Upfront Marketing News

ARTS CENTRE CAFÉ CELEBRATES CARERS’ WEEK WITH FREE COFFEE MORNINGS

National Carers’ Week 8th-14th June, 2009

Carers across Letchworth and beyond will be treated to a free coffee and a cake in the Letchworth Arts Centre Café during Carers’ Week (June 8th- 12th).

The Arts Centre Café, run by the Guideposts Trust, which specialises in providing employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, is joining with Carers in Hertfordshire in running special coffee mornings to celebrating the often unsung work that the UK’s 6million unpaid carers contribute to the community.

Each morning from 11am-12noon during carers week, carers and the people they care for can enjoy a free coffee or tea and a cake with like-minded people in the disabled-friendly, comfortable environment of the Café – which benefits from a lift and wheelchair access.

Martin Oliver, Regional Manager (Eastern), from the Guideposts Trust, said “As a charity that provides help and support for people with learning difficulties we appreciate how hard carers work in looking after their loved ones and how tough it can be for them”, he said. ldquo;By inviting them to join us in these special coffee mornings I hope we can show them that they are valued and that they deserve recognition for the fabulous roles they play in their loved ones’ lives”, he concluded.

Andrea Watts from Carers In Hertfordshire, added: “Many people do not identify themselves as carers and so do not receive services or financial support that they may be entitled to. We aim to raise awareness of carers in all areas of the community, remembering that they come from different age groups, backgrounds and cultures”, she concluded.

For further information, please call Polina Pendeva on 07912 994 176, email ppendeva@guidepoststrust.org.uk or visit www.guidepoststrust.org.uk

For information regarding Carers In Hertfordshire please call 01462 456660.

For media information contact Deborah Jeffries, UpFront Marketing on 01702 716633/ mob: 07734 202845, email deborah@upfront-marketing.co.uk

VOLUNTEER HELPERS NEEDED FOR AWARD-WINNING BEDFORD CAFE

A brand new raw food café is being created at the Day Resource Centre, Bedford Health Village to provide healthy, energy-rich food to local people whilst offering volunteering opportunities to people with mental health issues.

The award-winning Real Renaissance Café, is opening a new Sparkling Energy Café as part of its offering to customers, and is now seeking volunteers with a wide range of skills to help out with this new venture. It is working towards an opening date in the autumn.

Volunteers with all kinds of skills would be welcomed. However, the café is specifically looking for people who have a strong interest in learning more about healthy eating and would like to help make raw and vegan dishes in the café’s kitchen, as well as people to help organise and staff events, including local art exhibitions and community activities.

Two other specific roles that need to be filled are that of a assistant for the project co-ordinator, who will ensure that all paper work and planning is up to date, and a book keeper.

Funding for the project has been awarded by the Department of Health, Grass Roots and the NHS Endowment Fund. This means that work on the café building can be undertaken to create a space for art exhibitions and community ventures, as well as enabling the café to open for two evenings during the week as well as weekday lunchtimes.

Ann Peckham, manager of the Real Renaissance Café and the person behind the creation of the Sparkling Energy Café explained the thinking behind this project. “It’s been well documented that the enzymes present in raw foods are of great benefit to the health and well-being of the mind and body. Our café is predominantly staffed by trained volunteers on the employment programme, most of whom are recovering from mental health issues. By taking this extra step to make sure that the food we prepare is not only delicious but naturally healthy in its raw state, I feel that we are helping the people who work and eat here to fulfil their potential through providing them with the best nutrition possible”, she said.

If you would like to volunteer at the new Sparkling Energy Café, in Kimbolton Road, Bedford please call Ann on 01234 310030 or visit http://www.therealrenaissancecafe.com for more information.

For media information contact Deborah Jeffries, UpFront Marketing on 01702 716633/ mob: 07734 202845, email deborah@upfront-marketing.co.uk

MAKE YOUR LEGS WORK FOR YOU AT THE SOUTHEND HALF MARATHON WITH THE BODY MATTERS

Over 1,200 runners are expected to participate in this year’s Havens Hospices Southend Half Marathon, taking place on Sunday June 14th.

Now in its 13th year, it will starting and finish at Shoebury East Beach and is one of the biggest charity running races in south east England.

If you’re already preparing for the race, you will certainly benefit from a sports massage from Louise Johnson of The Body Matters, Leigh’s dedicated sports and therapeutic massage clinic in Ashleigh Drive, off Broadway.

Committed to ensuring the well-being of runners’ legs and overall body condition, Louise will also be there are the finish of the Southend Half Marathon, offering a 15 minute sports massage for £15.

