Charity News from Moneyway 2009

'It's surprising how with just a little time and effort, what a difference we can all make, nice one!'

The simple truth of the matter is that every single snippet of support, however large or small makes a real difference to someone's life. We would all like to think we had a choice in how we live our lives but in reality this is very often not the case.

This is our chance to give a little back…these are the charities that won our hearts for 2009...

The Foundation for Conductive Education

The Foundation provides practical direct services for children and adults with movement disabilities caused by disease or damage to the central nervous system.

People with conditions such as cerebral palsy, dyspraxia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and those who have had a head injury or stroke can benefit from this teaching and learning approach. Conductive Education teaches many life skills which allow its visitors to become more independent in everyday life. This can make a huge difference to the amount of care needed in the future.

They provide groups for children from six months to adolescence, ranging from short part-time sessions, to full time school placements, including the Foundation Stage and National Curricula. We also provide rehabilitation for adults, teaching them skills to overcome some of the physical problems caused by their disabilities and provide workshops for family and careers.

CE can help by teaching strategies to ensure maximum use of existing movements and the ability to learn how to perform new movements in different ways. The school and sessional service provide the practical base for our internationally recognised degree course, run in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton.
Conductive Education hold different events throughout the year to help raise money.

For more information visit www.conductive-education.org.uk

St Richard's Hospice

St Richard's Hospice cares for patients and families in Worcestershire who are living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Each year they give free care and support to around 1,800 patients and families - helping them towards the best quality of life possible.

Established in 1984 as a local independent, Worcestershire charity. It is one of almost 200 hospices in the country caring for people with cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

St Richard's Hospice was founded in May 1984 in Droitwich, taking its name from Richard de la Wyche who was born there in 1197 and who was declared a Saint in January 1262.

Initially operating from the home of Dr Jenny Bulman, Honorary Medical Officer, the Hospice moved a year later to Castle Street in Worcester. Originally founded as St Richard's Hospice at Home, in 1985 it merged with the Good Shepherd Hospice Group from Malvern when the name changed to the St Richard's Hospice Foundation.

Home Care services started in 1984, followed by Day Hospice in 1987 and the beginnings of an educational programme in 1988. As the organisation grew, so did the need for larger premises and the hospice moved to Rose Hill house which was officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales in May 1992. As hospice services continued to grow to meet demand, a £5.25m New Hospice Appeal was launched in 2004 to build and equip a new centre with the first urgently needed specialist palliative care In-patient Unit for South Worcestershire. Thanks to wonderful generosity and support in a huge variety of ways, the funds were raised and in 2006 the new St Richard's Hospice opened in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.

St Richard's serves the South Worcestershire population of 288,000, including Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich, Pershore, Upton upon Severn, Broadway, Evesham and the surrounding areas.

For more information visit http://www.strichards.org.uk/

Moneywaylook forward to raising funds to help St Richards Hospice in 2009.

Solihull Carers Centre

Solihull Carers Centre is part of The Princess Royal Trust for carers and provides information and support for carers of all ages. They run carers support groups, carers training and relaxation.

In total there are 5.7 million adult carers across the UK, of whom almost one million are looking after somebody for more than 50 hours each week. There are also estimated to be 50,000 young carers in the UK - young people under the age of 18 who might be helping to look after a parent with physical disabilities or mental health problems, or who may be caring for a brother or sister with learning disabilities.

A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness or disability.

Most carers would still not recognise themselves under the term 'carer'. They are just people trying to cope as best they can while helping to look after an elderly relative who has developed Alzheimer's, a partner with Multiple Sclerosis or a young child born with cerebral palsy.

They may even be juggling paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities at home.

For more information visit http://www.carers.org/local/west-midlands/solihull/

Moneyway look forward to raising funds to help Solihull Carers Centre in 2009.