£5,000 grant helps plan to re-open charity’s clubs
A CHARITY that operates more than 90 clubs for older people across Dorset and Hampshire has received a grant of £5,000 from The National Emergencies Trust (NET).
Brendoncare Clubs, run by Winchester-based charity The Brendoncare Foundation, will use the money, which has been made available from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and is being administered by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), towards staff costs to pilot the re-opening of the Brendoncare Clubs across the county.
Although Brendoncare Clubs has been temporarily closed since March, there have been 11,000 contacts made to members and volunteers as part of its telephone contact and support service, 153 virtual club meetings and 55 digital connection sessions.
Although the desired pilot to reopen a few clubs has now been paused due to the new lockdown in England; planning continues so that when the clubs are able to re-open, members and volunteers can feel safe and secure to visit again.
Sam Agnew, head of Brendoncare Clubs, said: “We have heard from our members that since the clubs closed in March they have missed the social contact and the time with friends – the fun and laughter.
“We are committed to getting people back together when it is safe to do so and the support from NET and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation gives hope to our hundreds of members that this will happen.”
Jonathan Cheshire OBE, HIWCF chairman, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Brendoncare Clubs in their work to help those in need in the local community. Brendoncare runs over 90 clubs in places including Farnborough, Fleet, Yateley, Hartley Wintney, Alton, Southampton and Portsmouth.”