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 Head of Operations
As we move into the cooler, autumnal months, I hope you’ve all been enjoying the sunny summer days. It’s been a very full and rewarding few months for us at The Trust, and I’d like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you for the incredibly warm welcome I’ve received since joining as Head of Operations in May. Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you, from the dedicated team, trustees and our incredible volunteers to the clients we support and our wider community of partners and supporters. I’ve been struck by the genuine care and commitment that runs through everything we do and I’m truly grateful to be part of the Trust.
As ever, the team have been working at full capacity to deliver services and create new opportunities for connection and support. Here’s a roundup of what’s been happening and what’s ahead: Sarah, our Service Manager, has been especially active, attending GP surgeries, building relationships with NHS GP connectors, and participating in surgery events to raise awareness of our services. She’s also made impressive progress networking with hospital teams, NHS management, and local community organisations, with more engagement opportunities lined up in the coming weeks.
We have recently partnered with Stories for Life and are delighted to offer this unique and deeply personal service to our clients. This free offering allows people to record their life stories and share messages with loved ones.
Our Clandon Bereavement Course concluded on 25th June with strong attendance and looking ahead, autumn courses are already scheduled in Reigate and Cranleigh. Our Wellbeing services continue to grow in popularity. This past month, clients have benefited from a range of sessions including haircuts, lymphatic drainage massage, reflexology, and reiki. In July, Mandy delivered a 45-minute bereavement workshop webinar to a corporate partner and received excellent feedback. This is a great example of
how our services can reach beyond our core client group while raising both funds and awareness.
Our next volunteer training course begins on 14th October. We are especially looking forward to holding the sessions in our new office space, with the move planned for early September. Having a permanent base will allow us to better support our team, volunteers, and clients as we continue to grow and develop our services. Plans are in place for an autumn Death Café, continuing its quiet but important role in community outreach.
As we head into the autumn and winter months, we’re thrilled to have a packed calendar of events offering plenty of opportunities to connect with the community and
raise vital funds for the Trust. As we move into the second half of the year, it’s inspiring to see the innovation and compassion that underpin our services. Thank you once
again for the support, collaboration, and dedication you bring to The Trust.
Cathy Garling, Head of Operations
Fundraising at WESTFest
On one of the hottest days in June, we attended WESTFest, held in Westcott. It was their big 10th birthday celebration, and they asked all stallholders to take part and make a scarecrow, which we did- Of course, we called her Brigitte! She didn’t win any prizes, but passers-by did comment on her lovely braids.
WESTFest committee allotted several charities some money which was raised on the day, and we were grateful for their kind donation of £800, which will help us
continue to provide our free services across Surrey.
Fundraising at Banstead Village Fair
This was our 4th year attending this lovely village fair in Banstead. The weather wasn’t the best, but it didn’t stop the locals from popping along to say hello! Lots of great networking with other stands took place, with all of us sharing information and raising awareness.
Thank You Festhumble!
Proceeds from a local music festival hosted by the Stepping Stones Pub were kindly donated to us. As well as enjoying a fun day listening to a range of excellent bands, an amazing £3,088 was raised. All the bands waived their fees and every penny from various activities including a raffle, tombola and a silent auction were donated to the trust. A generous donation was also received from the pub itself.
We’d like to say our grateful thanks to the organisers and all involved in Westhumble’s answer to Glastonbury! A special thanks goes to
Stepping Stones Manager Tina and her super staff, Kay, Del, Ange and Mark. We’d also like to thank our very own volunteer Roger and his wife Pauline who were heavily involved from the beginning, and not forgetting our volunteers who helped on the day, Joan and Lynda. Thank you all again for your support, we really do appreciate it!
Working with Utility Warehouse
We are now working with Utility Warehouse as a UW Connector- This means that when you buy a service such as energy, broadband, or insurance through UW, a small amount of money goes towards our cause. With UW, you could save money on your household bills while providing us with much needed funds to continue our work across Surrey. To learn more, click here.
