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Volunteer Newsletter January 2021

Happy New Year!

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas period, and that you are looking forward to a much happier 2021. As you can probably imagine, I don’t have too much to update you on since our last Volunteer Newsletter in May but there a few things…

Firstly, as some of you may already know, I will be leaving Walthew House on Friday 15th January, I am leaving to work for the North West Ambulance Service in their control room before going back to University next year to study to be a Paramedic. I have loved my time here at Walthew, and I’d just like to thank you all again for being such amazing volunteers, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of what I have done over the last two and a half years without you all! I will be sure to pop in every now and then!

There will be a new fundraiser, Elizabeth taking over from Monday 18th January. Elizabeth has kindly sent over a short piece for me to include in this newsletter which you can find on the next page.

I would also like to thank you all for your involvement in providing our COVID support from March – September. I have included an infographic on the back page of this newsletter which was produced in July. We made over 1,150 check in and chat phone calls and video calls, provided over 100 care packages, delivered over 50 lots of shopping, and so much more! As you know, our services are now back open but we are continuing to support people through phone calls, remote technology help, and 1-2-1 walks. The best person to contact for more information about these services is Ruth Kaiser on, office@walthewhouse.org.uk or on 0161 480 2612 all day Wednesday.

Elizabeth Powell Introduction

“Hello everyone!

My name is Elizabeth (pictured right) and I will be joining Walthew House as the new Fundraiser in January. I have worked for MySight, a sight loss charity in York for the past year after graduating from York St John University, where I organised and ran various fundraising events such as our annual Christmas Carol Singing, as well as managing our Big Give Christmas Challenge which raised over £3,500! During the COVID-19 pandemic, I also introduced various virtual forms of fundraising such as setting up an eBay shop, introducing Text Giving and encouraging supporters to donate books, CDs and DVDs to Ziffit which could be turned into donations!

I also worked closely with our volunteers and students from both York St John and York University who supported all of our fundraising initiatives and were at the heart of the work the charity did to support people with sight loss.

I am looking forward to starting my role with Walthew House in the New Year, and working alongside the rest of the team to provide support for people with sight and hearing loss. Let’s hope the next year is better than the last!”

Iz Powell

 Volunteering opportunities

  • Collection boxes – We have around 60 counter top collection boxes placed in cafes, shops, restaurants, salons etc. around Stockport. We would like as many of these as possible to be collected. However, we are aware that many people still aren’t comfortable going in and out of shops. So, this opportunity would involve being allocated a few shops to call, check if their business is open and if they are happy for us to change their box. And then, if you are comfortable, popping in at a time that suits you to change this box over to a new one (which I would provide you with), and drop off the (hopefully) full one at Walthew House. We currently have boxes for collection in SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SK7 and SK8. If you are able to help with this please contact Shannon/Elizabeth
  • Collection boxes – We would also like to place more boxes. If you have any connections or ideas on new locations for our counter top collection boxes, please let Shannon/Elizabeth know

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Thank you all again for your continued support… Thank you for standing in the cold and rain with me on supermarket and float collections, for giving up your Christmas Eve to stand in a supermarket, for stuffing envelopes, for managing crazy busy fairs and events with me, for collecting and carrying those heavy collection boxes, and for everything in between… You are all amazing!

I hope to see you in the not too distant future…

Shannon