SpeakUPCIC and Turner Contemporary
Margate’s Turner Contemporary has played host to the third arts and poetry day organised by SpeakUPCIC, to raise awareness about mental health.
Listen Up III was held on February 26 and provided an opportunity for people to share their experiences through the power of poetry, art and music.
Maggie Gallant, managing director of SpeakUpCIC, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people speaking up about their experiences and what they need from their health service.
“Every single person had the opportunity to be heard and that’s why we put on events like this.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all our volunteers and members, who supported us at the Turner event.
“There was so much wonderful creativity and support from everyone. I feel so privileged to have met so many wonderful people.”
SpeakUpCIC is an independent mental health support organisation located in and covering Thanet and other parts of East Kent.
It provides a wide range of support including service user forums to capture and raise issues and concerns, peer support groups and activities, social media support groups, signposting and advice and is part of Live Well Kent.
Thanet Good Neighbours Scheme
Give a Bag Some Life is where members of the Thanet Good Neighbours Scheme – the Kent Coast Volunteering’s befriending scheme – have come together to decorate more than 70 blank canvas bags.
The popularity of the project, and quality of many of the bags, means they are now going to be sold at a fundraising auction on Friday, March 8, at the Comfort Inn, Ramsgate.
Auctioneer will be town promoter Rebekah Smith.
Harmony Ladies Choir
Harmony Ladies Choir will be performing a spring concert at St Thomas’ Church, Minnis Road, Birchington on Saturday, March 23, at 2pm.
Tickets are £5 and this includes refreshments. To book call 01843 868324/842160/602224 or tickets can be bought on the door.
Ramsgate Rotary Club
The popular annual quiz hosted by Ramsgate Rotary Club will return on Friday, March 15.
It will be held at St Peter’s Hall at 6.30pm for a 7pm start and contestants are invited to bring their own food and drinks.
Tickets priced at £6.50 are now available by phoning 01843 597825
Daisy Nicholls Delo and Jimmy
Daisy Nicholls Delo from Margate and her pet pug Jimmy will take part in Paws 4 Pilgrims, a sponsored walk for Pilgrims Hospices, on Sunday, March 24.
The pair are walking in memory of Daisy’s grandma, Pauline Georgina Nicholls, who received care from the hospice charity after she was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Pauline was from Westgate and worked for many years as a pharmacy assistant.
She was a loving and family-orientated woman who always put others before herself.
Her daughter and Daisy’s mum, Kirsty Nicholls, 47, said: “Mum was devoted to raising my sister Michele and I, then when her grandchildren came along she dedicated her life to them. She really was the best mum.”
Pauline was initially diagnosed with liver cancer in July 2017. She had chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and was doing well, but sadly the cancer spread to her bones and became incurable.
It was then that Pilgrims stepped in to help Pauline and her family.
She was taken into the Margate hospice on October 5, 2018, and passed away six days later, aged 72.
Kirsty said: “Mum wasn’t doing great when she arrived at the hospice, but she received the most amazing treatment and care. Pilgrims made her last week pain and stress-free and we will be forever grateful.
“The support we’ve experienced from Pilgrims as a family has been unbelievable; they helped Daisy through a really tough time, and my sister still receives their help now.
“Whenever she goes to the hospice the nurses and volunteer receptionists stop to ask how she’s doing, they always make time to talk.”
Daisy, 11, and Jimmy are taking part in the charity’s sponsored walk along the Deal coastline to say thank you, and to help other people who need Pilgrims’ care in the future.
Karen Kenward, community fundraising manager, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Daisy and her pooch Jimmy after they won a free entry into our Paws 4 Pilgrims event through our Christmas competition last year.
“I am sure they will be looking to win much more in the fun dog show, too, that follows after the walk.
“There are 12 classes to choose from, including Fastest Sausage Catcher to Dog with the Most Sparkiest Eyes.
“Daisy has already raised £165 through JustGiving to help provide palliative care for the next person who needs Pilgrims’ vital support. What an amazing gift. Thank you.”
Seaside Shuffle
February’s Seaside Shuffle featured Dave Ware’s Hotshots, playing their traditional jazz and including requests.
The multi-prize raffle was drawn during the buffet lunch break and Betty Renz did two guest vocals in the second set.
At the next event, Saturday, March 23 at 12pm, will be Doc Houlind’s Revival All Stars who are passionate about New Orleans jazz and are on their UK Tour.
Entrance £15 for all (including buffet) and is at the usual venue at the Small Boat Owners Club, Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate.
Orbit
Housing group Orbit has achieved a coveted place in the prestigious Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work for list.
It has attained this status following an independent survey of its employees carried out by Best Companies.
With a growing property portfolio of more than 42,000 homes across the country, Orbit, which has offices in Margate, employs more than 1,000 people across these regions.
Commenting on the achievement, Craig Wilcockson, Group People Director at Orbit, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have made the Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For list on our first attempt.
“It demonstrates how our own employees recognise that Orbit is a truly great place to work.
“We place people at the heart of everything we do and we will continue to create a culture that celebrates diversity and an environment where everyone feels able to contribute towards achieving together.
“We introduced our vision to lead in building thriving communities 12 months ago and we recognise that to be successful in achieving this we firstly need to create a thriving community for our employees.”