Thursday 17th November  PROJECT NEWS  -  Pampering Afternoon for Isolated Elderly

Members of Age Concern Redhill were feeling especially pampered and special after a manicure and hand massage from the lovely Diane Cundell who took a break from her usual busy life as a beautician and bridal make up artist to make these very special senior citizens feel even more special.  The occasion saw something of a reunion for some of those who attended.  Volunteers Zoe, Laura, Veronica and Linda caught up with some of the ladies who took part on the Christmas-card making Project in September.
Soft hands and warm cuppas and warm smiles all round by the end of the afternoon ! 

Monday November 14th  - Reigate's Mayor joins in Santa Suits at Dawn on Reigate Station

Cllr Brian Stead, Volunteers Sue and Linda and Loveworks Santa

Cllr. Brian Stead current Mayor of Reigate and Banstead went way beyond the usual call of duty and joined us on Reigate Station platform at 7.30am for an especially festive Commuter Coffees !

Our volunteer Santa was bedecked in his seasonal suit to officially begin Loveworks.org.uk's Christmas Projects.

Commuters were especially generous in their donations for coffees that morning. Not sure if it was the gravitas of the Mayoral bling or Santas smile that did it but we had bumper takings !!

                                                                            

Small glimpse of the gorgeous Priory Park

Great JUBILATION at some GREAT NEWS !

Loveworks.org is hosting a STREET PARTY IN PRIORY PARK during next summer's Jubilee weekend.
SUNDAY JUNE 3rd 2012   Priory Park   Reigate
We are really excited about arranging this very special event in the park which will bring the whole community together to celebrate in true British style.
We will lay on picnic tables, cream teas, pimms, drinks and family games all you have to do is buy some tickets and come on down and enjoy the day.

More info nearer the time of course  - for now please Put the date in the diary.
Also - if you, your school, your family or your company would like to get involved in any way - the more the merrier - please get in touch  info@loveworks.org.uk

Loveworks.org would like to extend a big thank you to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council for giving us use of the beautiful Priory Park for this exciting event

Project News

The proof of the pudding is in those smiles !

Bringing arty back into ageing -  Christmas card-making

The BBC feature we saw lately about how many older people in London were benefitting from arts and crafts inspired us to expand our Pampering for the Elderly afternoon and put our heads together and devise something practical and enjoyable with a creative outlet for the members of Age Concern, Redhill. Loveworks.org volunteer Zoe Baker who is an artist led the project and collaborated with Carol Cockbain, who runs creative card-making courses and designed cards that achieved a really attractive professional look but were relatively easy to make using prefab decoupage card.
Loveworks.org volunteers Laura, Naomi, Veronica and Linda were on hand to assist with cutting and sticking and provision of a homemade cream tea to finish off with.
It was a tad controversial for some members that Age Concern agreed to move bingo off it’s regular slot for 4 weeks to make room our Christmas Card-Making course - but the real proof of the pudding is the smiles on those faces !
  "We are going to miss you ! “ Vi Morley                      " I don't want it to end " Elsie Cordray

The before shot !

Loveworks.org is on the Move !

Thanks to salary funding from the Tudor Trust we have been able to recruit an admin assitant / pa for our founder Linda Sourris.
Carolanne Jackson ( pictured right ) has a wide range of admin and project management experience - but best of all is absolutely lovely !

Within a day of finding Carolanne whilst following a series of leads that began with giving film producer Geoff Glendenning a free spare croissant at the end of Happy Mondays in Urban Kitchen we were lucky enough to find Greg from Morgan Prestwich who, with enormous generosity gave us a lovely rent-free room overlooking the clock tower on Reigate High Street.

And the icing on top of an already dream-come-true cake was the arrival of all the office furniture we could ever need or want from an anonymous source but carried upstairs and into our room by 3 strapping fellas.

And now we are good to go !

It feels so incredibly right that the office is slap bang in the heart of the Reigate community which is absolutely where we feel we belong.

Volunteer Pimms O'Clock

Hard life being a Loveworks volunteer - sit around quaffing Pimms all day !

