Autumn 2017 newsletter

Welcome to our autumn newsletter.

It's been a very busy and productive few months with new projects and staff joining us, a new volunteer membership scheme starting for VASL and no sign of a slow wind down to Christmas...

Our Community Champions project, funded by a grant from The Big Lottery for nearly £500,000, began in July and already has succeeded in attracting new volunteers that are ensuring the lonely and isolated are beginning to live more inclusive and rewarding lives.

Our website is packed with information about us but have a bit of a catch up now with a few of the things that we have been up to.

Nickie Philbin
Digital Marketing and Publicity Coordinator 01858 439264 nphilbin@vasl.org.uk

East Midlands Today filmed one of Community Champion get togethers when we announced our Big Lottery success

Our Carers Choir celebrated their 3rd birthday

Carers don't often get the chance to have "me" time in a supportive environment that is not health related. It's a chance for them to have fun and meet people that understand. Each year it gets harder to get funding to keep the choir going and they have now set up a fund raising team

We are trying to raise over £3000 to run the choir next year and if you would like to donate, please follow this link https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/vasl/choir

This is David (holding cuppa) one of our volunteer drivers along with Colin, whom he regularly drives. Our car scheme relies on volunteer drivers to get people to hospital appointments, shopping or leisure activities, if they can't use public transport.
"I'd recommend becoming a voluntary driver - I felt I wanted to give something back to Market Harborough" says David.
If you'd like to find out more about how to become a driver - get in touch transport@vasl.org.uk

VASL Support for Carers has supported over 7150 unpaid carers in Leicestershire since it began 6 years ago.

Cheer up your Christmas shopping by using this link - retailers will donate to us and it won't have cost you a penny. It's a great way of supporting your local charity

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/vasl/

Carers trip out to The Blitz tea rooms in Kettering.

VASL runs many different projects for carers throughout Leicestershire and we are keen to do more. We are going to be taking on a new member of staff to join the support for carers team, if that is something you may be interested in, email hr@vasl.org.uk
Carers need to be able to look after their own wellbeing and we want to give them the strength to carry on caring.
Take a look here for full details of what we provide at the moment http://www.supportforcarers.org.uk

We've been making a film about VASL, interviewing carers, volunteers, drivers and staff to find out how VASL makes a difference and some of the stories are very moving. We can't wait to see the final cut and share it with you.

Once the films are edited we will put them on our website.

Harborough MP Neil O'Brien talked about his interest in tackling loneliness in his maiden speech and was keen to know what happens locally. He met up with Maureen and Rohini to discover what our Community Champions project does to help.
What does it do? Take a look here and get in touch with us if you think you know anyone that would benefit from being involved.
Neil has agreed to co-host an event with us during the Befriending Week on Friday 3rd November 2-4pm to celebrate the difference that volunteers make.

Community Champions has welcomed a new member of staff Sam Gisborne to the fold now the project has got bigger and we hope she will be very happy working with us.

New VASL mental health project for Harborough starts in October

The importance of looking after your mental health is now an area that we are all increasingly aware of. VASL has started a new three year project called My Mind Matters, in Harborough District. It provides one to one support, peer and telephone mentoring and lots of resources to support people in managing their own recovery.

Call 01858 411383 to find out more or visit http://vasl.org.uk/our-projects/my-mind-matters

VASL are working a lot closer with businesses

VASL can help improve your staff retention, build your reputation and improve the lives of your staff, neighbours and friends.
Many of your staff may have caring responsibilities or close relatives living in one of our isolated villages that needs a bit of support. We can come along and give a short talk about all the different projects that your staff may benefit from. Why not let us help you?

If you would like a chat about how we can support your company, give Maureen a ring on 01858 439267 momalley@vasl.org.uk

It's important to us that our local community is part of VASL so we are starting a VASL volunteer membership. Volunteers and people with an interest in VASL will be able to voice their opinions.

To find out more get in touch with Jo at jpateman@vasl.org.uk

Crystal Carter joined VASL in August as Business Support Officer and has already proved herself to be invaluable in keeping the office running smoothly. She is also taking to the streets of Harborough to find out what you think about VASL. Be nice...

Our JustGiving pages make it easier to donate to VASL or fund raise on our behalf. https://www.justgiving.com/vasl
Take a look.

VASL now has new leaflets with info on all of our projects. If you would like some for your shop, club, cafe etc. just give us a ring or email ccarter@vasl.org.uk

If there is anything that you would like to chat to us about, or if you would like to hear more details about something in the newsletter,do give us a ring on 01858 433232 or drop us an email.

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