Introduction
Welcome to the winter 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. More information about funding and how to donate to the Charity are on the second page of this newsletter.
News and Events
Since the autumn newsletter, the Charity has raised over £3400 including contributions from two quiz nights, the Christmas raffle and significant donations in memory of a former resident as well as sizeable donations raised during Wakes for two other former residents.
The winning Christmas raffle tickets were as follows in order of the prizes available: 146, 332, 057, 321, 072, 953, 976, 997, 275 and 102 – all numbers preceded by 00. We are very grateful to all of those who donated prizes including: Woodlands-Hillbrow, Accurate Mechanical Services, Clark’s Butchers, Everest Tandoori and Brakes.
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 Farnham Mill on Monday 2nd March 2026 – cost, to include drinks and snacks, is £5 per person and tables can be booked now through the any of the home receptionists or by emailing: lauren.stoneman@woodlands-hillbrow.co.uk.
Fundraising
We lintend to repeat our successful sky diving event later in the summer through our continuing partnership with goskydive.com although individuals are also able to sign up using the link on our web site to arrange a dive on any date to suit them and benefit from our discount. The Charity will also refund the entire cost of the dive to anyone who raises £550 through sponsorship.
The Charity benefitted hugely from Anna Martinez’s ultra marathon sponsorship last August and we are especially keen to encourage anyone intending any sort of challenge to follow her example. Details of how to use our Just Giving page can be provided to anyone interested. Come on all you keen – or not so keen but willing – athletes!
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 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 Farnham Mill – Monday 2nd March 2026