Scheme launched to help elderly and vulnerable people with household maintenance

Community Impact Bucks has announced the launch of its free Bucks-wide scheme to help elderly and vulnerable people in the county with household maintenance.

Funded by the four district councils, the free service offers visits and help from DBS-checked Community Impact Bucks staff members and volunteers. The types of jobs undertaken include:

• Home safety and falls prevention measures
• Odd jobs, e.g. replacing light bulbs, resetting clocks/thermostats, repairing door handles
• External maintenance, e.g. garden clearance, leaf collecting, painting fences/sheds
• Home security measures, e.g. locks, wireless alarms, key safes
• Small DIY jobs/tasks, e.g. flat-packed furniture, putting up shelves

Read more information on the Handy Helper project.

If you would like any further information, contact Samantha Hardy, CIB’s Project Manager: Samantha@communityimpactbucks.org.uk / 0300 111 1250.

Help to shape a brand new charity supporting families of those with life-limiting conditions

A message from Forever Colours Children’s Hospice

Forever Colours Children’s Hospice is a new and innovative charity looking to set up services in the Buckinghamshire area. We would like to offer help to families with children and young people who have complex needs that fall into the category of life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

We understand how difficult life can sometimes be for families, and wider family members who have to contend with such realities. As a charity we are also keen on being completely family-focused and supporting families the way they would like to be supported.

We would like to hear from such families as to how they would like to see a charity like this operate. Therefore we would like to give you this opportunity to contact us directly to discuss what you believe such a service should look like. It is important to understand this is a blank canvass and a chance to really have a voice in how a brand new charity is going to develop and grow. It is a great opportunity for Forever Colours to also gather information on where there may be gaps that we can help fill alongside other care providers in your area.

Similarly, if you are looking for volunteering opportunities and want to be part of an exciting team and help shape the direction of a new charity, please reach out to us.

Please feel free to contact us directly on 07376 396426 or contact one of our Founding Directors, Jules, on jules@forevercolourshospice.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

Chilterns MS Centre - Make a Will Month

Chilterns MS Centre is holding its first Make a Will Month during October and November.

They have partnered with local solicitors who will waive their fees for a standard will in lieu of a donation to the Chilterns MS Centre. The solicitors have various appointments available.

If you’re interested in taking part in Make a Will Month and want more information, visit the Chilterns MS Centre’s ‘Gift in Will’ page.

Seymour Taylor making a difference locally 

Leading Wycombe-based accountancy firm Seymour Taylor worked alongside the Chiltern Rangers on 23rd August taking part in one of their popular Be A Ranger days.

It was a fabulous day for ten of the Seymour Taylor team who got the chance to take part in some CSR with a great local charity that really makes a difference within the local area. The team helped at the Rye, clearing litter and making bird boxes to go in the trees. This is Seymour Taylor’s second Be A Ranger day with the Chiltern Rangers.

Simon Turner, Managing Director of Seymour Taylor, said: “As part of our ongoing CSR commitment we like to work alongside a local charity each year, running an event our team can support and get involved with. The Chiltern Rangers work in the local community providing practical habitat management of the woodlands, chalk grasslands, commons, ponds and chalk streams in the Chilterns’ area. Taking part in these days is a great way for teams to bond together and to make a positive difference to the local habitat. Our team at Seymour Taylor love the Be A Ranger days as they can see there and then the difference they are making to the local area.”

John Shaw, Managing Director of Chiltern Rangers, added: “Businesses like Seymour Taylor can make a real difference to the environment by working at one of the many fantastic nature reserves across The Chilterns.  Our expert rangers have over 30 years’ experience in conservation and over 5 years’ expertise in running outdoor team building sessions. Teams that come on our Be A Ranger days not only enjoy the Chilterns’ countryside and its fascinating wildlife, but also get a day of exercise, fresh air, and for many, a life-enhancing experience.”

For your chance to book a Be a Ranger day for your team, visit https://chilternrangers.co.uk.

