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Welcare in Richmond's Children's Centre
As a brand new Trustee of Welcare I am beginning to learn more about the organisation, and the more I learn the more impressed I become.
There are ten centres throughout the Southwark and London Dioceses, each with it's own style, according to the area it serves. Having worked for the Richmond Welcare for many years a visit to Greenwich Welcare was a real contrast. Whereas Richmond Welcare is situated in a relatively affluent area, Greenwich is in the heart of a large estate which houses many deprived families, but the work they do there is inspirational. A vegetable garden has been set out in front of Welcare providing an opportunity to learn to create things and is a source of pride to adults and children alike. This has helped to get the community working together.
Although each Welcare has slightly different programmes their focus is the same, the particular needs of the people in the area they serve. Many of these needs are similar, help with parenting, adult literacy,and dealing with the victims of domestic violence. However, it is very clear that service users are treated as individuals, and that the staff and volunteers care about each of them. That in itself is a boost for people with very low self esteem, and means that Welcare is welcoming place not a frightening one.
I am very grateful for all the help St Mary with St Albans Church have given us,it is really valued, so many thanks and please continue wit your support!
Like many voluntary organisations Welcare has suffered massive cuts to funding, and some of the 10 centres have had to reduce services. Nevertheless Welcare in Richmond is doing well, thanks to having the Children's Centre ,and now has one session of Stay and Play in our Parish Hall once a week . However it is still focusing on disadvantaged families and victims of domestic abuse in particular. We are looking for funds to furnish a special therapy room for victims of domestic abuse,there will be sessions for women and also for children traumatised by witnessing the violence, so it is important that we can provide a relaxed comfortable atmosphere.
As usual this year we are also appealing for funds for the summer trips trips, for many families these trips are their summer holiday . So far we have been very lucky,and a huge thank you must go to Graham Hornsby who ran the Edinburgh Marathon for Welcare. He has raised over £400 and counting,his donation page is www.mycharity.com/grahamforwelcare Also Hugo Studholme is organising a local run in September and more runners in the team are welcome. Contact Hugo hugostudholme@hotmail.com
Finally to say how grateful we are for the support of St Mary with St Alban Church
Strawberry Tea.
This years' Strawberry Tea will be held on Thursday 7th July from 3.00pm - 5.00pm. All are welcome. There will be tickets which are £5, at the back of the church,please help yourself but pay on the day. There is also a bring and buy produce stall and profits go to Welcare.
If anyone can help making cakes , sandwiches etc or by serving tea, I will be grateful. Margaret Squire 02089773362 fredandmargaret@blueyonder.co.uk
Parish Pub Lunch
For the summer months the Parish Pub lunches will be held at the Anglers as they can give us the option of eating in the garden if the weather is nice. We meet the second Thursday in the month, so the dates are 14 July and 11August. There will be sign up forms at the back of the church just before lunches or you can let me know fredandmargaret'blueyonder.co.uk 02089773362
Margaret Squire
Welcare comes to Teddington
Providing parents and children with opportunities to engage in exciting and creative activities together and helping to support to develop parents understanding of the value of play for children. Drop-in session.
FUNDING
Richmond Welcare has been luckier than some other branches in that the Children's Centre has been retained, for the time being anyway, but we still need funds for the important extras, such as fitting out the basement at 26 the Green Twickenham to use for therapy groups. To help traumatised and distressed people it is important that we provide pleasant relaxed surroundings, and for this we need comfortable chairs,14 of them, a coffee table soft rugs and cheerful curtains We also need to assist other branches that have suffered very badly from the cuts and face reducing their vital services.
Fortunately, once again we have a team from St Mary's along with two members from Central Office who are going to do a 10k run for Welcare. Last year they ran the ASICS British 10KLondon Run and raised £2,000. This year the choice of run has yet to be decided, but if you are interested in joining in please contact Hugo Studholme hugostudholme@hotmail.com
If you would like to find out more about the Welcare organisation through the church’s representative, please use the following email address: welcare@stmarywithstalban.org.
Margaret Squire
Children's Storehouse
The Vineyard Centre, 513 Browell Lane, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 7EQ
tel.020 890 2626 email storehouse@riversidevineyard.com
The Children's Storehouse is Christian organisation that receives donations of toys,children's clothing, baby equipment etc and distributes them to families in need.
Families are referred by Health Visitor, Social Workers or Welcare and can then choose the things they need for free.
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