social skills in order for them to rebuild their lives and become part of the wider community.
If you wish to find out more about our valuable work please visit our web-site www.langleyhousetrust.org or contact The Knole on 01242 526978.
Thursday, 2 October 2014
October - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes is now known more accurately as Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. For reasons we don’t yet fully understand, your immune system, which is meant to protect you from foreign bodies, such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. You cannot prevent it by adopting a healthy diet, exercising regularly, or living a healthy lifestyle. There is currently no known cure. But JDRF is committed to funding research that will find a cure. JDRF is the type 1 diabetes charity, improving lives until we find a cure. We’re totally focused on type 1 diabetes, and are run by people with type 1, for people with type 1.
We fund research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes. We provide information for children, adults and parents living with the condition, at all stages from diagnosis and beyond. We give a voice to people with type 1 diabetes and campaign for increased focus on, and funding for, research to find the cure.
JDRF is a global organisation working towards the cure. Internationally, we are the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research. We work with academia, industry and governments to make sure that the research we fund has the greatest possible impact on the lives of people with type 1 now and in the future. JDRF has invested £1 billion in funding critical research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes and its complications.
For more than four decades we have been at the forefront of developments, finding new ways to treat type 1, and progressing towards being able to halt, reverse and prevent it. By seeking out, assessing and monitoring the best research in the world, no matter where it is, we drive the breakthroughs that improve treatment and that will ultimately cure type 1 diabetes.
Because we have people with type 1 diabetes at the heart of our organisation, we know that living with type 1 makes life just that bit tougher, and we think that people with type 1 don’t get a fair deal. That’s why, as well as funding research, we also give a voice to people with type 1. We campaign for greater research funding and for access to the treatments and technologies to make their life easier today. We also work to differentiate type 1 from type 2 diabetes and provide information for all stages of living with type 1 – from diagnosis and beyond.
Obviously, because of the nature of its work, this is not a local charity. However, we are supporting it this month because of its Highbury connection in the impact this condition has had on the Lacey family.
See the website for JDRF
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. For reasons we don’t yet fully understand, your immune system, which is meant to protect you from foreign bodies, such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. You cannot prevent it by adopting a healthy diet, exercising regularly, or living a healthy lifestyle. There is currently no known cure. But JDRF is committed to funding research that will find a cure. JDRF is the type 1 diabetes charity, improving lives until we find a cure. We’re totally focused on type 1 diabetes, and are run by people with type 1, for people with type 1.
We fund research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes. We provide information for children, adults and parents living with the condition, at all stages from diagnosis and beyond. We give a voice to people with type 1 diabetes and campaign for increased focus on, and funding for, research to find the cure.
JDRF is a global organisation working towards the cure. Internationally, we are the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research. We work with academia, industry and governments to make sure that the research we fund has the greatest possible impact on the lives of people with type 1 now and in the future. JDRF has invested £1 billion in funding critical research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes and its complications.
For more than four decades we have been at the forefront of developments, finding new ways to treat type 1, and progressing towards being able to halt, reverse and prevent it. By seeking out, assessing and monitoring the best research in the world, no matter where it is, we drive the breakthroughs that improve treatment and that will ultimately cure type 1 diabetes.
Because we have people with type 1 diabetes at the heart of our organisation, we know that living with type 1 makes life just that bit tougher, and we think that people with type 1 don’t get a fair deal. That’s why, as well as funding research, we also give a voice to people with type 1. We campaign for greater research funding and for access to the treatments and technologies to make their life easier today. We also work to differentiate type 1 from type 2 diabetes and provide information for all stages of living with type 1 – from diagnosis and beyond.
Obviously, because of the nature of its work, this is not a local charity. However, we are supporting it this month because of its Highbury connection in the impact this condition has had on the Lacey family.
See the website for JDRF
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