Kent Community News & Appeals

MSO & KAB - Concert In Partnership

Beginning with the next concert on Saturday 6th February 2010 at Mote Hall, Maidstone, and for the rest of MSO’s 99th season, 50% of each ticket sold through KAB to its supporters and users will be donated to KAB as a commitment to the partnership between Kent Association for the Blind and Maidstone Symphony Orchestra.

KAB is delighted to be celebrating its own 90th birthday year in partnership with MSO. Wendy Suffield, Community & Events Fundraising Manager at KAB says: “KAB and MSO are two venerable charities, which have stood the test of time and have both evolved to fit changing needs and improving expertise. KAB was established in the front room of a house in Sittingbourne on 22nd June 1920, principally formed for servicemen whose sight was damaged during the First World War. Ninety years later KAB’s work is more important than ever, with over 15,000 people using its services.”

Chris Gibbs of MSO says, “The Maidstone Orchestral Society (the forerunner of the Maidstone Symphony Orchestra) gave its first concert on April 24th 1911, performed with great enthusiasm in the Corn Exchange. Ninety-nine years later, on February 6th MSO will perform Brahms: Tragic Overture; Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending; Bruckner: Symphony No. 2, with Soloist Ben Hancox on the violin.”

Children under 18 accompanying an adult are free. There are a limited number of free places available through KAB for sighted guides – please contact Wendy Suffield on 01622 691357 for details.

Ticket prices are £12, £16 or £21 dependent on seating. To purchase tickets, telephone the Maidstone Symphony Orchestra on 01622 736392 and quote the code KAB 9010.

Pilgrims Hospice Fund Raiser - 23/01/10

Please support your local hospice by attending one of our events. All events are organised by local volunteers trying to raise money for Pilgrims.

If you wish to help, would like further details of future events, or to tell us of an event you are organising, please contact Sharon Burberry on 01233 504111.

Burns Night
Date: January 23rd 2010
Time: 19:30
Location: Montefiore Arms,Trinity Hill, Ramsgate
Tel: 01843 593265
Synopsis: An evening of entertainment .Burns Night Supper

Demelza House

Demelza is an organisation providing hospice care for over 570 children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Kent, East Sussex and South London through.

Demelza Kent is an 8-bedded children's hospice offering children the opportunity to enjoy residential short breaks (with the option of families staying as well) in beautiful Kent countryside.

Demelza is the only children's residential hospice in Kent, East Sussex and South London providing a wide range of services to life-limited children.

Within the Demelza family, they offer:

• Short residential breaks and day care at Demelza Kent and Demelza South East London

• Community Care through the Demelza Community Team

How you can help!

Help at the house
If you would like to help within the house, there is plenty we would love your help with. If you enjoy gardening, cooking, housekeeping or helping in a friendly office there is something for you.

Help the home hospice service
If you live in the East Sussex area and would like to help the Demelza James home hospice service, there are various ways you can help.

Advanced Volunteer Program
The Advanced Volunteer Program is for volunteers who wish to work closely with the children, families and the Care Team.

Help at the shops
We are looking for volunteers who can help at our shops with pricing, sorting, window dressing and serving the customers. To find out more click here.

Ambassador Volunteers
If you enjoy public speaking and would like to give talks to promote the Demelza Family, please click here to learn about our Ambassador Program.

Help us raise funds
Demelza House relies on volunteers to support its work with children suffering from life limiting conditions. We are currently looking for volunteers to help in the community with Fundraising events.

Vist the website for more information http://www.demelza.org.uk/

Volunteering In Ashford

Whether you are considering voluntary work or you represent an organisation which is looking for volunteers Ashford & District Volunteer Centre will be pleased to help.

They are here to:

Promote Volunteering
Recruit Volunteers
Promote Equal Opportunities in volunteering
Provide information, training and research into volunteering
Comment and campaign on volunteering
Develop volunteering opportunities

You'll find the Ashford & District Volunteer Centre at:

Ashford & District Volunteer Bureau
Berwick House,
8 Elwick Road
Ashford
Kent TN23 1PF

Open 9am to 3pm Mon to Fri

Tenterden Town Hall
High Street
Teneterden

Open 9.30am to 12.30 pm each Tuesday and Friday

On the web here

Registered Charity No 277125

Samaritans Medway, Gravesham and Swale West

Samaritans Medway, Gravesham and Swale West are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

Samaritans realise the importance of people having the opportunity to explore difficult feelings. Being listened to in confidence and accepted without prejudice can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

If you need to talk to someone, call the Samaritans on 01634 730981 or 08457 909090 or email jo@samaritans.org.

The Samaritans are looking for volunteers - ordinary people offering confidential emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those feelings which may lead to suicide. You don't need any formal qualifications or previous experience to become a Samaritan. You do need to be a good listener who can allow people the time and space to explore their feelings.

To volunteer, you need to be 18 years old or over and willing to give 22 hours per month, which will include one overnight shift.

If you would like to help, please call 01634 730981 for more details or register your interest on www.samaritans.org.

Kent Association For The Blind

The KAB is a registered charity aiming to provide a quality service, sensitive to the individual needs of those who are visually impaired, helping them to attain the highest level of independence. KAB welcomes donations to help support their activities which include:

Counselling, information and advice on all matters concerning sight loss
Encouraging people to increase their independence and safety
KAB demonstrates and provides equipment for everyday activities
Recording and distributing Talking Newspapers and magazines to help people keep in touch
Recruitment of volunteers to provide companionship
Development of sight, rehabilitation and resource centres throughout the County and in Bromley

Volunteers are always needed to support the important work of this organisation in areas like:

Helping at rehabilitation training courses
Driving people to and from events and courses
Driving a KAB mini bus
Helping in the production of the Talking Newspaper service
Delivering specialist equipment
Visiting
Helping at KAB Social Clubs and Craft Classes
Reading and writing correspondence
Helping as a fund raiser
Taking part in fundraising events eg. London Marathon, KAB abseils, parachuting
Helping at the KAB Maidstone Shop
Helping at one of the KAB Centres

For more details about the KAB visit www.kab.org.uk