Interesting talk for WI
BARROW WI met representatives from two charity-based organisations who gave us an insight on how they are run, who benefits from them and the challenges they face.
Mike McLoughlin, a volunteer from the Baldwin Trust, has worked for the charitable organisation for 20 years.
It was created in 1983 to provide narrowboat cruises for community groups, friends, family groups & isolated and less-mobile people.
They have also hosted visits for children from Chernobyl. A group of up to twelve can relax on the Leicestershire waterways, departing from various places including Pillings Lock marina & Thurmaston marina, enjoying a scenic cruise for 4-7 hours.
With a choice of two narrow boats, Dandelion & Halseyon Days ( a third currently being renovated), a qualified skipper, accessible for mobility needs and fully equipped for catering, you are assured of a great day out.
The Baldwin Trust was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2010. Without the enormous generosity from the public & their band of volunteers, they would not be able to run this incredible service.
Jill Butler has been a volunteer for the Charnwood’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau ( established in the 1940’s) for twenty years. Unfortunately, Jill could not be with us in person, so Doriter, a WI member and who had also worked at the Bureau stood in & gave a brief summary of the information, support & practical assistance they provide for the public.
Some of the issues that the CAB are presented with range from debt & benefit problems, housing, medical negligence, relationship breakdown problems, immigration & legal advice. Clients often turn to the CAB after they have tried all options to redeem the situation they find themselves in, often through no fault of their own. Illness, low-paid jobs, bereavement & redundancy, can contribute to the despair people face.
With the help of their amazing volunteers, a client can leave the CAB feeling more positive & optimistic after the confidential, expert advice they receive.
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau is a charity, funded partly from Charnwood Borough Council, but this does not cover all running costs. They have a small group of paid staff but the majority are trained volunteer advisers. The service could not continue to run without public donations & their wonderful volunteers.
We finished the evening discovering who the “Brain of Barrow” was when Pat’s Quiz was completed. I know Mary Payne, Mary Thompson & Val Jollands were on the winning team who received a bag of humbugs each. Apologies to the other members of their team whom I cannot recall.
Next month’s meeting at the Conservative Club will be on the 12th February at 7.30pm when Glen Lewin will be introducing us to “Sausage Making”. Visitors are most welcome.