Tag: local

Co-operative community and care services expand to High Wycombe

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A free bereavement care service is now available in High Wycombe after one of the town’s funeral branches became part of an independent, regional co-operative.

The Bereavement Care service is offered by Southern Co-op to everyone in its local communities – regardless of whether they have used its services.

The free service is designed to help and support people struggling to deal with bereavement.

Since The Co-operative Funeralcare in Dashwood Avenue became part of Southern Co-op, the branch has also been fully refurbished.

Cared for by Funeral Co-ordinator Joanne Hoskins, the branch is now complete with a welcoming entrance area, a peaceful arrangement room and a calming reflection room.

Steve Pearce, Southern Co-op’s Chief Operating Officer for End of Life Services, said: “Since we welcomed the High Wycombe branch and colleagues into our family, we have been privileged to experience the high level of care which they offer local families and loved ones.

“It’s therefore a pleasure to be able to expand this personalised support and care through our Bereavement Care service as well as our community programme which is a mix of colleague volunteering, goods donations and funding possibilities.”

Via its Love Your Neighbourhood programme, Southern Co-op is committed to building a culture of neighbourliness, inspiring colleagues, members and customers to be community minded every day.

As well as colleague volunteering and goods donations, local causes can currently apply for funding of up to £500. The local funding is available for local causes which are working to create greener, healthier, safer and more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Funeral Co-ordinator Joanne, who lives locally in a small village just outside High Wycombe, said: “Having previously worked at the Beaconsfield branch before moving to High Wycombe in 2020, I recognise how important it is ensure someone’s final journey is personal and one to remember. It is all about the families we serve.

“As a 54-year-old mum of four and a loving nanny to my two wonderful grandchildren, I take great pride in my work and looking after my families is such a privilege.

“I treat their family member how I would expect my loved ones to be treated with respect, love and compassion.”

To find out more about Bereavement Care, visit www.bereavementcare.uk.

Donation helps a mother’s campaign to get people talking about drugs

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A mother, whose daughter tragically died after taking drugs at a festival, has high hopes for the new year as a financial boost will allow her to continue spreading her important message.

Since she lost her daughter in 2018, Janine Milburn has been working hard to get more people talking about drugs in a bid that others’ lives might be saved.

Janine, who works full time at a care home near Chichester, has spent the last year talking at various groups about her campaign ‘Georgia Jones Don’t Go With The Flo’ which looks at harm reduction and related topics such as peer pressure in teenagers.

She wants to keep these talks free and available to everyone but she is reliant on donations and has just received £500 from The Co-operative Funeralcare in Leigh Park.

Tracy Newman, Funeral Co-ordinator at the branch which is part of Southern Co-op, said: “Janine is an incredibly inspiring woman and she is so dedicated to what she is doing. My colleague Rachel Cast supported her with her daughter’s funeral and we’ve followed her campaign over the last year.

“We hope the donation will enable her to continue spreading important information about drugs. If just one life is saved then it has been worth it.”

Janine recently spoke at Hayling College and said the response from pupils and teachers was absolutely brilliant.

She also has some exciting news which she hopes to reveal in the next few months which will enable her to get the message to even more school children across the county.

Janine said: “I have spent a lot of time talking and waiting and making sure what I offer fits into what schools need to educate their pupils safely. There is a fine line between educating kids and putting ideas into their heads.

“In the last 18 months I have learnt so much. The more I have delved into it, the more I have realised there isn’t the resources out there.

Janine Milburn

There are just a handful of people like me.

“There’s a lot of people who just don’t want to talk about drugs but Portsmouth is one of the worst cities in England for drug related deaths. A lot of dealers are selling through social media. It’s scary.

“You get a lot of people who say it’s their own fault as they knew what they were doing. Georgia thought she knew what she was doing but she didn’t have a clue. They all think they are invincible.

“MDMA when it its purest form can be dangerous but it’s also a drug that gets mixed with dangerous things. The more people talk about it, the more they can learn.”

Full details of the campaign can be found on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/flos2018/.

For further details on Southern Co-op’s community investment programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/makingadifference/.

Summer Fun Day in Copnor

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Live music, family activities and a Disney princess are all coming together in Copnor for a Summer Fun Day in aid of a local charity.

The whole community is invited to join in with family friendly activities on Wednesday 28 August at The Baffins Pub in 127 Tangier Road, in Portsmouth.

From 1pm there will be live entertainment provided by Lisa Marie from the soul, Motown and pop duo The Estelles – who is also organising the event in her daytime role as a funeral co-ordinator.

Lisa Legg, aka Lisa Marie, works at The Co-operative Funeralcare in Copnor and is holding the event with Sharon Wallen, Leader of Not Forgotten.

The event will be raising money for Not Forgotten which gives local residents over 60 a place to socialise and remove isolation.

The member numbers have grown from five to 20 and activities range from a regular lunch club to day trips and pub quizzes.

The group is open to everyone and Sharon is hoping to raise money to help with transport for those less able.

