Thanet Earth June community champion
We are delighted to announce that Ursuline College has been chosen as our Community Champion for June.
What started as a simple email request for a donation of produce has quickly grown into what we believe is going to be an impactful collaboration which we hope will reach across our local community.
Following a presentation by the Youth SVP Committee, we had the chance to sit down with Ursuline’s Headteacher, Danielle Lancefield and some of her team to discuss the issues the school is facing not only in the current economic climate but also being located in an area which ranks in the top 5 in the UK for child poverty.
In an innovative and forward thinking move the college has encouraged a group of Year 10 students to set up the Youth SVP Committee to drive all fund-raising events. The committee meet every Friday to discuss new ideas and how to best distribute any funds. They are supported by approx. sixty of their fellow pupils.
Our commitment to Ursuline College:
- Thanet Earth has committed to donating produce regularly to the college
- Educational support where appropriate
- Supporting the college in their efforts in the local community
- A substantial financial contribution towards their fundraising targets across the year
Thanet Earth MD, Chris Butler said: “We are excited to be able to collaborate with Ursuline College, their innovative approach to fund raising is impressive and I believe that their ethos around helping those that need it most align perfectly with our Community Champions programme”.
Danielle Lancefield added “I am immensely proud of our Youth SVP and their leader, Miss Paula Gaffney. Their forward-thinking approach and focus on the ‘Serviam’ values our school is built on, makes them outstanding ambassadors for our school and the local community. We are incredibly proud to have forged a partnership with Thanet Earth and are so grateful for their support, generosity, and faith in our endeavours”.
In April 2022 the Thanet Earth Community Engagement Team (TECET) was established with the aim of promoting and enhancing the position of the company within the wider community by supporting local charity initiatives and good causes through sponsorship and donations.
The scheme plans 12 months ahead and nominates a different local cause for each month.
The Thanet Earth Community Engagement Team continue to build on this momentum and look forward to working with more good causes in our local community.
Diabetes Path to Remission
A woman who has reversed her type 2 diabetes by following the NHS ‘soup and shake’ diet is encouraging others with the condition to take control of their health.
Dolena Orr, from Birchington, has put her diabetes into remission after following the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme.
The 12-month weight loss programme provides support for people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity and is being trialled across 21 areas in England, including Kent and Medway.
It offers a low calorie, total diet replacement treatment for a three-month period, followed by healthy lifestyle support.
Since joining the programme in October, Dolena no longer takes daily medication to control her blood sugar levels.
The 54-year-old said: “I started the programme as I wanted to get my diabetes under control and improve my overall health and wellbeing.
“I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2019 and the nurse told me I’d be on metformin (medication to treat type 2 diabetes) for the rest of my life.
“In the lead up to the diagnosis, I had a very stressful year. I ended up with Bell’s palsy (a condition causing temporary weakness on one side of the face) for the second time in my life, which is a side effect of the diabetes and impacts nerves.”
Dolena, who works for a banking company, is due to finish the weight loss programme in October and has already lost four stone.
She added: “My health has improved significantly. I am no longer taking metformin or my blood pressure pills, and I’m also more physically able.
“The programme has helped put my diabetes into remission. I want to encourage others to take the leap and get control of their diabetes. If my story can help others do this, that would be amazing.”
Dr Becky Prince, GP Clinical Lead for Diabetes at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “We are helping thousands of people avoid type 2 diabetes by offering support at an early stage, while also making improvements for those who live with the condition.
“Making lifestyle changes early greatly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to severe complications in later life.
“The programme will not be suitable for everyone, and there are some eligibility requirements which people must meet to be involved. To find out if you are eligible, please discuss this with your GP or diabetes team at your next appointment.”
Find out if you are eligible for the programme at NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission.
Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel Press Release
Westgate and Birchington Inner Wheel is part of the largest women’s voluntary service organisation in the world. Our aims are to promote true friendship, to encourage the ideals of personal service and to foster international understanding. If all that sounds a bit boring, we also enjoy social activities, and meet monthly for a meal on the 3rd Thursday of the month at St Augustine’s in Westgate.
As we come to the end of the Inner Wheel year, here is a brief round-up of our activities, since July 2022.
In July 2022, President Iris Harvey, a founder member, handed over to Margaret Hawkins and Lily Doody, who have taken over as Joint Presidents. Their charity this year was Macmillan Cancer Care. During the year we held our usual social CAMEO coffee mornings or afternoon teas each month, but we commenced with a Macmillan Coffee Morning in September, in the delightful garden of Membership Officer, Carla, which raised £198.93.
We don’t have a formal meeting in August, but we decided to have a charity ‘Fish & Chips’ supper in Treasurer Kath’s lovely garden. Friends and partners were invited, members produced a selection of delicious desserts, and a raffle was held. We were delighted to have raised over £326.93 at the end of the evening.