Pimms o'Clock for Loveworks.org volunteer's treat time

What a gorgeous afternoon we had chez Sue.  The sun shone brightly enough to make a Pimms seem like the perfect drink  but not so bright we couldn't manage a cuppa and cream tea too.

It was so lovely to see everyone away from the usual volunteer action with enough time for a long leisurely conversation.

Care Kits Public Ask

Fantastic Response from the Reigate Public
Loveworks.org volunteers Jackie, Diane and Linda manned the doors outside Boots on Reigate High Street on Friday to ask the public to buy toiletries for the homeless men who attend the Salvation Army Drop-in facility in Redhill.
The men have recently been provided with a new shower but being homeless are really short on whats necessary to shower with !!

Thanks to the generosity of the Reigate shoppers, Reigate Round Table who have given sponsorship and Boots the Chemist for granting us permission to be there all 30 men will now have their own wash-kits with sponge, toothpaste and brush, shower gel and shaving foam and a big fluffy towel.

We had all the toiletries we needed within two and half hours of beginning the "ask" !  £480 worth in total ! Apparently many who contributed were telling Boots staff what a great idea they thought it was !

Summer Party - Final Tally

Record-Breaking Total  -  £8,068 after costs !! 

We would like to give the most enormous THANK YOU to all our generous and fun-loving party guests  - you came, you bid, you donated, you danced  - you were brilliant !

We promise to use every penny wisely to support local people in need.

What a fabulous volunteer team we had !
Special thanks to Sue and Liz who coordinated the waiting team and the kitchen team on the night.
And to the 25 volunteers who served, and made puddings, and washed up and set up and cleared up and served on the bar and generally helped the whole event go without a hitch.
The guests were so happy with the evening
You are really fantastic - thank you !!!

Special Thanks - Summer Party

With special Loveworks.org thanks to ......

The fantastic Fran from Fran-tastic Paella.

Fran very kindly gave us cost price on the catering for the party and not only that she cooks a mean paella which was appreciated by all.

She also very kindly gave herself as an auction of promise prize  - lucky winner Dave Allard !

Thank you so much



Once again Choro Bandido gave us a lovely set of gypsy jazz to accompany guest arrival and meal time.


Many thanks to Brian Bull and his talented band
for giving us such a whopping discount off the bands usual fee.

Your kindness has added to the total raised for local people in need .     Thank you !!

Loveworks.org gets Guardian mention

Loveworks.org gets Guardian coverage


Lovework.org was cited as an example of the Big Society in action in Surrey in Wednesday's Guardian. 
The Page 1 article covered on the ongoing debate on Cameron's Big Society vision and it's viability across the UK's ecomonic divides.
We are very grateful that from the 700+ organisations Surrey Community Foundation have awarded grants that Helen Bowcock, the foundation trustee and philanthropist interviewed for the article, chose to reference Loveworks.org as one of two for mention - that feels like quite an honour.
To read full article click on link below
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/may/18/camerons-big-society-rich-surrey

"The juxtaposition of rich and poor is obvious in cities but hidden in Surrey, where general wealth masks pockets of deprivation.
There is a "double injustice", says Helen Bowcock, the report's (Surrey's Bigger Society) author, as poverty in Surrey is not widespread enough to attract government funding and there is little public perception of need. As a result, the county has been reliant on the foot soldiers of Cameron's notion of big society – volunteers and local philanthropists – to provide and fund certain services for a long time.
Bowcock is a philanthropist and trustee of the Community Foundation for Surrey, a non-statutory grants body managing donations for needy neighbourhood causes, and unsurprisingly the report concludes that grassroots philanthropy is important to the ongoing success of the big society in Surrey....
Loveworks, a social action charity, is another beneficiary. Since 2008 it has helped 1,500 people within a five-mile radius of Reigate. The charity's projects include delivering Christmas gifts to families – helped by the foundation's £900 grant – and farm trips for refuge children."

