Representing Parkside

On Monday 31st May we were at the Farnborough Donkey Derby. Following from the success of our tombola at Moors Festival, we decided to host another one and raised a fantastic £110! Once again thank you to everybody that came and said hello and had a go at the tombola to support us and help us raise funds including the Mayor and our local MP!

If you would ever like to volunteer at any of our Fun Days, Donkey Derbys or Information Days then please contact Bonnie at parksidefundraising@live.co.uk.

Parkside were present at the Rushmoor Moors Festival on Saturday 22nd May organised by Rushmoor. We had a stand in the Community Tent and were offered to do a fundraising activity so we decided to run a Tombola which I am pleased to announce raised £70! Thank you to everybody that came and said hello.

On Thursday the 13th of May 2010 Parkside was invited to host a stall at the Access Awareness Day run by Rushmoor Access Group at the Wellington Centre in Aldershot, Hampshire.

The day was a great opportunity to meet local people and to inform them of Parkside's part within the community and the services which we provide. Our Fundraising Officer Bonnie said: "Today has been very beneficial in many ways, i have met many parents/carers who are concerned for their child/client general wellbeing as they weren't aware about local groups or clubs which their child could attend. It's really great that pro-active groups put on awareness and information days, without them people with learning disabilities do not know about what is available in their community and can become isolated or stuck in the same routine. Days such as these also create a brillant opportunity to create awareness in the local community, while of course promoting inclusion for all. Thank you again to Rushmoor's Access Group for inviting us."

With our new Life Skills and Cafe project in mind Suzanne and Bonnie visited Worthing Mencap to see their Cafe 'Buddys'. Buddys is a drop in centre and a cafe, the cafe is staffed by volunteers, some of whom have learning disabilities. It also sells items for fundraising and is a meeting place for other groups within the community. Suzanne and Bonnie thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Buddys and were very impressed with the cafe, it has given them lots to think about and discuss when planning Parkside's future projects.

If you would like to know any more about Buddys, then please visit:

http://www.buddys.ukf.net/

On Saturday 24th of April 2010 Bonnie our Fundraising and Development Officer went along to Connaught School to represent Parkside at a Special Needs Day. The aim of the day was to invite lots of organisation who support children and adults with special needs to come along and host a stall offering lots of information to parents, carers and professionals. The day was a huge success and was well attended, the day also featured workshops such as Music Therapy, Behavioural and Diet and a workshop on Autism. Special thanks to Amy and Cay Byford for inviting Parkside and hosting a great day.

On Friday 25th February 2010 our Fundraising and Development Officer Bonnie went along to Farnborough Sixth Forms Volunteering Fair to represent Parkside. The aim of the fair was to inform and encourage students of all the possible volunteering opportunities in the local community.

Below is a picture of the information stand that Bonnie uses while out in the community promoting and representing Parkside, if you have an event or know of an event where we could show our display please contact Bonnie today on 01252-313103.

Manager Suzanne and two Parkside clients Paul and Oliver went to the West End Center in Aldershot on Friday 12th February to consult with service users, carers and service providers on Hampshire County Council's Policy aimed at promoting independence and choice in social care.

Both Paul and Oliver were able to put forward their own views with regard to making choices and decisions whilst also being supported to stay safe.

Paul Baker and Oliver Mansell-Ward at the consultation event.