At our first meeting of the new IW year, in September, we welcomed local author, Carol Creasey. She initially wrote about her severely disabled son’s life, but then she expanded into fiction, both crime novels and romance.
In early November we held a very successful Quiz evening which raised £760.50.
We enjoyed several events during the run up to Christmas, including the Christmas Tree Festival at St Thomas Church in Minnis Bay, the Joint Rotary & Inner Wheel Carol Service and a super Christmas Dinner.
We welcomed a speaker from the Dogs’ Trust, to our January meeting, and new member, Nursemin gave a very interesting talk on mental health, and drug and alcohol addiction.
Nursemin also recently ran the ‘Deal Half-Marathon’ raising £145 plus another £180 through Just-giving which went directly to Macmillan Cancer Care.
We held a ‘Beatles’ Tribute night on 21st April at the United Services Club in Birchington, with all the proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Care. A magnificent raffle was organised by Joint Presidents Lily and Margaret, and we raised £1125!
In May, our joint President, Margaret, hosted an afternoon tea in her lovely garden to raise funds for the overseas charity ‘Bees Abroad’. The delicious tea was laid out in the conservatory. Guests attended from all of the Thanet clubs as well as our own members, so it was a delightful occasion and a chance to catch up with other clubs. We made £212.
To celebrate King Charles III’s coronation we joined other voluntary organisations in Birchington to make and hang red, white and blue bunting. Our Inner Wheel ‘Shield’ was hung on the Churchyard gate.
We are fortunate in having 3 founder members who still join in our activities. Immediate Past President Iris Harvey is still a very active member, and although Christine Wilkinson and Liz Hobcraft have retired from formal membership, they both enjoy meeting up for social occasions. In fact, we enjoyed a CAMEO hosted by Liz in early June. Guests enjoyed time in her beautiful garden, before adjourning inside for coffee.
Some of our members were excited to sing at the ‘Songs of Praise’ recording at Canterbury Cathedral. We are looking forward to seeing the broadcast on 3rd September which will feature some of the hymns we sang.
Six members attended the District Rally this year, which was held in Maidstone. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, as you can see by the picture below.
We are busy planning our celebration lunch for our 40th Anniversary on October 19th.
If you would like to know more about our club, please contact Hazel on 07889 655497 or email [email protected]. We’d love to meet you.
Margate WI
Margate Women’s Institute has donated more than 100 handmade quilts to a QEQM Hospital ward to show their support for the work done in giving newborn babies the best start in life.
The idea was born after a founding member of Margate WI wanted to thank the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), based at the hospital in Margate, for the care they showed when her baby boy was born prematurely by almost ten weeks in 2015.
Weighing only 3lb 7oz, half the birth weight of an average newborn, her son was admitted to the SCBU, where he spent the next four weeks under close observation until he was strong enough to go home.
Louise said: “The care our family received was fantastic. Clear understanding and consideration was shown by every member of the unit’s medical team who supported us throughout a really difficult journey.
“We are eternally grateful to the SCBU’s team. The support they showed us and the other families in the unit was above and beyond. Not only did they look after our son, but they also took the time to teach us how to look after a premature baby.”
Never forgetting the excellent care they received, the family held a charity dinner at their home to raise funds for the SCBU. A total of £750 was donated to the unit to purchase a breast pump to assist new mothers in expressing breastmilk for their incubated babies. As there were some leftover funds, it was suggested that the cash be used to help bring joy and colour to the ward, by making tiny patchwork quilts for each of the cots.
The first batch of quilts were made by family members and given to the SCBU. Their story soon inspired fellow members of Margate WI, who in 2020 picked up their scissors, fired up their sewing machines and continued to sew for the good cause. The Margate Women’s Institute group itself was established in 2015, and currently has around 60 members who meet at least once a month to take part in activities, learn new skills and campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.
WI member Hilary, grandmother to the baby boy who was so well cared for by the SCBU, leads and co-ordinates the project for Margate WI. She said: “During lockdown WI members really picked up the baton to support the SCBU. Many learnt how to sew in order to make these quilts, and during that time they also made cannula covers to fit over the newborns’ arms, as well as canopy covers for the incubators, which were designed to block out light and help babies sleep.
“I feel lucky being part of a WI which has a lot of keen and talented quilters happy to continue this project. Fabric is donated or bought by the members themselves and to date we think there has been over 100 quilts donated by Margate WI.
“Each cotton quilt is unique and can be taken home by the parents of the baby who uses them, as a gift to keep and cherish.”
Hilary was able to present the ward with another 50 quilts recently, some of which were also from other community groups.
She said: “People have seen the work done and made more quilts for us to pass on to the hospital, so it’s really touching to know that our project is encouraging others to want to help too.
“The staff at SCBU were brilliant to my family when we needed them, they work so hard, and we hope these quilts brighten up their workplace as well as bring comfort to the parents and families who find themselves in need of the ward.”
