Projects 2010
Cherry D has had a very busy and successful year. We have worked with many worthwhile projects, these have included:
Hope Rd
A small group of people with experience of mental health issues had identified that there was no provision for support in the Shirehampton area. The group’s main focus is on sharing experience and supporting others through practical solutions such as aroma therapy, exercise etc.
Cherry D facilitated a Development Day and several follow up meetings with the group. Cherry D supported them through defining the terms of the group writing a constitution, itemising costs, producing promotional materials and securing funding. They secured funding for their first 15 weekly meetings and held the first meeting on August 3rd. Meetings now running twice a month, last meeting had 11 attendees. Cherry D support now complete.
Fern Housing
Fern Housing is a new Bristol based housing association specialising in providing appropriate accommodation to people with hearing impairments. They applied to Cherry D asking for support in writing a business plan.
We ran three meetings, end product was a structured business plan template for them to finish.
The Harbour
The Harbour is a service for people suffering from life-limiting illnesses. They provide professional counselling and psychotherapy to enhance the quality of life for people affected by a life-threatening illness, their carers and their partners. Following a restructure we have helped the group to recruit a new Chief Executive.
Bristol Children’s Playhouse
Bristol Children’s Playhouse based in Easton is a community charity working with over 200 families. The Playhouse came to Cherry D as their funding from Bristol City Council was not to be renewed after April 2010 and the Playhouse would have to close in July 2010.
As a result of work done with Cherry D the Playhouse negotiated for funding from the Children’s Centres and has extended its nursery provision. In January 2010 the City Council granted £26,000 to support the organisation through this transition. The Playhouse will now be able to stay open.
October 2010- ongoing
The extended Nursery part of the Playhouse is running at 36% occupancy
It needs to be at 80% by Christmas and 85% - 100% by Feb 2011
This means that we need to recruit 27 new 3 year old children.
Cherry D is helping them to look into marketing and then the process for handling enquiries.
Bristol Hearing Voices Network
Cherry D has supported the group to identify and develop a set of Policies and Procedures. Including Data Protection, Confidentiality, Health and Safety, Banking procedures including financial recording and reporting systems.
This enabled the group to tender for delivery of services and secure an income for the future and identified the tasks needed to maintain the group and helped to share responsibilities for these tasks between members of the group. Now have role descriptions and appointed officers. Cherry D is currently supporting the group in Fundraising plan to raise £30,000 to fund them for the next 3 years.
Trinity Day Centre
Trinity day centre runs 4 days a week providing support for over 60’s. This support includes transport lunch, activities, shopping trips, companionship and much more. This support enables people to maintain independence living in their own homes and reducing hospital admissions.
The centre is currently funded by Social Services supplemented by a small amount of fundraising. There is capacity for 50 people a day. The number of people attending the day centre varies between 10 and 40 a day. The current catchment area is Cotham, Hotwells, Clifton and Redland. The group would like to increase this geographical area to include Bedminster and Southville. Recruiting additional people would, hopefully, secure additional funding into the future.
The group are looking to
a) Increase numbers of people attending the day centre
b) Widen the catchment area
c) Raise additional funds for extras including a new mini bus.
The Cube
An independent cinema run by a team of volunteers. The Cube’s landlord is looking to sell the building and has offered “First Refusal “to the group. Cherry D have been asked to help to support a fundraising project to secure funds to buy the building
Cherry D is supporting the team through valuation, fundraising and negotiation. Cherry D have had meetings with local businesses re sponsorship/concessions.
West of England Centre for Inclusive living (WECIL)
Cherry D developed and delivered training in how to write a business plan to a group of user led disabilities organisations.
Youth in Transition
A preventative project to provide support for looked after children and others identified as at risk, through the transition from primary to secondary school. YoT was initiated by Quartet and funded by Merchant Venturers. Cherry D is acting as liaison with service providers.
Alive!
A new charity connecting with elderly people living in care homes across Bristol and running a range of activities to stimulate and engage these people. Cherry D is working with Alive to set up training and support networks for care home staff so that they can carry on the activities.