Distribution of Street & Supermarket Collection

October 31st 2016 : Carers Trust 4 All

The Rotary Club of Oswestry have been supporters of Oswestry Young Carers Service, under the management of the Red Cross, over recent years, raising money for them through the Marches Interact Club and street collections.  So when the monies raised by last June's collection were to be distributed they knew where it should be sent. Or did they?

They found that the Red Cross Young Carers Service had closed in Shropshire in November 2015, so who was caring for the young carers now?  After some detective work, contact was made with Jill Livingstone of the Carerstrust4all Young Carers Service in Shropshire who came along to a recent Club meeting to accept the donation and tell us about their service.

"There are 254,000 Young Carers under the age of 19 in the UK, 23,000 of whom are under 9.", Jill told the meeting, "In Shropshire, we look after 159."

Acting as advocates for the youngsters, Jill tries to support Young Carers' emotional, physical, social, educational and financial needs.  A carer may be looking after someone with mental health issues, physical disability or chronic ill-health or who suffers from drug or alcohol misuse.  Unfortunately many young carers go unrecognised, as they or other family members, try to keep people outside the home from knowing fearing that the family could be separated.  They may only be noticed when there is a crisis.

The Carestrust4all's free service provides a variety of assistance.  Meeting in Oswestry at The Whole Life Centre, monthly peer support meetings throughout the county provide 90 minutes of respite with children of a similar age.  Theatre visits, horse riding, theme park visits, football training and other activities allow much needed breaks as do longer residential stays such as at the Longmynd Adventure Camp.

Jill thanked the Club members for their support and said "The £100 donation from the street collection will buy valuable time when the youngsters can just feel normal again."

For further information contact the Shropshire Young Carers Team 033 33 23 1990 (options 1 then 6) or email Shropyc@carerstrust4all.org.uk.

September 12th 2016 : Leonard Cheshire Home, Dolywern

President Ian Haigh and Mike Griffiths, Chair of Community Services, enjoyed a visit to Leonard Cheshire Disability, charity provider of care and support to people with physical and learning disabilities, at Dolywern where they met a residents group. Receiving their cheque for the residents' activities fund, Sylvia Jones their Activities Co-ordinator said, "This is very welcome. Thanks to the people of Oswestry this will pay for some extras such as art and craft materials, entertainments and parties that the residents enjoy so much."

September 12th 2016 : Shropshire Deaf and Hard of Hearing Forum

The next presentation of the day was to Gill Barrow of the Shropshire Deaf and Hard of Hearing Forum.  "We will certainly put this to good use as we are always looking for funding towards our running costs." she said.

The Forum works within Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin to be a voice for all those with a hearing impairment. There are three full forum meetings a year throughout the county which are open to anyone who has a hearing impairment or an interest in supporting those who do.

September 12th 2016 : Derwen College

President Ian Haigh and Chair of Community Services Mike Griffiths presented Laura Griffiths, Project & Partnerships Co-ordinator at Derwen College, with a cheque from this summer's Rotary Street and Supermarket Collection. “On behalf of Derwen College I would like to thank the people of Oswestry for their donations," she said.

“We are delighted to be able to support a local charity that makes such a positive impact on the lives of its students and congratulate the College on receiving its third successive outstanding Ofsted mark this summer after its latest inspection,” Ian replied.

The college’s main campus is in Gobowen near Oswestry and attracts students from across the county and further afield. Work is focussed to give students the skills they need for employment and the experiences to help them live as independently as possible in the future. Offering both day and residential placements, the college has three satellite sites at Higher Penley near Wrexham, and at Walford and Craven Arms in north and south Shropshire.

September 8th 2016 : Oswestry & District Stroke Club

The Rotary Club of Oswestry Community Services Chair Mike Griffiths met up with the Oswestry & District Stroke Club committee recently to present the group with a donation from this summer's Rotary Street & Supermarket Collection. 

The Stroke Club are a self help and social club for people who have suffered a stroke and for their carers and meet throughout the year on every second Thursday of the month at the Senior Citizens Club, Lorne Street, Oswestry from 2pm to 4pm.

Mike was impressed with their choice of venue.  " A delightful good-sized hall and kitchen with beautiful flowers outside, a substantial car-park and a permanent stage give scope for lots of activities.  It is good to be able to support the Stroke Club who must raise the funds for all the valuable work they do."

For further information contact Mike Garratt
oswestrystrokeclub@aol.co.uk
0161 238 768

September 6th 2016 : St John Ambulance - Oswestry Unit

Oswestry St John Ambulance Unit Manager Jason Amyes was delighted to receive their cheque from David Davies, Club Treasurer.  "Our Unit is saving up for an easy-up tent to provide shelter for members when in attendance at events around Oswestry." said Jason. "We can often be found at village fetes and events such as the recent Sealed Knot gathering in Cae Glas Park.  This will make a very useful contribution."