Lisa Legg, from the Copnor branch which is part of Southern Co-op – the independent, regional co-operative, said: “I first heard about the charity Not Forgotten when I put out an appeal for community groups to get in touch who needed support – something all Southern Co-op colleagues are encouraged to do.

“As soon as I saw what the group does for local people, I knew I had to be more involved. I regularly help out at their lunch group and have donated cushions to make the chairs more comfortable.

“One of the great things about the group is that no one is excluded as even those who are under 60 are invited to join in and volunteer their time to help.”

The Summer Fun Day will include a visit from a Disney princess, Moana, around 2pm when she will be singing and signing autographs – with thanks to Gold events.

There will also be a raffle and a children’s colouring competition.

The event is not ticketed and organisers are asking for a small donation to attend – minimum of £1.

To support the charity’s members, The Baffins Pub is also kindly offering meals to members of Not Forgotten for just £3.

To find out more visit The Co‑operative Funeralcare in Copnor at 65 Tangier Road, call 02392 698362 or email CopnorFuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

Click here to find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference.

Double the charity spirit at upcoming pub quiz

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Quiz goers are being encouraged to polish off their favourite pens as a special quiz is being held in aid of two local charities.

The stimulating evening of trivia is returning for a second year and being organised by The Co-operative Funeralcare in Leigh Park – part of Southern Co-op.

To add a bit of healthy competition into the evening, teams will also be competing from J Edwards Funeral Directors in Waterlooville and Bedhampton who are helping to organise the event.

Last year the quiz raised £150 for Park Families, in Leigh Park, which provides childcare and education, respite for families and training for individuals and companies.

This year, the two chosen local causes will be The Rosemary Foundation – a charity providing a ‘Hospice at Home’ service around Petersfield, and Malmesbury Lawn Care Home in Havant.

Rachel Cast, Funeral Co-ordinator in Leigh Park, said: “Last year’s event was great fun as everyone had a good laugh – whether they knew the answers or not!

“But we wanted to go one bigger this year so we have roped in our neighbouring funeral directors. However, the night won’t be doom and gloom as we promise to keep the conversation light-hearted and on topic.”

The charity quiz night is being held on Wednesday 31 July from 7.30pm at The Swan Pub, in Jessie Road, Bedhampton.

Tickets cost £10pp with six people per team including a buffet and entry into the prize draw.

Caroline Hayter, Funeral Co-ordinator at J Edwards in Waterlooville, said: “The Rosemary Foundation is a hospice at home team based in Petersfield helping families within a 15 mile radius. They were absolutely brilliant last year when they helped my mum who passed away on the 11 July.”

To book, visit The Co-operative Funeralcare in Leigh Park, J Edwards Funeral Directors in Bedhampton or Waterlooville, call 02392 484499 or email leighparkfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

To find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference, click here.

Call for Alton villagers to nominate a local cause

Posted on by ashleymarsh

As a new funeral home in Alton is preparing to open its doors to the public, residents are being asked to nominate a local cause in need.

The appeal is being made by Southern Co-op – an independent, regionally owned co-operative society – who is opening the new funeral home at 71 High Street, Alton.

Residents are being asked to identify a cause which means something to the community and links in with Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ themes – creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “Every year we are able to support a wide variety of charities and good causes though our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme. This could be anything from local schools and men’s sheds to hospitals and mental health charities.

“Our colleagues across our retail stores and funeral homes have a passion for helping their local communities so we like to start how we mean to go on. Being part of Southern Co-op, this funeral home will benefit from our community engagement programme which includes opportunities for donations, volunteering and fundraising.”

Alton’s Co-operative Funeralcare is set to open on 25 March.

People have until 25 April to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community. This could be for any local cause and is not limited to registered charities.

To make a suggestion of a local cause, email community@southerncoops.co.uk and mention Alton Co-operative Funeralcare.

For more information about Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ scheme, click here.

Funeral home horses around for charity

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Football teams in Whitchurch are one step closer to the light as a charity race night raised £1,145 for the cause.

Hosted by Southern Co-op’s funeral home in Whitchurch, more than 80 people turned up to the race night on 28 July.

The fundraiser was held in aid of Longmeadow Sports and Social Club to raise money for new training lights for the local football teams.

Jessie Chamberlain and Denise Meaden, Southern Co-op Funeral Co-ordinators in Whitchurch, said: “There was excellent support on the night with everyone enjoying the excitement of the races.

“We were really impressed with the turnout and it meant that the event had an excellent atmosphere. The races may not have been live but a lot of us felt like we were there at the side of the track.

“By the end we were on an amazing high. Raising so much money for our local club means a lot to us. We are proud to be part of our local community.”

On the night, punters paid to become the sponsor of a horse for each race before a real life race was played out on the big screen.

There was also a chance to get porky as the big finale was none other than a pig race.

Although the pigs were not running live, the bidding to become the owner of each pig was feverish with £150 being paid in total.