Helen Bowcock was one of the speakers at Loveworks.org Caffe Nero talks entitled "Hidden Surrey : The Deprivation on your Doorstep"

Dr. Helen Bowcock speaking in Caffe Nero Reigate at the series of talks set up by Loveworks.org

Economy Gastronomy

Economy Gastronomy Cookery Course for Young Mums in Sheltered Housing in Redhill

Volunteer Cordon Bleu chef Louise Bowkitt and nutritionist Helen Bowkitt with some of the Mums who signed up

 

When we last met up with the Mums in temporary accommodation in Redhill and learned that top of their wish list was to learn how to cook healthy nutritious meals on a budget we
sought the help of Cordon Bleu trained chef Louise Bowkett and nutritionist Helen Driscoll.  They very kindly agreed to volunteer their time and help devise and deliver a series of cookery demos in liaison with the young Mums, very much built around what they wanted to learn to cook as well as the logistics of kitchen facilities in temporary accommodation ; a two ring-burner and small “Baby Belling” type oven.  The demos took place in a private kitchen and we all sat and ate together afterwards so that everyone could relax,  feel at home and have some valuable  time away from the stresses of life in temporary accomodation as well as learn valuable new skills.

The feel-good factor of giving as well as receiving - these quotes illustrate the purpose of Loveworks.org so well ...
“I really enjoyed doing the cookery lessons. I learnt a lot and it was put together really well !! I would definitely take part again and would love to attend another Loveworks occasion. I have also used some of the things I learnt at home. Everything was done to the best standard and a lot of time and effort went in to making it fun and enjoyable.  Thank-you so much!  Hannah xxxxxxxx”

“I have enjoyed doing the cooking course so much.  I thought I was going to help the girls but they gave me so much and I learned loads.” Louise  - Project Chef !  
When our projects are as rewarding for the volunteers as the recipients we couldn’t be happier !

Teas on the Green

May Bank Holiday - Teas on Brockham Green

One very satisfied customer

We all really loved doing teas on Brockham Green. Slicing home-made cakes, pouring teas and telling everyone about Loveworks.org in a beautiful leafy English village setting. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Many thanks to everyone gave a donation in exchange for tea and treats and for raising almost £400 in the process and to volunteers Mike, Georgina, Anuska, Lindsey, Becky, Zoe, Sue, Bonnie, Val, April, Linda and our very own paparazzi photographer Jay as well as to everyone who baked and provided the lovely cakes and scones. We had lots of compliments !

Project News : Visit to Ladyland Farm by Refuge Families

Project News : Visit to Ladyland Farm for Refuge Families

Trailer-tastic !

Women and children arrive at the local refuge run by Reigate and Banstead Women's Aid both in crisis and often having left behind all their possessions as they took the narrow window of opportunity to flee a domestic abuse situation.
Life at the refuge can mean the camaraderie of shared experience but also at times the conflict that living in close quarters can bring.
Often the families have spent years being so consumed with the on-going crisis of domestic abuse that they had precious little resource and energy to devote to quality time with children.
Given all the above we wanted to to take them out, somewhere lovely where there was the chance to have a fun time and do things together.
Ladyland Farm - an educational as well a loving, fun place to visit felt like the perfect place to go.
We coached over there, had the guided tour of feeding and stroking the animals, a treat- packed picnic and a tractor ride which they absolutely loved.

Watching owls with Mummy

"Today was beautiful all the children had so much fun. Thank you so much for making this day so enjoyable for all of us"  Mum

"It has been a lovely day. I really enjoyed watching my children enjoying themselves.  It was my little girl's  birthday and it made her day coming here"  Mum

"Fab and Fun" Ella Age 6

What the agency said 
"Thank you so much for providing a wonderful day out to Ladyland Farm for the Women and Children living in the refuge. Everyone had a fantastic time, and I am sure they will remember the day out for a long time.
The extra touches you provided like the picnic, colouring books, bubbles and Easter Eggs made everything even more special"  
Debbie 
Child Support Worker 
Reigate and Banstead Women's Aid

( The identities of those attending this project have been protected for ethical reasons )


