Approached by the Halle Project in 2012 to see if we would be interested in setting up a Well Being Cafe, the church was excited at the prospect of setting up a monthly session for those who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's, for their carers, for the lonely and housebound. Jean and John Watmough worked in conjunction with Carol at halle and put together a group who would provide once a month a haven for those with particular need. For various reasons it could not be called a Well Being Cafe, and so the name "Wrose buddies" was born.
Carol organises taxis to bring people to the church hall once a month, lays on the entertainment, the music, a speaker, food. From the start a charge of £3 per person and a voluntary payment of £1 per strip for the raffle was asked for and willingly given. a group of volunteers was formed and meets once a month before the session to make preparations so that those attending have an afternoon to remember. At first numbers were reaching 20, then into the 30's and last month 40 people filled the room! It was wonderful!
On Monday 15 July there were 33 coffee tea and cakes served and a lady came to talk about disability aids which are available. then there was a singer. Music is very popular (and the helpers enjoy it too!). At the outset Halle had conducted a survey in the Wrose area to see if there was actually any need for this type of social gathering. They were amazed at the result - Wrose has a huge community need and is just waiting for someone to meet it. Wrose Methodist church aims to do just that! We now regularly get between 30 and 40 people at each meeting and enquiries are continuing to come in from people who want to know what is happening, and if it would be just the thing for their mother, wife or friend. It also gives carers the opportunity to have a rest, relax and talk to others in similar circumstances. Word is getting round! Prayer is being answered! Unfortunately, things have not run smoothly, funding was withdrawn from Halle and it seemed that they would not be able to support Wrose Buddies. The future was bleak, after only a few months. In an effort to keep the club going people now pay for their own taxis to the church, instead of Halle paying for them. Ways are being explored to raise money, find grants, run things on thin air if necessary! Halle wants very much to continue, and Wrose is determined to do everything they can to ensure it. Unexpectedly £900, which was spare from the Well Being Cafe at Baildon, was given by Halle to Wrose Buddies which should keep the club going until Christmas.
Every month Wrose Buddies receives the proceeds from the raffle, which is then put into a separate account in case it needs to be used in the event that no money will be allocated to us after Christmas. The account now stands at £253 and rising! We have a table at the Table Top Sale in September at Wrose Methodist Church to raise more funds and we are applying for grants to various places to build up a capital to allow us to continue in 2014. No-one wants this project to come to an end. With God's help, it won't. Please keep us all in your prayers.
Lynn K
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