downsmail.co.uk Cancer support
‘so rewarding’ ANadmirer of Jack Nicholson used a line from one of the Hollywood actor’s films to sum up his views about the Macmillan service. “You make mewant to be a better
man” is a line from Mr Nicholson’s character in the 1997 film As Good As It Gets, and Chris Banwell says this “sums up where I am coming from”. Six months ago Chris attended a training course for the VAM-ad- ministered project which provides practical and befriending help to people living with cancer. He said his work with two suf-
ferers, David and Lynn, had been highly rewarding. He said David was cheerful but Lynn struggled to cope. He said: “Her cancer has been spreading. She has been attending hospital for two years and has had a pretty appalling time of it. The lack of empathy and the longwait- ing times have been draining. “She was supposed to start chemotherapyweeks ago but is not in the right mental place. As a vol- unteer you have to be there for them; I have made that commit- ment and I have got to stick with it. “I feel that Macmillan in west
Kent is going to make great strides and Iwant to be a part of that.”
Voluntary Action Maidstone AGM | News
‘Before I joined project I lacked belief in myself’
A MAIDSTONE man who has bipolar disorder says volunteering has helped him find happiness after suffering a troubled child- hood.
Mohammed Maqbool (42), of Midhurst Court, struggled as a young person growing up in Pak- istan because of the stigma of poor mental health. He said his moods were “like a yoyo” and at the age of 16 his parents sent him to England to live with his uncle. At 19 he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Mohammed has been volunteering for the Platform
project, which includes events as well as helping to bring together mental health service users and providers. He told theAGM: “When I put on my Time To Change T-shirt I feel as though I am fighting for a great cause be- cause one in four people will suffer mental health ill-
Mohammed Maqbool
ness in their lives. “I am now at college four days a week and focusing on the next
steps in my life. If itwas not for the people at VAM I would not have the courage to talk to you today. “There is light at the end of the tunnel. The carers’ project, Platform and many of the other projects are doing great things and I would urge anyone who has the funding and power to not stop it. I would campaign to raise money. “Volunteering has changed my
life to a level I can’t explain; I have possibilities in front of me I never thought I would have. I always thought I would never be success- ful and I lacked belief in myself.”
Volunteers explain why they give their time
Shelley Attwell: “After losing my job at KCC I found my confidence had gone and I was quite nervy. I was quite lonely at home. Volun- teering has helped me build up my self-esteem and confidence. I feel myself again.” Julia Ward: “Since I retired I lost a
Distribution Leaflet
available with
Now
Maidstone and Malling’s No.1 Free newspaper
sense of structure and volunteering has given me this back.” Vanessa Knight: “I have had de- pression all through my adult life. I was first on medication at the age of 17 and in 2005 I was diagnosed with a borderline personality disor- der.
“Working as a V-Team volunteer
has helped to giveme focus; it helps me get out of bed. Even on a bad day I turn up to volunteer because of what I get out of it. I get a sense of belonging which goes a long way, having spent so long on the outside of things.”
Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective
An exciting exhibition
from theCartoonMuseum, London celebrating the career of Ralph Steadman.
Saturday 6December 2014
to Saturday 28 February 2015 £3/£2 Concessions andMMFMembers
Museum Late:
Special Steadman Evening Thursday 29 January 2015 17:30 - 19:00
Enjoy a social evening! Ralph himself
• Distribution area can be tailored to meet your needs
• Arrive through the letterbox with Downs Mail • From 3000 - 88,000 addresses per month • Competitive rates & volume discounts
for a quote, and see how easy it is to get your leaflet delivered with the Downs Mail
Call 01622 630330
will be holding a Q&A via Skype from his studio, giving a fascinating insight into his methods of working.
Licensed bar in our café, open throughout the evening Admission FREE
Image©Cartoon Museum Collection MaidstoneMuseum &Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’sStreet, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH
OPEN: Monday to Saturday 10:00 -17:00 CLOSED: Sundays & Bank Holidays 24-28 Dec & from 3pm 31 Dec 2014 -1 Jan 2015
@MaidstoneMuseum
facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum
www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk Malling January 2015 21
NEW
TAKE AWAY MENU
Local Indian Restaurant
FREE DELIVERY Open until 11pm every day
Free bottle of beer with every £10 spent
Local
Handyman All types of building
renovation and gardening work undertaken. FREE ESTIMATES •Carpentry • Brickwork • Tiling • Patio’s • Decking
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48