Incredible response to Christmas Bag Scheme

155 Christmas Bags, £3875 spent by Redhill and Reigate public - A-mazing !!

A sea of red bags full of Christmas treats

Having (ambitiously we thought !) prepared 100 bags and baubles hoping to just pip last year's amazing result, we sorted all the booty at the end of Saturday to find we had enough for 155 bag loads - that's a whopping £3875 spent by the public in one day !!
I will never forget the sight of Nick in his Santa suit appearing time and time again at the sort zone with seemingly endless trolley loads of Christmas treats.
There is no photo I was able to take that could capture the scale of it all - look at this image and multiply by 3 or 4 to get an idea.
An emergency call to Marks to ask for 55 extra bags and a ring around to find appropriate "homes" and we were good to go.  Where would be have been without the team from Avocado Audiovisual would had  offered their lorry and muscle power to load and distribute the bags - we needed it !

We were delighted able to deliver on all the requests we received.  As far we are aware every single local agency / charity working with families or individuals in financial hardship received all the beautiful lovingly prepared bags they wanted.

Mary, Emma and Steve ask the Reigate public to buy
extra goods in Marks and Spencer

  
What the volunteers said ..

“Loveworks is doing fantastic work to connect the local community and reach out to those in need in a unique and personal way.  I was inspired to get involved as a volunteer after hearing about their work and finding out more about what Linda and her team are doing for local people. I found it to be a truly humbling and heart-warming experience. The generosity of local people is overwhelming!”  Emma
Emma is a Grants Officer for Surrey Community Foundation - the organisation who awarded a grant for this project. Very encouraging for us that she came all the way from Guildford to volunteer !

"I found it very rewarding and it has inspired me to do more volunteering in the future!" Mary

Nick aka Loveworks Santa and Lindsey

Saturday was absolutely knackering but really, really rewarding. It would be an absolute privilege to stay involved with Loveworks.  I’ll be happy to help when I can…Lindsey x


"It was fun. Thankyou for channelling us.
Love Santa"
Xxx

Loveworks.org would like to thank all the fantastic volunteers..
Georgina, Naomi, Zoe, Mike, Jane, Emma, Mary, Steve, Nick and Lindsey and Volunteer Coordinator Jackie. 
Marks and Spencer, Surrey Community Foundation and Squires Garden Centre.

The bags this year were delivered via / to the following agencies...  ESDAS - East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services, Furnistore,  Red Oak Children's Centre - Merstham, Merstham Community Facility, Raven Housing Trust - families in temporary accomodation, Reigate Womens Aid Refuge - for families fleeing domestic violence, Salvation Army - families in need known to Salvation Army Captain. Wayside Hostel - for homeless young women and Welcare - centre for families in need.  We also collected gifts which will be gift-wrapped for the 20 homeless guys who use the Salvation Army Drop-in Centre.

To find out more about Loveworks.org. volunteer or donate visit our website http://www.loveworks.org.uk/

Blog Dog meets Mayor

Surprised and delighted - Mayor and Blog Dog respectively

Blog Dog collects Award

Loveworks.org was delighted and honoured to receive a Mayors Award recently.
Blog Dog went to the Town Hall to collect the award on behalf of the Loveworks.org.

When asked to comment Blog Dog said ...

"I am deeply honoured to collect this award on behalf of Loveworks. Many volunteers have worked very hard to grow Loveworks into the thriving organisation it has become.  I would like to congratulate all involved on providing a diverse and effective range of projects for almost 1,000 local people in need in the last two years as well as anyone who has donated to help make this marvellous achievement possible"

Loveworks.org would like to thank the Mayors office for this award and the Mayor himself for being such a great sport !
Read more about our projects, volunteer or donate on our website http://www.loveworks.org.uk/ or click on any Loveworks link

Surpise Celebrity Visitor to Local Santa Stand

Did he like it ?  Not a lot !

