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One Ark brings a
world of opportunities to Knowsley
KNOWSLEY investment charity
One Ark is supporting residents to take part in a global programme
that helps young people develop leadership and entrepreneurial
skills.
One Ark is part of the First Ark Group that is aiming to engage over
a hundred residents in the World Merit programme, as part of its aim
to provide employment and life changing opportunities for the people
of Knowsley.
The Merit Next Leadership Programme will provide young adults with
the opportunity to participate in a year long paid for training
programme, which will include visits to London, Liverpool, New York
and Washington DC.
One Ark has committed to working with World Merit to sponsor 3 young
people from Knowsley to earn a place on the programme. One Ark and
World Merit will also be running an engagement programme for
Knowsley residents; offering them mentoring and career advice.
Tony Cahill Executive Director for Business and Service Development
said:- "The World Merit programme will help to create
opportunities for young people across Knowsley to gain invaluable
skills that could be a real benefit to their career and personal
development. The new experiences on offer through the scheme will
help to raise aspirations and create stronger communities that
people are proud to live in."
Over the next nine months prospective candidates in Knowsley will
take part in activities such as organising events or volunteering
which they earn credits for, with the top 3 being chosen to take
part in the global programme.
One Ark and World Merit have appointed 28 year old Emily Karatay; a
former World Merit participant and Knowsley resident; who will
deliver World Merit Knowsley and will be responsible for mentoring
and supporting the 100 young people engaged on the programme.
Chris Arnold, Chief Executive of World Merit, said:- "From the
start it has always been our ethos to be as inclusive as possible;
we encourage people from all cultures and social backgrounds to get
involved. For many this will be the first time they are travelling
abroad and this will help to really broaden their horizons and think
big. The project is especially important to me; I was born in Knowsley and it means a lot to be able to give young people from my
hometown the opportunity to experience the Merit Next programme. We
are delighted that One Ark has partnered with us in the project and
is working with its residents to develop a new generation of
leaders, thinkers, entrepreneurs and innovators on the ground in
Knowsley."
Aaron Grange
Care Home Residents give care to the homeless this Christmas
RESIDENTS of Aaron Grange
are packing up boxes to help Liverpool's homeless this Christmas.
Giving hats, scarves, gloves, clothes and long life food to the
Whitechapel Centre, residents and care home staff have been busy
collecting and making things that can be donated to help the
homeless. Aaron Grange Home Events organiser Sandra Bold says:-
"It has been wonderful to see how the residents have jumped at
the chance to help others. They have collected, made and are now
wrapping up boxes to help the homeless in Liverpool. It's a lovely
thing to do at Christmas and great that those in care homes can
still participate in their community. It's what Christmas is all
about, isn't it?" |
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Dame Judi Dench
fronts local disability charity's Christmas Appeal
VITALISE Christmas campaign
launched to provide festive respite for people with disabilities and
carers Dame Judi Dench has been unveiled as the face of disability
charity Vitalise's Christmas Appeal 2013, which aims to raise funds
to give people with disabilities and carers desperately needed
Christmas breaks. Vitalise runs the Sandpipers Respite Break Centre
in Southport.
Dame Judi Dench, who is a Vice President of Vitalise, is
spearheading the charity's campaign to raise sufficient funds to
subsidise every break at Sandpipers and its 2 other UK centres
during Christmas Week. The Appeal has set itself an ambitious target
of £35,000; more than double the £16,000 raised in 2012; which will
fully subsidise much needed Vitalise Christmas Week breaks for a
total of 103 people with disabilities and carers.
The Appeal is the culmination of a year of intense activity for
Vitalise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation in
1963. During its Golden Jubilee year, Vitalise announced ambitious
plans to effectively double its social impact with the opening of
three more centres in the next few years. The charity is now busy
fundraising to finance its expansion plans.
Vitalise Chief Executive Chris Simmonds said:- "Vitalise has
had the most amazing 2013 and we really wanted to end our 50th
anniversary year on a high note. Thanks to Dame Judi's endorsement
of our Christmas Appeal 2013, we are really hopeful of doing just
that. Christmas, as we know, is a time for celebration, for family.
But there are a great many people with disabilities and carers who
are unable to take such simple pleasures for granted. That's why it
is so important that we provide our services right through Christmas
and the New Year. Vitalise has been supporting people with
disabilities and carers for 50 years now and we want to support more
people than ever before in the next 50 years. With the help of Dame
Judi and our wonderful supporters, I am confident we can achieve our
aim. So please support our Christmas Appeal!"
In support of the Vitalise Christmas Appeal 2013, Dame Judi Dench
commented:- "There are millions of people in the UK struggling
to cope with disability. Whatever their situation, it's more than
likely that their daily existence is a hard, unrelenting struggle
against isolation and loneliness. For them, Christmas is no
different to any other time of year. That's why we urgently need
your help this Festive Season. So please, give what you can; and
help us rekindle the spirit of Christmas."
In addition to the Christmas Appeal, Vitalise has been busy with a
raft of activity to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The charity has
released 2 fun videos, featuring the guests, volunteers and staff at
the charity's centres performing the classic hits 'Gold'
by Spandau Ballet and 'Happy Birthday' by Stevie
Wonder. In time for Christmas, Vitalise has produced a set of four
limited edition Christmas cards, based on original designs by the
charity's guests and volunteers.
As well as the online fundraising appeal, Vitalise is also reaching
out to potential volunteers through a new 'Christmas Cracker'
campaign, encouraging visitors to the Vitalise
website
to read inspirational stories from the charity's volunteers and give
volunteering a try for themselves.
Vitalise is a national charity providing essential breaks for people
with disabilities and carers. Vitalise provides essential short
breaks in a holiday environment for people with disabilities;
including Alzheimer's and dementia; and carers at Sandpipers and 2
other accessible UK Centres in Chigwell and Southampton. All 3
centres provide 24 hour nursing care on call, personal support and a
range of accessible excursions, activities and entertainment.
Vitalise was founded in 1963 as the Winged Fellowship Trust by the
late Joan Brander MBE. The charity created the blueprint for the
modern concept of respite care in a holiday environment. Vitalise
also runs one of the largest volunteering programmes of any UK
charity, offering thousands of individuals each year the opportunity
to support and socialise with the people with disabilities taking
respite breaks at Vitalise's centres.
People wanting more advice and
information about Vitalise breaks are requested to call:- 0303 303
0145 or visit:-
vitalise.org.uk.
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