Tracey Twyman, neonatal matron at the SCBU, said: “We are so grateful to Louise and Hilary, and their family and friends and fantastic members of Margate WI for their generosity and kindness in creating these beautiful blankets.
“Having a baby in hospital is a very stressful experience, as they know all too well, and the blankets help bring a touch of home and some welcome comfort.
“It is also lovely for our families to know people in the community are thinking of them.”
QEQM Hospital League of Friends
Grateful thanks to all those who kindly attended our recent AGM. Chairman Sylvia Pheils referred to us all being deeply saddened by the loss of our two most experienced trustees in Amanda & Jeremy Voizey who are very much missed, both as friends and for their huge and valuable input to our charity.
We are planning to provide a bench in the QEQM Hospital grounds in their memory.
On a happier note, Sylvia mentioned in the last financial year we spent £58,235 on items to benefit the Hospital ranging from £217 for a set of posters for Physiotherapy to an ultrasound machine costing £19,000. We also spent £400 on Christmas presents for inpatients.
Sylvia thanked our wonderful volunteers, trustees, donors, fundraisers & supporters for their contributions for which we are very grateful and on which we entirely depend. Amongst those given a particular mention were the members of the Ramsgate Ladies Darts League who have decided to support us in their fundraising and have already given us a donation of £10,000!
Sylvia did, though, comment that if we are to continue to support the Hospital we need at least 2 more trustees. So, if you might be interested please kindly get in touch. Information about how to do so, the volunteering opportunities available and on the work of our charity generally please visit our brand new website: www.qeqmfriends.com
We are very grateful to local company Broadbiz Web Services Ltd for very kindly providing this for us as part of their Community Programme.
Person search
I wonder if anyone can help. I am looking for a family who lived in Cecelia Grove St. Peter’s Broadstairs. We lost touch a good few years ago. Their names were Collingwood, dad Dave mum Jan and daughter Sarah.
Any information would be appreciated thanks in advance. [email protected]
Thanet safaris
Chartwell House
Six months have passed since Chartwell House by Boutique Care Homes opened its doors, and what an incredible journey it has been! We are thrilled to announce the Grand Launch Beach Party, a celebration of our vibrant community’s growth and success.
The beach-themed community party will take place at Chartwell House on will be taking place on Saturday, 1st July, from noon to 4pm, situated at 26 Draco Drive, Off Star Lane, Broadstairs, CT9 4FY.
We have planned an array of exciting activities and entertainment to ensure an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance. So get ready to immerse yourself in a day filled with sunshine, laughter, and endless fun!
Featuring:
Donkeys & Bouncy Castle.
Punch & Judy Show
Live Entertainment
Sand Castle Competition
BBQ, Candy Floss & Ice Cream
Diane Collins, Home Manager, said: ”I am absolutely thrilled to welcome the community and celebrate the incredible journey of Chartwell House over the past six months. This Grand Launch is a testament to the vibrant and caring community we have built together. I cannot wait to see everyone come together, enjoy the festivities, and create cherished memories.”
For more information about the event or any queries you may have, please call us at 01843 264 819.
Thanet Schools Young Artists
A Prize Presentation from Rotary District 1120 (South East) was held for the young artists winner of the intermediate age group Tara Gill age 12 , sponsored by Margate Rotary Club.
Theme, ‘sunrise and sunsets’.
With District 1120 Youth Chairman David Watson. Patrick Buckley , Youth Projects Committee chairman, Margate Rotary Club Brian Homewood District 1120 youth art chairman, and Thanet art Festival co-ordinator, Rotary Club of Margate
Kent Community Foundation
Thanks to the generosity and vision of the John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust, £400,000 has been made available to Kent Community Foundation to be used to support thirteen organisations.
With running costs continuing to escalate in the current economic climate, charities and community groups are invited to apply for three years non-restricted financial support from Kent Community Foundation’s Muti-Year Support Fund.
Applications are now open for the muti-year funding which will be paid in three instalments.
Successful applicants will receive total funding of £30,636 – £13,320 in August 2023, £10,656 in 2024 and £6,660 in 2025 giving them some financial security and much needed breathing space to forward plan.
Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact, Kent Community Foundation said, “Kent Community Foundation recognises that frontline organisations invest a great deal of resource into applying for funding, and sometimes find it challenging to secure funding for their core work and overheads. To acknowledge this, we have been supporting groups with unrestricted funding since 2018.
“We are delighted that in a period of great financial stress for the sector, the generosity and vision of the John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust will allow us to award three-year non restricted core funding to thirteen grassroots organisations.”
It is anticipated that one award will be made from each district and priority will be given to organisations addressing the most urgent needs in their community.
The funding can be used for core costs, for example utilities, rent, service delivery staff, support staff.
To find out more about the Multi-Year Support Fund visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding#multi-year-core-support-fund