Ramsgate Rotary Club
Members of Ramsgate Rotary Club and Inner Wheel, joined forces on Sunday, to give a special afternoon out for nearly 40 elderly local residents.
While Rotarians took the guests on local tours, Inner Wheelers. were preparing a tea for them all at Minister Village Hall.
The guests were welcomed by newly elected President Pat Hersant, who also thanked those who had prepared the teas.
Kent Association for the Blind
Two clubs, which have been supporting visually impaired people in Thanet for over a decade are to re-launch this month. The Kent Association for the Blind (KAB clubs) “Friendship” and “Reflections” which are both run by KAB volunteers will be holding a joint meeting at Copperfields, Ramsgate, on July 23 at 2pm to launch a new membership campaign across Thanet.
Eithne Rynne, Chief Executive at Kent Association for the Blind, welcomes a closer bond between the two clubs: “Our volunteer-run clubs are in the frontline of support for the visually impaired. They provide an essential service – bringing friendship and fun to members who welcome a chance to get out regularly and enjoy themselves. These clubs have a very strong social programme.
“We want to help these Clubs reach more people with visual impairment. I hope the families of people with sight problems, who live in the area stretching from Birchington to Ramsgate, will get in touch with our Clubs. Members of one club automatically become members of the other. There are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the company of friends on a regular basis. Door-to-door transport is provided.”
Janet Fudge, leader of Reflections, said: “Visual impairment often isolates people. Joining a new group of friends who understand what that can mean makes a big difference.” Tony Redding who leads the Friendship groups says, “We look forward to working closer with Reflections and expanding our membership. We have members throughout Thanet and many have been with us for years; over that time they have forged long-lasting friendships. Our lively social programme includes lunches and cream teas.”
Reflections meets on Mondays at Copperfields Community Room, Melbourne Avenue, Ramsgate.
Friendship meets on Thursdays at the Community Hub, 19 Minnis Road, Birchington
To find out more contact:
Reflections: Janet Fudge: 01843 602 176
Friendship: Tony Redding: 07768 394 699
If you have questions about sight loss and the services available, please contact Kent Association for the Blind on 01227 763366.
Missing cat appeal
An appeal is being made to try and find a cat that has been missing from its Garlinge home for more than a year.
Owner Lisa Stirzaker is hoping a fresh appeal may result in getting Nala back home.
She said: “Nala went missing at the end of June from Westfield Road, Garlinge. Despite regular searches, posters being done and ringing round all the vets there is still no news.
“She has always been an indoor cat but unfortunately she got out one night and we have no idea where she could be. She is 4 years old, not neutered or chipped (big mistake) and is cream, brown and black in colour, she has swirls of colour on her body and black stripes on her head and tail, she also has beautiful orange/yellow eyes.
“Myself and my boys miss her so very much. If anyone knows anything, we would be grateful if you could get in touch please. Even if somebody found Nala or you know someone who has picked her up thinking she was a stray, we would still prefer if they got in touch please, even if it’s just to let us know she is safe and well. We will never give up hope on finding out what happened to our Nala.”
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Employability Day
Ramsgate Mayor Trevor Shonk has celebrated national Employability Day at a local jobs fair organised by housing group Orbit.
A number of local employers, training providers and volunteer agencies joined Orbit at its Ramsgate event held at The Elms Club. Jobseekers were able to access support and advice and apply for live vacancies with many of the companies on the day.
With the support of Job Centre Plus, local employers attending the event included; The Army, Mitie, Bradstow School, Thanet District Council, Bluebird Care, Learning Curve, Social Enterprise Kent, Thanet Volunteer Bureau, Porchlight, Probation Services and Kent Training and Apprenticeships.
Councillor Shonk said: “Orbit’s Employability Day was a great success. There was loads of help and advice for those trying to get back into work as well as information for those at different levels in their working careers that were maybe looking for a change or wanting to know how to go about getting into further education. I do hope Orbit make this a regular event as this information and advice is key to so many people.”
The event was well attended and Orbit’s facilities management partner Mitie had everyone, including the Mayor, practicing their plastering and tiling skills. A number of those that attended have been invited to apply for specific roles by employers on the day and received some face-to-face coaching, receiving tips on how to apply successfully.
Nicola Kantas, Employment Skills and Enterprise Programme Manager at Orbit, said: “Celebrating Employability Day in this way is a great opportunity for our customers to meet face-to-face with local employers, training providers and volunteer agencies in their local community. As well as inviting our customers to attend these employability events we are also offering them the opportunity to fill in the gaps in their CV, try new things and build their confidence and self-esteem by involving them in volunteering on the day as well.”
In the last 12 months, Orbit has supported over 1,500 people to undertake employment related training and skills and helped around 400 people into work.
Orbit’s employment support service is designed to help its customers reach their potential. This service is offered at home, over the telephone or from a mutually convenient place. Services offered include; CV writing and interview techniques, job searching/applications, apprenticeships, voluntary work/work experience, self-employment, education and training, confidence building courses and in work support.