With each race, the owner or sponsor of the winning animal received the race’s prize.

There was also a raffle which raised extra funds for the special cause.

Click here to find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to the local community.

Students’ bespoke birdboxes help paint picture for Riverfest

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Art students from Medina College have applied their creativity to paint eleven chic bird boxes for the local community as part of Riverfest, being held on Saturday 17 May in Newport.

The Southern Co-operative is supporting Riverfest, which celebrates the heritage, community, businesses and wildlife associated with the River Medina. A team from the Island’s Co-operative Funeralcare branches, part of The Southern Co-operative, will have a community stand at Riverfest. Jo Gibson, Funeral Co-ordinator at their Ryde branch explained: “The Southern Co-operative is committed to being a responsible and sustainable business and actively involved in the local community, so supporting Riverfest makes a lot of sense. We asked Medina College to have some fun with us decorating bird boxes and these will be on our stand at Riverfest for visitors to judge their favourite.”

Visitors to the stand will also be invited to try their luck on the chocolate tombola and hamper raffle; children can have their hair braided and face painted too. There’ll also be plenty of information about The Co-operative Funeralcare’s community activities and fundraising for local good causes on the Island.

Jo added: “Following Riverfest, some of these beautiful bird boxes – each one an original piece of art – will be put up in local cemeteries and we’re donating one to the garden at Medina College. We’ll also be selling some on The Co-operative Funeralcare’s stand at Riverfest to raise money for our charity.” The bird boxes were made by volunteers at the Riverside Centre’s wood workshop. Riverfest, a free community event organised by The Footprint Trust, is in Newport on Saturday 17 May from 11am-3pm. https://www.footprint-trust.co.uk/riverfest.html

Medina College students decorate birdboxes for The Southern Co-operative stand at Riverfest (2)

 

Partnership approach to benefit Isle of Wight Foodbank

Posted on by ashleymarsh

Isle of Wight Foodbank is to benefit from 15 new collection outlets as the result of a partnership between The Southern Co-operative, its co-operative funeralcare business and The Co-operative Group.

The partnership was initiated by The Southern Co-operative as it sought to find a more viable solution to the shortage of stock for the Isle of Wight Foodbank. Last May, The Southern Co-operative (TSC) donated £1000 worth of food to match fund a donation from Isle of Wight Council in response to an emergency appeal by the Foodbank. This followed a £12,500 donation to the Island’s Foodbank from TSC’s Community Support Card scheme at its Cowes store which enabled the Foodbank to buy a new van to collect and distribute food donations across the Island.

Gavin Hallam, Area Manager for The Southern Co-operative explained: “Community support is very important to The Southern Co-operative and with more people seeking the help of the Foodbank, we wanted to provide a more viable long term solution. We’ve installed new collection points in our own stores in Cowes, Freshwater, Lake, Mill Hill Road in Cowes, Ryde and Shanklin and The Co-operative Group is adding these collection points to its stores in Shanklin, Ryde and Newport. In addition our own co-operative funeralcare branches in Sandown, Newport, Ryde, Freshwater, Shanklin and East Cowes will take in donations of food to pass onto the Foodbank.” Gavin added: “Our customers are always so supportive of our community work and fundraising, and we appreciate their generosity with donations of packet, dried or tinned foods to help those in real need. Having more collection points also helps to publicise the scheme for those who need its help.”

According to Hannah King, Project Manager  at the Isle of Wight Foodbank, demands on the foodbank are increasing with 6241 people helped in 2013/14 compared with 4018 for the same period in 2012/13. Hannah said: “Having organisations such as The Southern Co-operative on board and supporting our work in this way is fundamental to the success of our being able to keep up with the demand we face serving our clients in need. Not only does their help assist in increasing donations but it also flags up the remit of the foodbank and the plight of those we serve.”

Mike Partridge, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the Trussell Trust, said “We are delighted that The Southern Co-operative has been so supportive of the Isle of Wight Trussell Trust foodbank. It’s partnerships like this that will ensure local communities are equipped to help their hungry neighbours.” Mike added: “One in five mums are skipping meals to feed their children in the UK today and rising living costs mean that more families are struggling than ever. Over the last six months we have seen the demand for foodbanks triple. Since April 2013, our network of Trussell Trust foodbanks has provided three days emergency supplies to over 550,000 people in crisis. The Southern Co-operative’s support at this time of acute national need is really appreciated.”

The foodbank is asking for dried, tinned or packet food including cereals, tea and coffee, rice and pasta, tinned meat and fish, pasta sauces, tinned tomatoes, fruit and sponge pudding, UHT milk, biscuits and snack bars.

In addition to Foodbank collection points on the Isle of Wight and in six of its Portsmouth stores, The Southern Co-operative recently donated £1000 to Chichester Foodbank and extended collection points to four of its stores in the city plus £5000 to Haywards Heath Foodbank through its Community Support Card scheme. isleofwight.foodbank.org.uk

IOW Foodbank partnership