General Meeting

Thursday 3 April 2025 Breakfast meeting Apologies - David K, Gerry, Hilary, Jean, Marian, Pete, Reggie, Trevor. Guests - Anne Hill, Jackie Carter from Haven. Grace given by Paul. Fundraising- Brilliant Saturday at the Car parking session.- Quiz night 12/4 - raffle prizes please. Social- Club quiz 3/6 £6 each, tables of 4. Nibbles will be provided by Mel. International- TWAM 26/4 a the Plough.- Myanmar earthquake, Andrew B proposed £1000 donation to replenish Shelterbox supplies. Agreed by club. Com Voc- 1/5 EK carers coming to meeting to update the club.- Waterloo Road community centre has completed the planned work. David M has allocated the money agreed by the club. Sue is going to ask the manager to come along to tell us about the centre and receive the donation. Youth Maggie updated the club on recent communications with a view to promoting a photography competition. AOB- David M has sent everyone their gift aid annual report. Any change to tax status needs to be communicated.- Lesley’s Neil has almost completed his cathedral tour guide training, the final hurdle is a practice run for which he needs a couple of people to act as tourists. Entry is free for this - speak to Lesley if you’re interested. Haven Jackie thanked us for our donation of assorted groceries and personal hygiene products. Haven, started in 2016 by local churches, held in a local church centre. It is a small charity so they are able to get to know their guests and provide a bespoke service. 1 The service runs 3 days a week supporting rough sleepers and assisting others to prevent homelessness. Various types of support are available: showers, clothes washing, meals, 2 day food parcels, assistance with addiction (Forward Trust), f inancial advice, local council service support. Occasional podiatry (Forgotten Feet), hairdressing, access to a computer and printer, a dentist in Faversham will accept referrals and Estuary View treatment centre is very helpful. Haven has 35 volunteers providing a variety of support, each session requires 8 volunteers for various roles vital to the smooth running of the service. Some guests who have been successfully rehoused come back to volunteer prior to getting permanent employment. One guest renovates donated bikes which can then be used by guests to ensure they can travel to appointments, etc. Last year Haven supported 347 guests, 75% were successfully rehoused, this is permanent not temporary housing. Andrew M mentioned people trying to donate bikes when TWAM collections are held, contact details were shared if we are asked at this year’s collection. Sue thanked Jackie for her very interesting presentation and commended the work Haven do. Raffle won by David M, chocolates promptly given to Jackie for the volunteers at Haven. Master at Arm - Nick fined us for a variety of concerns and misdemeanours including money, music, grace, and confusion. Today is World Aquatic Animal day and in 1973 the first mobile phone call was made. Final toast given by Sue. Next meeting 10/4 7.30 for 8am at the Plough