Congrats to Nicki Murrill, winning Reigate & Banstead’s Volunteer Award
One of our volunteers, Nicki Murrill, was recently awarded the Reigate & Banstead Long Service Volunteer Award for her work with the Brigitte Trust.
She has been a volunteer with us for 12 years and in that time, she has established herself as a dedicated and skilled volunteer supporting a wide variety of different clients.
She is never afraid to take on a challenging situation and treats everyone with kindness and respect, whether they need emotional support, practical help, or someone to go out and about with.
Nicki is a great source of knowledge for her volunteer colleagues and always offers words of advice and wisdom during our regular support group sessions and educational workshops, making her a valuable part of our team. We are delighted to nominate her for this award as a small token of our thanks and respect for all she does for the Trust.
Tucker Joins the Team
Joining our Pets As Therapy team is Tucker, a Border Terrier who completed his training and assessment over the summer.
Tucker is a five-year-old Border Terrier who lives with our Volunteer & Training Manager Mandy, and he is looking forward to visiting clients and making a lot of people smile. His favourite things are food (all food but sausages, cheese and tuna are firm favourites), walking to the pub, and napping. He loves people, especially those who want to make a fuss of him.
For more information about booking a dog visit, speak to our Service Manager Sarah who can give you full details of how it works.
Another successful Jazz in the Garden
We’d like to say a massive thanks to our Trustee Annie Sutton and husband Ralph who hosted this fabulous event in their beautiful home in Westcott for the 7th year.
We had sunshine all day and everyone enjoyed the music with Ralph on the keyboard and Cathy Williams singing with her amazing voice, which made it a day to remember.
Over 150 people attended this afternoon of music and sunshine.
The day raised over £5000, an incredible amount that will allow us to continue supporting those living in Surrey with a terminal diagnosis.
We’d also like to say a big thank you to Seymours Estate Agents in Dorking, who donated a picnic size bottle of prosecco on arrival, which was very much appreciated. Thank you David and the team!
A Talk with Reigate Bridge Club
On 15th July, Tanya was invited to give a short talk to Reigate Bridge Club. They nominate a charity once a year and this year had chosen to raise money for us. Currently, there are 80 members with a waiting list, with 50-60 members playing each week. The club started in 2016, and kept going during Covid by playing on-line, but now meet every Tuesday afternoon in the Colman Redland centre.
The atmosphere was buzzing with laughter and smiles from their 60 members who attended that day, who all purchased raffle tickets, ate delicious cake, and of
course, all enjoyed their game of bridge. Sean, who has volunteered for the Trust for over 9 years, put our Charity forward; the committee had agreed to choose us for this lovely fundraiser. They raised £1,000 which was truly amazing. Thank you all very much.
Neuro Support Group’s Summer Get-together
Our neurological support group had a lovely summer afternoon meet up at Surrey Downs Golf Club on a very hot day in June. There was lots of laughter, sandwiches, cakes and hopefully new friendships forged.
We also said goodbye to Jenny Beech, who has been running this group for the trust for several years now. She has always been such a kind and well-loved member of the Brigitte Trust, starting out as a volunteer visiting palliative care patients over 16 years ago. Jenny is stepping down, but we are sure she will appear on the monthly zoom meeting at some point in the future!
We also welcomed and introduced both Sean and Simon who will be taking over as the new group facilitators.
If you know anyone who may like to join this group who has a diagnosis of MND, MS, PSP or MSA, please contact our Service Manager Sarah at sarah.pattenden@brigittetrust.com or call 07469 932192.
Upcoming Fundraising Events
- Surrey PRIDE– Stoke Park, Guildford on Saturday 6th September
- Quality Street Fair– Quality Street, Merstham on Sunday 7th September
- Teas on The Green– Brockham Church Hall, Betchworth on Sunday 28th September
- Karaoke– Rialto Lounge, Dorking on Monday 3rd November
- Dorking Christmas Fair– High Street, Dorking on Sunday 30th November
For more information on any of these events, or to help us out as a volunteer selling raffle tickets and handing out literature, please contact our Fundraising & Promotions Manager Tanya at tanya.stafford@brigittetrust.com.
With Warmest Wishes to all 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.