Dartmouth Caring updates its “unique and vital” directory with twenty percent more information

left to right: Celia Stevens, karen Blake, Sarah Farnsworth; Alison Stocks – all DC staff.

Dartmouth Caring has launched the second edition of its unique Health and Social Care Directory.

The directory is designed to be a help to those who need to access local health or social care but don’t know where to turn.

It was first published two years ago and has been hailed as a big success by healthcare professionals and those who have found its simple layout helpful in times of crisis or stress.

The new edition has been comprehensively updated with more than 20 percent more entries and contact details, as well as more information on the work done by Dartmouth Caring and how it works with other agencies to help protect and support the elderly and the vulnerable.

The printing of the new directory has been made possible thanks to generous donations from a number of local businesses: Dart Marina Hotel and Spa; the George Inn, Blackawton; Dartmouth Medical Practice; The Venus Company; The Castle Tea Rooms and the Stoke Lodge Hotel.

The new edition has been sent out to the medical practice, health centre and hospital in Dartmouth as well as community sites such as the Tourist Information Centre, hotels and shops.

The charity is also appealing to the community to let them know if there are any other important numbers they believe should be included. These changes will be regularly updated and included in the downloadable version of the directory, which can be obtained from the Dartmouth Caring website: http://www.dartmouthcaring.co.uk.

Dartmouth Caring chairman Dee Nutt has paid tribute to the staff team, led by the charity’s Manager and Coordinator Alison Stocks, for their hard work in updating the directory.

“I’m delighted that we are launching this new edition of the Health and Social Care Directory,” she said. “It is a unique publication and has proved vital to many people in difficult situations. We are pleased it has proven so popular with so many people. We wanted to make sure it was updated and is as comprehensive as possible, and Alison and her team have made a massive effort to get it ready for publication this week. The sponsors who have made its printing possible also deserve massive thanks for helping their community so wonderfully.”

Ed’s “Fantastic” tales of Spike bring in Funds for Dartmouth Caring

Ed Welch (second left) with Dartmouth Caring trustees Tim Hailstone (far left) and Adrian Lloyd Edwards with Dartmouth Caring Manager and Coordinator Alison Stocks (second right)

Dartmouth Caring has said thank you to composer Ed Welch after his ‘brilliant’ talk about his time working with Spike Milligan. 

The hugely successful Mr Welch gave the talk at Dartmouth’s Royal Castle Hotel on Tuesday November 6 in aid of the charity, which looks out for the elderly and the vulnerable in the Dartmouth and district area.

Mr Welch, who has provided music for countless TV and film projects – including the famous Blockbuster’s theme and music for Thomas the Tank Engine and friends – worked with the famous comedian, writer and poet on a number of his series, including the hugely influential “Q” programmes  – which were an inspiration to the Monty Python group.

Mr Welch kept the audience rapt with his stories of Mr Milligan, including his fights with TV executives and his ‘difficult’ reputation, as well as light-hearted anecdotes of his legendary quick wit.

The evening also featured a raffle with prizes kindly donated by local businesses and a top-quality meal from the Castle’s Grill Room restaurant, hosted by its manager Tom Kendrick.

Alison Stocks, manager and coordinator for Dartmouth Caring thanked everyone who helped make the evening such a success – especially Ed.

“It was a fantastic talk which everyone clearly enjoyed,” she said. “The presentation and the anecdotes were informative and funny. We are so grateful to him for giving up his time and helping us to raise funds for our vital work in the community. The raffle was a big success thanks to all the very generous donations from local businesses and Tom and his team did a great job: the food was top notch and we all felt very welcome.”

Legacy gives Dartmouth Caring boost thanks to support for clients

 

Alison Stocks

Dartmouth Caring has been given a boost by a legacy left to it by a person the charity helped look after in their last years.

The legacy is the first the charity has received, and its manager and coordinator Alison Stocks said it was given in recognition of the help the charity gave the person in their last years: helping to arrange care packages, working with social services, health providers and hospice care providers to ensure they could live independently and in comfort for as long as possible.

“People can be seriously ill for a long time but still be in their own homes,” she said. “We deal with sorting out lots of things to do with day to day life as well as more complex issues of care plans and health management in liaison with medical professionals. Such a legacy can make a significant difference to our long-term stability. We are so grateful and truly touched to receive it.

“We take on a variety of roles to help those at the end of their life: There may be a house to look after while someone is in hospital, paperwork to complete, or perhaps other family members or partners who need support after the death of their loved one. We do the things that need doing. We do the quiet work that allows people to live longer in their own homes, and it was wonderful to see how much that was appreciated in this case.”

Ms Stocks said the legacy was not something that she had expected, but that all the members of the charity’s staff team and its volunteers knew what a big difference it makes to the day-to-day running of Dartmouth Caring.

“We are a charity and in times like these every bit of fundraising is a challenge,” she said. “We are grateful for all that we receive – it all does make a difference. Every donation, big or small helps us to allow people in an around Dartmouth to live independently for longer.”

If you would like to know more about Dartmouth Caring and the breadth of all the help or support it can offer, check out its website: www.dartmouthcaring.co.uk.

Artist Simon Drew Creates Special Christmas Card Just for Dartmouth Caring

Alison Stocks and Simon Drew with the Christmas Card design

 

Dartmouth Caring is selling cards featuring an exclusive design by internationally renowned artist Simon Drew.

Mr Drew, who has been based in Dartmouth for more than 30 years agreed to provide a special image for the charity’s annual Christmas cards. His design is particularly suited to Dartmouth, and is full of his trademark humour.

Another artist, Marjorie Hickley, who lives in Lytham but is acquainted with the charities work, has also donated a charming image for a card this year.

The cards, which have featured designs by Dartmouth Artists John Gillo and John Donaldson in the past and are put into their packs by volunteers, bring in much-needed funds for the charity which looks out for the elderly and vulnerable in Dartmouth.

Mr Drew agreed to donate a design after he was asked by Dartmouth Caring’s manager and coordinator Alison Stocks to help raise funds for the charity.

His art, normally employing clever wordplay or simply silly puns, is famous across the world  – he has published numerous books and has both a gallery and a merchandise shop in the town.

Mr Drew said: “It made a lovely change to do a Christmas card that is specifically about Dartmouth: I don’t often get the chance to do that. So when Dartmouth Caring asked if I would do one I jumped at the opportunity as it is such a good local organisation. So many people benefit from DC and I’m sure they could do with some extra funds!”

Alison said the charity was lucky to have his support.

“Simon is such a widely renowned artist we are delighted he is supporting us,” she said. “When he said yes to providing an image we were over the moon, and when it arrived we were even happier as it is funny, Dartmouth-focused and beautifully crafted – it’s a wonderful card!”

Dartmouth Caring chairman Dee Nutt said: “We are very lucky to have the support of Simon and Marjorie this year – their generous gifts of these images will really help us. We depend on fundraising to support our activities in the community, and this does make a real difference.”

Packs of the cards will be on sale at local events throughout the summer, including the Stoke Fleming Village Show, the Dartmouth Caring charity day in the Royal Avenue Gardens on September 27, the Tourist Information Centre and other local outlets plus the Dartmouth Caring office and website http://www.dartmouthcaring.co.uk – the new designs cost £3.50 for a pack of six cards and envelopes.