Introduction
Welcome to the spring newsletter of Families Supporting Care. The Charity – which was formed in 2011 – aims to help support residents whose funds have diminished and might otherwise have to move out of the environment to which they have become accustomed. Since its formation, Families Supporting Care has helped over 60 people and is currently supporting two residents. More information about funding and how to donate to the Charity can be found later in this newsletter.
News and Events
Since the January newsletter, the Charity has raised over £1400 including £430 from the quiz night held at Farnham Mill on 2nd March.
Donations through the bistro boxes at all homes continue to be very disappointing. Every little helps, as they say – please look for the collection buckets alongside the goodies and coffee machines, and the notices showing how to contribute through the QR code if you don’t have cash.
Our next quiz night will be held at Hill House on Monday 1st June 2026 – cost, to include drinks and snacks, will be £10 per person and tables can be booked now through any of the home receptionists or by emailing: lauren.stoneman@woodlands-hillbrow.co.uk. The Charity will also be running raffles at a number of events to be held at each of the homes in June and July.
Fundraising
With blue skies above, how about signing up for a sponsored sky dive for our Charity. Our partnership with goskydive.com means that they take care of everything for you. The date can be flexible to suit you and, if 8 or more people want to jump together, we can get a plane for our exclusive use. We can also refund the cost if sufficient sponsorship is raised for the Charity. Matt and Harry loved the experience last year watched by friends and family so, if throwing yurself out of an aircraft appeals, get in touch at: https://www.goskydive.com/charity/families-supporting-care/ or contact any of the trustees for more information.
Raffle prizes are needed for future events so, if anyone would like to donate something, please leave items with any of the home receptionists for us to collect. Our fundraising portfolio also continues to include our lottery using www.givinglottery.org.uk. This allows anyone interested in a monthly flutter the opportunity to support Families Supporting Care who will receive 40% of subscriptions. The site also includes a regular “Super Draw” that’s always worth considering. You can play by going to the site above and searching for “Care Home Residents” or through the link at: www.familiessupportingcare.org. Notices are displayed in each home about the superdraws.
The Importance of Donations
Apart from fundraising events, donations from residents’ families are an essential source of income for the Charity. Key to this are the collection mini-buckets alongside each of the“Bistro” counters at the homes where tea, coffee, soft drinks along with cakes and biscuits are provided for visitors and residents. If visitors don’t have any cash with them, each poster and mini-bucket has our “Just Giving” QR code (reproduced below) so there’s every opportunity to help us. Additionally, ad hoc contributions are always welcome – for example, legacy donations and Wakes collections. Information about the options available can be obtained from any of the trustees.
Donations can of course be augmented through the use of Gift Aid where individuals qualify to make use of that facility. Specifically, each donation gift-aided means an extra 25% can be claimed back from HMRC. Contributors can also be made using the Charity’s “Just Giving” page (ideally with gift aid) at: https://familiessupportingcare.org. We are very grateful for all monies received, whatever the source.
Trustees and Further Information
The Charity is managed by the following trustees who can be contacted through the main Woodlands-Hillbrow reception desk or via email using the address below. If any reader would like to join us, please get in touch with the secretary or chairman at the email address below or ask any of the home receptionists to pass on your details to us.
Elizabeth Butt – Honorary President
Derek Dunthorne – Chairman
Helen Gould – Secretary
Andrew Day – Treasurer
Michael Ferguson
Paul Mannering
David Maxted
Irene Wilson
More information about the Charity can be found at: www.familiessupportingcare.org. Emails can be sent to: info@familiessupportingcare.org. Social media presence is at: facebook.com/FamiliesSupportingCare. A leaflet is also available at the Woodlands, Hillbrow, Hillhouse and Farnham Mill care homes.
Dates For Diary
-
Quiz at Hill House – Monday 1st June
-
Woodlands raffle – Saturday 20th June
-
Farnham Mill raffle – Saturday 27th June
-
Hill Brow raffle – Saturday 4th July
-
Hill House raffle – Saturday 11th July