Tag: Southsea

Voucher donation boosts Portsmouth partnership

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A donation of vouchers to a Portsmouth charity has helped people affected by the pandemic to stay independent.

With more than 7,860 requests for support in a 19 week period between March and July, HIVE Portsmouth has been helping vulnerable people to stay safe and fed during lockdown.

Funeral colleagues in Portsmouth heard how hard HIVE and its partners had been working and wanted to do something to help. The area’s Sector Operations Manager, Sue Mawson, rallied support from eight of Southern Co-op’s funeral branches and donated £700 worth of the co-operative’s retail vouchers.

Sue said: “The pandemic has had a horrendous impact on so many people’s lives. There have been people who’ve worked their whole lives and have been suddenly made redundant and are in need of help. The vouchers were our way of helping people to get essentials which they were no longer able to afford such as toothpaste or plasters.

“We also collected up school uniform from our colleagues and donated them to HIVE’s swap shop. It was all in a good condition just grown out of and hopefully helped a lot of families in the area as they prepared to go back to school. Thank you to our colleagues in Copnor, Rowner, North End, Eastney, Southsea, Fratton, Paulsgrove and Somerstown who have helped.”

HIVE Portsmouth’s initial emergency response was based around helping vulnerable people to stay safe at home, through the provision of food parcels, essential medicines, prescription collection and welfare check calls.

In conjunction with many partner organisations, HIVE oversaw the provision of over 6,000 hot meals, 3,000 food parcels, 4,500 prescriptions and 15,000 well being checks to those that were anxious, scared or lonely.

Julie Hawkins, Strategic Partnership Lead at HIVE, said: “The vouchers have been wonderful in keeping aside and making easily available when needed. In a couple of cases they’ve been used to obtain shopping for people who were unable to get out. We have concentrated on families to date requiring support and the vouchers have enabled people to remain in control of the food they choose to buy which is important for self esteem and independence.

“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of others, and it has really felt that the whole city has been supporting the response. We are very grateful for everyone’s contributions and support and know that the recipients of the vouchers will have valued being able to choose their own shopping, which represents a return to ‘normality’ which is great.”

To support HIVE Portsmouth with its online development, Southern Co-op has also made a donation of £10,000.

With national headlines continuing to focus on the economic down turn, HIVE Portsmouth is welcoming further donations to help support those worried about job security, debt, bereavement or shielding.

People are invited to get in touch via www.hiveportsmouth.org.uk or to make a financial donation via Paypal through a button on its website.

For more information on Southern Co-op’s commitment to support local communities, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/love-your-neighbourhood/.

£1,000 donated to special Southsea cause

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A support service for people facing desperate situations in Southsea has been gifted them with a cheque for £1,000.

The LifeHouse is given a £1,000 donation

Colleagues at Southern Co-op’s new funeralcare branch in Albert Road, Southsea, celebrated its opening last Wednesday [14th November] and announced their new charity partner, The LifeHouse.

The charity is a kitchen, resource and support centre that serves hot food in Albert Road, Southsea, with an aim to show ‘there is a way out’ and ensure everyone has the opportunity to improve their situation through the variety of care and services on offer.

Mike Morell, Chair of Trustees at The LifeHouse, in Southsea, said: “We are so glad to partner with the Co-operative Funeralcare as their chosen charity partner of the year as they are such a close neighbour and an organisation with an unparalleled reputation.

“Southern Co-op has demonstrated such care for those on the edges of community over the years and have quietly but consistently backed projects that genuinely benefit the disadvantaged.

“Sponsorship backing this year is particularly vital as we seek to refurbish our worn-out kitchen and aim to deliver an ever-higher quality of service to our guests. There is a lot of work to do but LifeHouse will look and be amazing at the end! Thank you to Southern Co-op!”

The LifeHouse will now be the funeral home’s partner for one year as part of Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ scheme which addresses four key social themes – promoting ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

Portsmouth’s Deputy Lord Mayor David Fuller also attended the celebrations at the new funeral home where guests were able to tackle the taboo of funeral planning.

Portsmouth’s Deputy Lord Mayor David Fuller at the new funeral home

Councillor David Fuller, Deputy Lord Mayor, said: “I would like to thank the funeral home colleagues for being such professionals and providing an after care which is a credit to Southern Co-op.

“They have a friendly approach with a smiley face. It is a difficult professional and the warmth offered is great.