“Running is a sport that most people can enjoy and benefit from”, explained Louise. “But, as with any sport, it is vital that you prepare your body for the exertion it is about to go through – however fit you are. Before you start and while you train, it’s important to make sure your legs, feet and whole body are in a good enough condition to ensure that you achieve your goals, whatever they are”.

Louise Johnson is no stranger to running and, therefore, knows the challenges of pounding the roads first hand. Having conquered six marathons, many half marathons and 10K runs, she knows first hand how crucial it is to keep your body healthy and well-maintained.

“As a runner myself I understand fully the physical challenges of running on the body”, Louise explained. “Poor circulation is a common problem, which can be easily remedied by a deep sports massage. This will also release any tightness in the muscles and help to prevent injuries. Massage is also excellent at helping to prevent injury and maintain the body at its optimum level of fitness.

“Adding a regular sports massage into any training timetable will help to reduce stress on the muscles which, in turn, will aid any physical performance. And if you come to me after the race I will help to ease any pain or discomfort in your legs through massage and aid the cooling down process for your muscles”, she concluded.

The Body Matters is offering a 10% discount on all massage treatments to people running in the Southend Half Marathon on proof of their entry. For further information or to book a treatment phone Louise on 01702 714968. Gift vouchers are also available.

For media information contact Deborah Jeffries, UpFront Marketing on 01702 716633/ mob: 07734 202845, email deborah@upfront-marketing.co.uk

CASTLE POINT CAB LAUNCHES NEW FINANCIAL LITERACY PROJECT

Castle Point Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CPCAB) is launching a new financial literacy project this month at two of Canvey’s Children’s Centres - Little Lions at Northwick Park School and Little Tewkes, Tewkes Creek Pavilion, Dovervelt Road. 

Parents and carers of young children living locally will be able to benefit from advice on how to maximise their income, get out of debt and many other financial issues facing families in the current economic downturn at these Children’s centres, which are jointly managed by CPCAB and Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS).

Ken Payne, Trustee for both CPCAB and CAVS, said: “We understand that can be very hard for parents with very young children to cope with the financial pressure of today’s hard times, which is why we’ve created this service specifically for them. We welcome anyone who is worried about money issues to call us on the above number and we will do what we can to help”, he concluded.

To make a confidential appointment at Little Lions or Little Tewkes Children’s Centres, the CPCAB offices in Long Road, Canvey or at the council offices, Kiln Road, Thundersley, drop into your choice of venue or phone

CPCAB is a charity organisation that provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects to people living in Castle Point. It can help with debt worries, claiming benefits, housing and employment problems, consumer and tax issues. It can advise on legal matters, answer questions concerning immigration, as well as family and personal matters. For further information phone 0844 4770808 or visit www.castlepointcitizensadvicebureau.org.uk.

For media information contact Deborah Jeffries, UpFront Marketing on 01702 716633/ mob: 07734 202845, email deborah@upfront-marketing.co.uk

LEIGH GRADUATION FOR iCOMPUTEIT’S
OVER 50s COMPUTER COURSE

Twelve silver surfers recently graduated from Leigh’s new computer training class for the over 50s.

Gerry Thornton, started iComputeIT, a not-for-profit organisation, last December in order to teach older people the basics of home computing in the relaxed and informal surroundings of their homes or at their local club. The first eight-week courses, each with six students and held for two hours at 10am and 1pm every Wednesday at The Stables Lounge, rear of 195 Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, have now finished, with twelve local men and women now able to send emails, use the internet, type letters, and use a web camera, as well as know how to make cheap telephone calls via the internet and the importance of using of anti-virus programs.

The next courses at The Stables Lounge in Leigh, will be held morning and afternoon every Wednesday from 25th March at 10am-12noon and 1-3pm respectively.

The success of his first students has led Gerry start new courses in Thorpe Bay and Rayleigh.  Free taster sessions will be held at Thorpe Bay Methodist Church on 24th April from 10.30-12.30pm with another in Rayleigh Baptist Church, High Street, Rayleigh SS6 7QA on Thursday 23rd April, again at 10.30am – 12:30pm.

“I am really pleased with how well my students have grasped what I’ve taught them”, Gerry said, “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and they say they have too. None of them want the course to finish!”, he concluded.

Bespoke courses for local clubs and societies can be arranged on request, as can one-to-one sessions with people in the comfort of their home.
Gift vouchers are available on request.

For further information or to book a place at a taster session or on a course call Gerry on 01702 479021, email gerry@icomputeit.co.uk or visit www.icomputeit.co.uk

For media information contact Deborah Jeffries, UpFront Marketing on 01702 716633/ mob: 07734 202845, email deborah@upfront-marketing.co.uk