by Wendy Johnson
COMMUNITY group Helping Hands, set up to combat the despair of COVID Lockdown and offer support to those struggling financially, is still seeking a forever home where it can continue to thrive.
Helping Hands, which started on March 23rd, 2020, is still coming to terms with the sudden notice of eviction from its base at St Benedict’s Church in Orford last month. Since then, it has been striving to provide much-needed comfort to those suffering from isolation, financial difficulties or physical and mental impairments. However, it’s the demand and success of the group that has become the stumbling block when it comes to finding the perfect new base.
Determined to carry on, the group is currently running a skeletal operation using temporary facilities at Cinnamon Brow Community Farm Club and The Old School in Fairfield Street where volunteers continue the weekly bingo sessions and much-needed social gatherings.
Carol Kilgannon, founder said: “When we were told to leave St Benedict’s we were really worried about whether we could survive. We have managed to secure two temporary bases, and we are very grateful for that, but we really need to find somewhere that can accommodate 100 plus members at a time, have kitchen facilities and be disabled friendly. We are struggling to find that perfect place, but we will find it.”
The group is managing to hold twice weekly bingo sessions that combine a social get together with meals and hot/cold drinks, supplemented by a local food bank sharing scheme. “Each session can attract 90 plus from all walks of life and ages which just goes to prove how much Helping Hands is needed,” added Carol.
The group at Cinnamon Brow Farm
Even though Helping Hands has no ideal home, Carol emphasised that fundraising has to remain a top priority. Organisers have to focus on staging regular fundraising events to complement any funding that they are lucky enough to achieve. “We need to keep our own fundraising going if we are able to provide, and extend what we offer, so it’s important we find a new home soon.” With that in mind, the group is still managing to stage a steady flow of one-off events to ensure their funds remain healthy.
“We were able to prepare and cook our own hearty dishes from curries to roast dinners from scratch, and I have to say it was good food!” Said Carol. “Sadly, we can’t do this at the moment, so we are relying on a sharing system from local food banks. We are really keen to get back in the kitchen and as soon as we find the right base we’ll be bringing back our homecooked dishes. Food is an important part of the jigsaw. Again, it’s all about finding the right place and the sooner the better. We have come across a couple of locations, but unfortunately, they don’t tick all the boxes. We are constantly searching for somewhere that can accommodate us.”
Carol reflects on the sudden notice to vacate their former base. “It was such a shock. This group has given many a purpose in life and it all happened so suddenly we couldn’t really process it. It really affected some of our volunteers quite deeply and members said they found the news upsetting, but we are bouncing back. We have so many ideas and projects, one of them is to raise enough money for our own minibus so we can further subsidise our trips out.”
Fellow director and former nurse, Pam Queeney said: “We are making sure we are doing the best we can under the circumstances. Helping Hands is providing a safe space for people of all ages to meet. Everyone is welcome. Friendships have been made and some of our members now go on holiday together. We wouldn’t be the group we are today if it wasn’t for the group’s diversity and that also includes those with physical and mental disabilities.”
When asked to respond the Archdiocese of Liverpool said: “Helping Hands CIC were given temporary permission to access St Benedict’s Social Club for two lunch times per week. The group has been accessing the club in excess of what was agreed, which has led to significant problems for the parish, including the inability to access parish groups and meetings; disruptions in the running of the parish centre as well as a significant number of complaints to the local Council and police about parking from local residents.
“Helping Hands also registered a CIC with Companies House using the parish centre address as their registered office without the consent of the archdiocese”.
“We appreciate the work carried out by Helping Hands, but the extent of their use has surpassed what was agreed and what we could agree to. It’s clear that they need premises of their own that they can use on a more permanent basis, unfortunately, we can’t offer that”.
“Whilst use for third party community groups for short periods each week is manageable with appropriate contribution towards our costs as we are a charity ourselves, it was clear this group needed much more than that. We wish them the best of luck with finding a new home.”
Carol concluded: “We are ready to grow. This won’t put us off. We realise just how important this is to people. We remain open for business and when we find our new home, it’ll be all systems go!”.
Upcoming events include a VE celebration Thursday May 8th, followed by a cabaret afternoon on Monday, May 12th both events will be held at Monks Club in Woolston. Other events include a ‘Dance through the Decades’ at Walkers Social Club on Saturday June 21st. The group also organises a weekly walking club, held every Monday, starting at 2pm from Orford Park.
Anyone interested in the group’s activities can Carol on 07706982770.