“The £1,000 donation is a brilliant start for LifeHouse and I know how chuffed they were. It is a good support for the local community and it is great how people mix in the community.”

Southsea’s newest funeral home is part of Southern Co-op – a co-operative society owned by its members who have a say in shaping the organisation’s future and also benefit from a share of the profits.

For more information on the Southsea funeral home, click here.

Everyone is invited to visit Southsea’s newest funeral home

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A new locally-owned Southsea funeral home is preparing to unveil the name of its chosen charity partner at its first open event in November.

Charity, cakes and coffins will be the focus of the event on Wednesday 14 November at Southern Co-op’s new funeral home at 128 Albert Road, Portsmouth.

Funeral Co-ordinators Lucy Thomason and Laura Gaul are inviting residents to find out about its community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ which includes opportunities for donations, volunteering and fundraising.

The branch’s new charity partner was selected following a county-wide appeal for nominations of good causes that promote a ‘greener’, ‘healthier’, ‘safer’ or ‘more inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

Southern Co-op’s Funeral Co-ordinator Laura said: “Funerals have never been an easy thing to think about or to plan for but, there are a lot of pre-paid funeral packages being advertised at the moment, so it is more confusing than ever.

“Luckily, because we are a funeral directors, not just a funeral planner, we can really help people understand pre-paid funerals and what support their loved ones would get if the worst were to happen.”

The new funeral home in Albert Road is part of Southern Co-op – a co-operative society owned by its members and formed in Portsmouth almost 150 years ago.

Whether residents are overwhelmed by the idea of funeral planning or simply want to plan ahead, the event is open to everyone from 5pm to 7pm.

There will also be a raffle to raise funds for the new charity partner.

For more information, contact the Southsea team in branch or on 02392 832151.

Walk against dementia

Posted on by ashleymarsh

A memory walk is being held along Portsmouth seafront to pay tribute to a colleague who lost his wife to Alzheimers.

Being organised by Southern Co-op’s funeral homes in Waterlooville and the surrounding area, the seven mile memory walk will be a relaxed stroll on Friday 26 October.

Colleagues taking part in the walk will be raising money for Alzheimer’s Society after Funeral Assistant Rob Morey, based at Southern Co-op’s Leigh Park funeral home, lost his wife Gina in February.

Ali Davison, Funeral Co-ordinator at Southern Co-op’s Waterlooville Funeralcare, said: “This is the first time we have organised a walk like this and the main reason was because we wanted to do something positive to show our support to Rob and his family.

“We also wanted to show our respect to all of the families we look after that have been affected by the illness.

“It won’t be a strenuous walk – we will start at the Clarence Pier and the aim is to walk to Eastney and back. There may also be a short stop if we are too worn out!”

People do not need to be an experienced trekker and can walk as far as they want.

The walk follows a route which is completely flat. Dogs, children, friends and family are all welcome.

The route is well-lit but walkers may want to bring a torch and are advised to dress appropriately.

Walkers will be meeting at Clarence Pier at 6pm, with the view of heading off at 6.15pm.

Find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to making a difference.

New Southsea funeral home seeks charity partner

Posted on by felicity

As a new funeral home in Southsea is preparing to open its doors to the public, an appeal is being made for a new charity partner.

The new funeral home in Albert Road will be owned by local people as it will be part of the Southern Co-op – a co-operative society owned by its members and formed in Portsmouth almost 150 years ago.

Southern Co-op’s Southsea Funeralcare is planned for opening on 20 August and colleagues are looking for a local charity partner to support over a 12 month period through various fundraising events.

Locals have until 21 September to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community.

The partnership could be with any local cause and is not limited to registered charities.

Wessex Cancer Trust has recently become a charity partner with Southern Co-op. Sofie Bennett, Head of Development at Wessex Cancer Trust, said: “Wessex Cancer Trust were delighted to be selected as one of Southern Co-op’s local charity partners.

“The whole team have fully embraced fundraising and awareness raising and together we’re making a real difference to local people affected by cancer. We are so grateful for all their enthusiasm and support.”

The project must meet one of Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ themes, namely creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “Since we launched our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme just over a year ago, we have partnered up with such a wide variety of charities and good causes 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 the communities which they work in so have come up with some great fundraising ideas including quizzes, tea parties, summer fetes and bike rides. There are so many ways to raise money for a good cause and have lots of fun at the same time. We look forward to finding Southsea’s new charity partner.”

For more information about Southern Co-op’s charitable partnerships or to apply, click here.