Loveworks.org LOCAL SANTA - The Belfry, Redhill

Becky, Bonnie, Jackie, Sue and Linda spent the day at the Belfry today asking shoppers if they would buy one extra gift to make the wishes of local children in need come true.
Over 30 "Local Santas" were kind enough to leap into action on behalf of children spending this Christmas in sheltered housing in Redhill.
They bought, we wrapped and our fantastic volunteer Santa will be giving the children their toys tomorrow.

Celeb magician Paul Daniels very kindly paid us a visit - and added a dash of laughter to the general flow of goodwill !

Revving up for a Bumper Loveworks Christmas

Loveworks is all set for a record breaking Christmas !

- The Bauble Wrappers are at the ready...
- The funding has been found...
- Marks and Spencer Reigate have agreed to have us on Saturday 11th Dec...
- The lovely Loveworks volunteers are on the rota ready for action...
- Now all we need is the great Reigate public to turn out in force and buy extra Christmas goodies for local people in need.
We are so delighted that our Christmas Bag Scheme is becoming something of a tradition. This will be our fourth year on Reigate High Street !
We will once again be asking shoppers to buy some extra treats for our Christmas Bags - all lovingly decorated by our volunteers.
Each bag will also contain a beautiful cellophane wrapped bauble and a Loveworks Christmas card signed by the volunteers and the family who bought items to put inside.
It's really all about love in a bag - the most caring and personal way we can think of to say..
"We know you are having a hard time this year - this is just for you - Merry Christmas !"

Loveworks.org would like to thank Community Foundation for Surrey on behalf of the hundreds of local people in need who will directly benefit from our Christmas Bag Scheme for awarding us a grant of £900 which will go towards costs.

Cheese and Wine Evening - Urban Kitchen 9th Nov 10

Cheese and Wine Tasting Evening - £562 raised !

 
<><><><><><>  Many thanks to the 27 local wine lovers and Loveworks.org Supporters who came along and added to the buzz of a really fun evening.  We are delighted to announce that some enjoyable quoffing and chatting also raised £562 for Loveworks - thanks in no small part to the gambling habits of the fellas from the Round Table who just couldn't resist a flutter or 3 on the raffle tickets - we are REALLY grateful to everyone who joined in the fun and gave so generously.                                                 

                                                                                              

Loveworks.org would like to thank Urban Kitchen for use of their lovely upstairs venue, Erik from The Vineking for his bonhomie and great knowledge of wine, Marc from Cullenders for giving all the cheese fans in the room a real treat. Both Marc and Erik have kindly agreed to give 10% of any orders placed by LW Cheese and Wine guests between now and Christmas to Loveworks.org ! How generous is that !and Mike from Avocado AudioVisuals for supplying the flat screen TV to display the Loveworks Projects
The LW red pinnie team were just great and lovely to have around - BIG thank you to Jonny, Jackie, Liz, Ellen and Caroline for helping it to go with a swing !

Autumn Project - Mum's Makeover and Baby Play Day

Autumn Project for local people in need  - Mum's Makeover and Baby Play Day

  

Makeup artist Chris Wilkinson draws out the natural
beauty of the young Mums with great care and skill 

When we met the young Mums living in temporary accomodation in Redhill they were needing "a boost" they told us and had no-where to gather together and make friends.
Earlier in the summer we had met lovely makeup artist Chris Wilkinson doing Commuter Coffees on Redhill station and she had offered to give her service for free for a Loveworks Project. Shortly after we discovered that Loveworks volunteer Caroline Carty was looking for a new home for her very smart but rarely used garden furniture.
Loveworks magiced all these ingredients together into a lovely day for these Mums.
There were clothes for their little ones as well as a beautifully wrapped educational toy for each child to unwrap. A croissant and juice breakfast  for all whilst they waited their turn in the hot seat !



Some Mums have a croissant and juice breakfast
sitting round their new garden furniture while
waiting their turn for the makeover

We went back to visit the Mums last week and were delighted to find out that the Mums had been spending endless hours socialising round the table and they had all become much closer friends.
What a fantastic bit of news !!
Loveworks would like to thank...
Chris Wilkinson for volunteering her talents,
Andrea Anderson for helping out all day,
Bonnie Nash for wrapping all the gifts,
Caroline and Pat Carty for kindly donating their
lovely garden furniture and
Indespension for loaning us the trailer to transport the furniture to the temporary accomodation unit.
It was a great day !

