WHAT’S NEW?
CARER’S DONATION DRIVE SUPPORTS VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC ABUSE A donation drive which was launched with the aim of supporting women and children at Harrogate Women’s Refuge has proven to be a huge success with £305 raised and countless toys donated.
The successful initiative was launched by Jessica Williams, a Care Supervisor at Bluebird Care Harrogate. Jessica’s selflessness and dedication to supporting the women’s refuge follows her own personal experience of staying in one back in 2018 aſter she was the victim of domestic violence by her ex- boyfriend on the night England lost in the World Cup.
According to the Office of National Statistics, in 2022 around 1.7m (6.9%) of women suffered domestic violence in England and Wales, while research by the University of Lancaster last year showed that violent domestic abuse incidents increase by 38% when England loses football matches.
For Jessica, her experience of domestic violence led to her being placed in a women’s refuge in Northallerton. While she was hours away from her home and family, it was here she was able to rebuild her life and regain her confidence, with the help of the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) and their team. However, during her time at the refuge she also met numerous women who had arrived with their children, with little to no belongings aſter being compelled to move quickly for their protection.
Amidst a growing cost-of-living crisis affecting people across the UK, and inspired by these moments in her life, Jessica decided to launch a donation drive in a bid to play her part, give back to the
community that helped her to get back on her feet, and support others going through a similar experience she did.
The donation drive has proved to be a huge success, thanks to the generous support from members of the community who donated numerous giſts including Lego, a scooter, a tablet, and many more items for families.
Jessica Williams said: “I am delighted with how the initiative has gone. I think it has been a real success and it’s meant a lot to me to know that the donations from this drive will make a real difference to the lives of other people going through what I know is such a difficult time.
“This is a cause which is very close to my heart, and I hope my story, and the generous donations, will go a long way towards helping other women and children.”
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk
CARE HOME RESIDENTS REMINISCE THROUGH THE
POWER OF MUSIC Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Shannon Court, in Hindhead, recently welcomed Terry Owens, a performer who has been coming into the care home for the past few months. Terry sings a range of songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s, providing a charming one-man show for residents to have fun together and reminisce about their youth.
Terry’s involvement with the care home did not start with musical shows, however. Before becoming a performer for Shannon Court, he was a Committee Member of the Association of Friends of Shannon Court for 10 years, including being the Chairman. The Association of Friends is an independent charity that works closely with the Home, supporting Shannon Court’s tireless staff members and organising fundraising events to help enhance the lives of the residents.
Terry said: “I sing regularly in care homes and I always found Shannon Court to be one of the very best. Residents are
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always keen to listen and enjoy my songs. They even sing the words with me.”
RMBI Home Shannon Court, in Surrey, is run by RMBI Care Co., part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
www.rmbi.org.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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