Heart of Bucks announce new CEO

Heart of Bucks has announced the appointment of Henry Allmand to the position of CEO effective from 2nd September 2019. Henry takes over the role from Peter Costello who left to follow his long-held dream of relocating to Scotland.

Heart of Bucks is a community foundation dedicated to improving the lives of people in Buckinghamshire through grant and loan funding. They support a range of charities and community groups that are working tirelessly to make positive change locally.

Henry has spent his career working in local government in Buckinghamshire and has experience in delivering a diverse range of public services including welfare benefits, homelessness prevention, social housing development, and community safety. 

The Countess Elizabeth Howe DL, Chair of Trustees for Heart of Bucks said:

“Peter's departure left us with some big shoes to fill and we knew how important it was to get the right person to take on the job of leading our organisation, in what is undoubtedly a challenging time for the third sector. We are therefore delighted that we can now announce the appointment of Henry Allmand as our new Chief Executive.”

Away from work, Henry has previously been a trustee for a Bucks charity focused on providing support to elderly residents in the county and currently volunteers as a mentor for pupils in local secondary schools. He is also a part-time Reservist in the British Army and has a particular interest in how veteran military personnel are supported in civilian life.

Following the announcement, Henry said: “It's incredibly exciting to start my journey in the third sector in such a vibrant and engaging team. As a long term resident of Bucks, having attended school locally and with many family and friends living here, I am enthusiastic about the local area and I want to play my part in ensuring all parts of our wider community continue to grow and develop in a positive and inclusive way.

“If you care deeply about your community and are interested in finding out about Heart of Bucks, or just simply want to talk all things Buckinghamshire, then please do get in touch as I'd love to speak to you!”

For more information about Heart of Bucks or to get in touch with the team, visit heartofbucks.org.

Social entrepreneur awarded place on learning programme to improve local community

Michael Brown, the Founding Director of Empower to Cook CIC, a social enterprise in High Wycombe, is one of 80 leaders across England to have been selected for a competitive learning programme and grant of up to £10,000.

More than 230 people across England applied for the Community Business Trade Up Programme, run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Power to Change. The programme supports people improving their local communities through trade.

The programme will help Michael to grow Empower to Cook, which improve the lives of local residents through practical cookery classes that instil not only better food choices but confidence and motivation to try new things.

Michael will soon begin a nine-month learning programme at the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE). SSE helps people develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems. They will also receive a grant of £10,000.

Michael says: “I am delighted to have been accepted onto the Community Business Trade Up Programme, run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Power to Change. My second programme at the SSE. The programme and grant of £10,000 will help me grow Empower to Cook so I can support more people in High Wycombe and beyond.”

Alastair Wilson, CEO of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, says: “We are thrilled to welcome Michael onto the programme, for a second time at the SSE. He will learn alongside other community leaders how to create lasting social impact for the region. We are confident Michael has the entrepreneurial qualities and motivation to increase the impact on High Wycombe even further, which is why we have awarded him a highly-coveted place.”

Find out more about the programme and register your interest for the 2020 programme at www.the-sse.org/courses/community-business.

Grant award enables Players Theatre roof repair

Repair work has now been completed on part of the roof at the Players Theatre in Thame, following the award of a £5,000 grant made by South Oxfordshire District Council earlier this year. The grant was awarded to Thame Players Theatre Company, a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, as part of the council’s Community Councillor Grant Scheme 2018/19.

The Community Councillor Grant Scheme enables each South Oxfordshire District Councillor to award up to £5,000 to projects or services offering community benefits in their ward area. The grant, which was match-funded from Thame Players Theatre Company’s own resources, was necessary to repair the entire length of a flat section of roof, part of a 1980s extension made to the theatre, which had been requiring attention for some time.

Beneath this part of the roof are backstage spaces used by cast, crew, wardrobe and stage management staff continually when productions are running and during rehearsals too. These areas are also frequented by performers and crews of visiting shows at least 25 times a year, and by community groups who hire the theatre from time to time. Thame Players also take small groups on tours of the backstage area when requested. These essential repairs mean that the roof is now secure and there is no risk to passers-by beneath who are working or performing at the theatre.