New Fundraising and Marketing Team

First meeting of our new
Fundraising and Marketing Team

Took place on Monday headed up by the lovely Debbie Wyse - one of the founding members of the Loveworks.org core team.

If you would like to join this great team of people we would love to have you.
Contact Debbie on info@loveworks.org.uk
We would love to have you   -   The more the merrier !!

We are pleased to announce .... !

** WINNER ** MAYORS AWARD 2010  !!

We are delighted to learn that Loveworks.org has won one of the Mayors Awards given annually to the local voluntary sector. Thank you to all those who put in nominations. We feel very honoured !

Designer Clothes Swap Night September 22nd

Designer Clothes Swap Night  - Sept 22

A group of lovely ladies gathered together in the gorgeous home of Loveworks volunteer Caron French and purchased donated designer clothes finding time between buying and browsing to have a chat over a glass of wine and canapes.


A total of £280 was raised on the night.


Well done everyone - and many thanks to Caron and all who contributed whether purchasing or donating.

A lovely evening was had by all !

The Loveworks Party - Final Tally

Recipe for a Great Party ...

120 x fun-loving and generous party guests,
39 x lovely volunteers willing to give their spare time to help it all run smoothy
4 x excellent jazz musicians
1 x sunny but seriously chilly evening ( Brrrrr ! )
1 x fabulous Barn in gorgeous country setting
1 x auction, raffle, gallery of paintings & large Hog
A dash of Pimms and a glug or several of wine
Equals - a fine old time AND
Grand Total of £7,082 raised after costs
Our grateful thanks to each and every one of you
Loveworks would like to thank the following local ( & international !) companies and businesses who were all generous enough to contribute to this event with donations or sponsorship.
Avocado Audio Visual-Reigate, The Beacon Hotel - New York, Gildings Barn, Tower Watson - Reigate, Ela Wines - Merstem, Robert and Edward Butchers - Reigate, Choro Bandido Jazz Quartet, Christine Wilkinson Makeup Artist, The Plough - Leigh, Marks and Spencer - Reigate, Urban Kitchen - Reigate, Buckland Stores, The Jolly Farmers - Reigate, Cry for the Moon Jewellers, Guildford, Brockham Spa

Also huge thank yous to Julie MacDonald, Keith Bernstein, Gill and Peter Grieg-Allen, Liz Simpson, Caron and Simon French, Christine Wilkinson, Eillunid and Peter Slot and Harvey for giving themselves or their homes as auction prizes.

On behalf of all the local people in need who will benefit as a result of your generosity ..Thank you very very much !!

Loveworks Auction - Lot 5

LOVEWORKS AUCTION - LOT 5

One week stay this summer
(to be taken between 12 and 22 August 10)
Gorgeous West Wight home

Peaceful village of Brook

Isle of Wight

Wonderfully scenic home owed by friends of Loveworks.

Sleeps 7 in 4 bedrooms - one en-suite
Family bathroom & Fully equipped kitchen

Lounge and Conservatory

Snug

Set in over an acre of cultivated garden.

(Photo on left is garden taken from rear bedroom in winter sunshine)

Five minutes stroll away, down a leafy village road is Brook Beach - famed for surfing and fossil collecting.

The walk along the cliff edge is just stunning - whatever the weather. Just sea and cliff tops on one side and rolling green moorland on the other.

A truly lovely home and location.

( image to left is view of Brook beach taken from cliff top )

Loveworks Auction Lot 7

LOVEWORKS AUCTION - LOT 7

Harvey cordially invites your 4 legged friend to join him and a few chums for a glorious day out by the sea-side and a free pouch parlour to restore the fur to max fluffiness following possible sea swimming and sand.

Drinks are certainly in order after all that romping about. The Mums sort out the water and snacks !

