Sunday 4th August
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Report written by Bournemouth runner
Seven Goodgymmers, Millie, Emma, Sophie, Mohammed, Roger, Keith and Lea, got together to help Patsy and Scott of the Dorset Children’s Foundation. Well… got together was not actually the word: we were split up, three at Pokesdown and four at the new premises in the Sovereign Centre. At Pokesdown Roger and Lea loaded a van with office furniture, crates of stuff and bags, while Keith did his favourite thing, unscrewing a huge desk. Once loaded, we went to the other site, but that sounded easier than it was. WHERE, oh where, did we have to be? Luckily we found out where to go and, more importantly, where everyone was. Then the unloading started. That was actually such a quick job that Lea got Patsy to give us some other jobs. She was mighty pleased when the girls helped with painting the bathroom, with Mohammed looking like a professional sanding down a cupboard. Roger and Lea also joined in the painting. With five of us there it was done in no time. And Keith?! He had the important task of trying out this wonderful hanging seat. Patsy was happily surprised at how we got on with things and is already thinking of other tasks we can do. Thanks everyone for your help!!
The Dorset Children's Foundation has been in operation for over 10 years. As a charity we receive no government funding. Sales from our 3 charity shops cover our modest overheads which means that 100% of all charitable donations can go on providing invaluable services for the families we support. We started out all those years ago just providing grants for individuals to purchase mobility equipment and fund life enhancing surgeries and therapies. Over the years, as we’ve met more and more families, we have been able to adapt and grow our range of services to meet the shortfall in support and services provided by statutory services. For our Accessible for All events and activities we have utilised church and community halls, hotel function rooms, local sports centres, cafés and schools, hosting lots of different events that bring our families together. Recently we’ve seen a dramatic rise in the hire cost of these venues, and at a time when demand for our services is at an all-time high, we are having to find ways which we can continue to provide vital services, without passing on the cost to our families, that we know are all struggling on low incomes. The time has come for us to find our own premises which has multiple uses, including space for events, storage for our 3 shops and much more! We will use the space to stage: Young Carers Club - Art Therapy Yoga - Small Group Play Sessions - cinema sessions - Lego Therapy - Story Time (multi-language) - Craft Days - Sing-a-long Sessions - Counselling - Wheelchair Fitness - Bereavement Counselling - Legal Advice Drop in - Talking Therapies - Holistic Therapies - Coffee mornings - Early Years support - Meditation/Mindfullness sessions - First Aid Training...and many many more!
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Needs to be removed as it is unhealthy and dangerous to leave around.