You can now find condensed copies of our Supporter News here on our blog- these will give you the highlights from our latest issue, such as successful fundraisers and future workshop dates! To sign up to our mailing list and receive the full version of our newsletters, please get in touch with admin@brigittetrust.com.
From our Chair of Trustees
Welcome to the spring edition of the newsletter of the Trust. I am sure that you, like me, have enjoyed the fact that spring this year has arrived with some sunshine after what was a very grey winter. Whatever the weather, the Trust remains busy as always with our staff team working to capacity.
A group of new volunteers joined our ranks recently and we are delighted that they are offering their time to our work. Our next course will not be starting until the autumn but, in the meantime, there continues to be many other activities planned, including the Neurological group which will be meeting face to face shortly, the Before I Say Goodbye workshops (formerly Coffin Club) in June, and the Farewell Cafés (formerly Death Cafés) throughout the summer. Over 100 volunteers are visiting clients weekly, supported by the regular group sessions provided either in person or on zoom.
On a fundraising and awareness level, there are a host of activities where the Trust is represented over the spring and summer, including the flower celebration at Dunsborough Park (home of our Patron Caroline de Sweerts), Jazz in the Garden at Westcott and Teas on the Green at Brockham to name but a few. All of the fundraising, coupled with grant monies, our NHS grant and some exceedingly generous legacies, means that financially the Trust is in robust shape. This is important on many levels but especially so as the need for our services continues to grow as hospices reduce their support to individuals.
Many of you will be aware that our Charity Manager Lucy Beach left the Trust in January. The Trustees reviewed the Trust structure with input from the staff in order to reflect upon the key skills needed by the senior manager. We have decided to appoint a Head of Operations to lead the team and have now interviewed and made a formal offer to a candidate who we hope will start in May. Once we have confirmation, we will inform you through social media and on the team page on our website.
Meanwhile, I hope you all enjoy the spring and summer months and pop along to the stand if you are at an event and see that we are there.
Jan Way MBE, Chair of Trustees
A Big Thank You to St John Ambulance
Thank you so much to Richard Packer and Kath Webster from St John Ambulance who provided a ‘First Aid Refresher’ session for our wonderful volunteers in March, a two hour practical session, with no “death by PowerPoint”. You made it great fun, covering very important information for us all!
“We Are The Brigitte Trust” – A short film
As some of you may have already seen on our social media channels and our website, we partnered up with HelpFilm late last year, a company that helps create videos for charities with the goal of raising awareness and supporting their mission, to put together a short film about our Trust.
Once HelpFilm had matched us with a professional filmmaker, we started to plan what it was that we wanted to create and picked out dates and locations for filming. With a list of questions and a storyboard in hand, we got our cast and crew together and spent two days filming in Clandon Wood and around the beautiful town of Dorking.
We’re very grateful to all of those involved in the filming, from our staff, clients and volunteers to the local businesses and members of the public who were happy to step in front of the camera. Our team are very happy with the final edit of the film and hope you enjoy watching what we’ve created! You can view the finished film here; “We Are The Brigitte Trust”
Fancy a Wellbeing Day?
Do you fancy a Wellbeing Day spent immersing yourself in woodland through Forest Bathing? Why not try Forest Bathing at Birtley Woodland?
Birtley Woodland are hosting an afternoon Forest Bathing session on Saturday 3rd May, from 1:15 until 4:30PM. In this session, you will revel in the beauty of the carpets of bluebells, immersing yourselves in the private woodland at Birtley house. It will be a peaceful celebration of spring- a deeply relaxing, restorative few hours carved out for your wellbeing.
If you can’t make it but know of someone who could do with a boost of nature to uplift their body and mind, please do share the details. Or perhaps you could gift someone with a ticket? Tickets are available here.
Pets as Therapy Visits
Winter, one of our PAT dogs, had a lovely afternoon visiting one of our clients on Valentine’s Day. Winter certainly gave her lots of cuddles and hopefully brought some love into her home with her slobbery kisses!
Dates for your Diary
- WESTfest- Westcott, Sunday 22nd June: We are pleased to announce that we will be attending WESTfest’s 10th birthday celebration this year. This lovely village fair, set on the recreation ground, is a firm fixture in the village calendar and in ours. With lots of stalls, rides and displays from various clubs, it truly is a wonderful family day out. Do put this date in your diary, you won’t regret it.
- Jazz in the Garden- Westcott, Sunday 29th June: Make sure you save the date for our next Jazz in the Garden event, taking place on Sunday 29th June between 1:00 and 4:00PM at The Heights, 10a Broomfield Park, Westcott RH4 3QQ. You are invited to listen, dance and have fun to melodic, toe-tapping jazz with us from Jaz2. Bring your own picnic, chairs, or a blanket and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon with family and friends!
- Banstead Village Fair- Banstead, Saturday 5th July: This is a ‘traditional’ Village Fair organised by Banstead Rotary, with various local organisations and charities running their own stalls.
- Pride- Stokes Park Guildford, Saturday 6th September: This will be our 4th Pride event, and we cannot wait to be there once more! There is always a great atmosphere amongst the stall holders and the general public, with families and lots of dogs visiting throughout the day. The music keeps everyone happy and there are lots of foody vans and wonderful stalls selling bits and bobs, a selection of charity stalls and of course there are lots of colourful costumes being worn!
- Quality Street Fair- Merstham, Sunday 7th September: This will be our second year attending this lovely village fair. Set in Quality Street in Merstham, you’d be mad to miss this one! The street will come alive with fun for all the family- dog competitions, dancing from the local school, a variety of food and drink vans, charity stalls (including ours!), and more.
- Teas on the Green- Brockham, Sunday 28th September: This is one of our favourite fundraising events of the year for our Charity, serving delicious homemade cakes and biscuits with hot and cold refreshments, using only our best china! We will also be holding our raffle, giving you the chance to win a beautiful hamper. There is plenty of seating inside and outside, suitable for all the family. Please come and support this local event, we would love to see you all!
With Warmest Wishes and Warmer Weather to all of our Volunteers, Clients, Supporters and Friends of the Trust from the Trustees and the Team at The Brigitte Trust.
Want to fundraise for The Brigitte Trust?
You can get started today by creating your fundraising page online with Enthuse. Your support means that we can reach out and help more people living with a life-limiting illness in Surrey.