Not much time for all this sitting posing though... too many rock pools to explore and lovely things to sniff

Here's Harvey hoping for a lovely new furry friend to join him..... and remember the best is yet to come.
...fabulous professional pouch parlour make-over from Angela Neal in Brockham.
Can be taken after our day together or separately.


See you on the sands then ....

Loveworks.org Auction Lot 8

LOVEWORKS AUCTION SAT 19th JUNE - LOT 8

Bespoke Watercolour

Perhaps of your home or your favourite scenic spot in the local area.

Painted just for you by very creative Loveworks volunteer Liz Simpson.

Auction lot 9

LOVEWORKS AUCTION June 19th - Lot 9

Pamper Package

1) A make - over from lovely makeup

artist Christine Wilkinson.

Check her out with Gok Wan .... !
http://www.christine-wilkinson.co.uk/

2) A back massage from

Beauty therapist Sarah Somes

All the contact info will be on the winners voucher

Loveworks Auction Lot 10

LOVEWORKS AUCTION - June 19th - Lot 10

A Meal for 4 people

The Plough, Leigh Village

Lovely picturesque setting

Expert help with Blogging

Social Media expert Dawn Brewer advises Loveworks.org

A very helpful and inspiring lady Dawn gave us lots of ideas about how to make blogging better.

She really likes Blog Dog.. she just thinks there needs to be more of him on the blog !

( Blog Dog is best pleased about the possible upgrade to his profile ! )

Blog Dog finds first friends

REIGATE VOLUNTEERS RAISE AWARENESS AT STATION

Blog Dog finds first fans at Commuter Coffees

Early response to Blog Dog has been benign bewilderment

When asked for comment Blog Dog said..

"It would be easy to feel a little misunderstood. However, it is my hope that as the readers come to understand me they will also grow to love me"

Great Sports Donation !

Great Sports Session 4

Yesterday the lads got their Great Sports kit and really began to look the part.
It was great to see everyone there and the lads are starting to learn how to encourage
each other and work as a team.
This morning I was having a coffee with a friend who I did notice was very enthused
about the project but no way was I expecting what happened next !!

Half an hour after I got home an envelope came through the door with a £1,000 cheque in it !!!
This means we have the option to carry on the project in whatever way the boys, the volunteers
and the Loveworks teams feel is best. That will take some meetings to figure out BUT in the meantime
WOW !! What a wonderful act of generosity.












Posted by Linda Sourris - Projects Manager

Celebrate Kate !

Celebrate Kate !

Once upon a time in 2008 Kate and I were having a coffee on Reigate High Street. I was pouring forth about plans for Loveworks and she said "I'll do the books for you".
True to her word she has been our volunteer bookkeeper ever since.
She meets with me monthly to sort out all things financial. Counting donation money, going through costs and receipts and making sure everything is ship-shape and as it should be.

Full of integrity and wise words, someone you would want to turn to for advice she is hard-working, thorough and always adds things up properly !
She also has the "gift of necklaces"... I don't know where she gets them from but she has the largest collection of gorgeous necklaces in the northern hemisphere !

Kate - you are SO appreciated by us all - Thank you !!



Posted by Linda - Projects Manager

Great Sports Project

Great Sports - Session 3

Pictured here.. are 4 of the 10 year 9 pupils taking part in "Great Sports" Project at the Ashcombe School all lined up on the bench ready for a pep talk from Martin and professional footy coach Nick. The boys were selected for the project by their tutors who wanted to reward them for trying to overcome their problems at school.

Not really into to football enough to have ever played in a team, all the boys who have joined us for the project are flourishing as players and settling in really well under the uptempo style of professional football coach Nick Torpey and the encouragement of Martin Bangs, who as deputy coach, is brilliant at spotting and feeding back what they do well.

Great Sports is all about learning what it takes to be a great sport not just a skilled player, about having fun and building fitness with some treats built it - yesterday it was pizza all around. ( The BBQ Feast pizza was the business ! )

Posted by Linda Sourris - Projects Manager