RAY OF SUNSHINE APPEAL GIVES LOCAL CHARITIES A BOOST INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Jan/Feb 2013
BVSC’s bi-monthly newsletter including news of Bexley’s Voluntary sector
RAY OF SUNSHINE APPEAL GIVES
LOCAL CHARITIES A BOOST
Cover Story - Page 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Become a Food Champion - Page 9
Hospice Ambassador Scheme Awards - Back Page

SPOTLIGHT
BVSC Contacts
Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) is the co-ordinating body for
voluntary activity in the Borough of Bexley, and
provides advice, information and resources to local
voluntary organisations.
Chief Executive -
Janet Smith
020 8304 0911
information@bvsc.co.uk
Book-keeper –
Carol Wilkinson
020 8304 0911
cwilkinson@bvsc.co.uk
BVSC Executive
Chair : Mrs L Whitby Vice-Chair : Mr D Lonergan Treasurer : Mr B Jones
Central Administration
and Information
Administration Manager –
Pamela Sloan
020 8301 7987
adminmanager@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Assistant –
Sharon Allen
020 8304 0911
adminsupport@bvsc.co.uk
Offi ce Assistant –
Tammi Baker
020 8301 7985
offassist@bvsc.co.uk
Volunteer Centre
Centre Manager –
Lynne Regan
020 8304 0911
lregan@bvsc.co.uk
Drop-in facility Co-ordinator –
Melanie Shepherd
020 8304 0911
mshepherd@bvsc.co.uk
Volunteer Support Worker –
Sharon Williams
020 8301 7989
vspworker@bvsc.co.uk
Database Administrator –
Jennie Branch
020 8304 0911
bexleyvc@bvsc.co.uk
Development Team
Development Manager –
Olwyn Sinclair
020 8304 0911
osinclair@bvsc.co.uk
Small Groups
Development Offi cer –
Carol Britnell
020 8301 7995
cbritnell@bvsc.co.uk
Community Accountant –
Louise Jossa
020 8301 7993
commacc@bvsc.co.uk
Team Secretary –
Kim Rabe
020 8304 0911
krabe@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Assistant –
Tracy Pettey
020 8304 0911
tpettey@bvsc.co.uk
Partnership Team
Partnership Manager
(Health & Social Care) –
Julie Bristow
020 8301 7998
jbristow@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Support –
Mel Shepherd
020 8301 7997
ptnrshipadmin@bvsc.co.uk
Children, Youth & Families Offi cer –
Becca Jones
020 8301 7999
rjones@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Support –
Melanie Shepherd
020 8301 7997
mshepherd@bvsc.co.uk
Contact us
Bexley Voluntary
Service Council
8 Brampton Road
Bexleyheath
Kent DA7 4EY
Tel: 020 8304 0911
Fax: 020 8298 9583
Email: information@bvsc.co.uk
www.bvsc.co.uk
Please visit the news page at
BVSC’s website for regular news
updates and job vacancies.
The contents of SPOTLIGHT do not necessarily reflect the views of BVSC or its Executive Committee.
Registered Charity No. 279880 Company Limited by Guarantee No. 1501746.

SPOTLIGHT
BVSC & Local News
EDITORIAL
Happy New Year to you all and welcome to the first Spotlight of 2013, issue 32 of BVSC’s bi-monthly
newsletter. Our front cover features two of our groups benefitting from the Ray of Sunshine
Appeal, Cllr Ray Sams’ chosen charity during his mayoral year. The article can be seen on page 4.
The March / April issue of SPOTLIGHT will be published on Monday 25th February 2013. We are
always interested in receiving your articles for consideration, so please let us know about any events
or news you would like to publicise. E-mail your contributions (with pictures if possible), to:
adminmanager@bvsc.co.uk or send by post to the address on page 2 by the article deadline date of
Friday 1st February 2013.
SMALL GROUPS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Pam Sloan, SPOTLIGHT Editor
BVSC's Small Groups Development Officer, Carol Britnell, is now working 3 days a week, Tuesday
Wednesday and Thursday, due to a change in funding resources. Carol will be organising training
courses to benefit small groups and London and Quadrant residents, and will still be working with
current and new small groups on a one to one basis, although, due to the reduction in hours she will
be unable to work with quite so many as in previous years. However, there will still be support from
other members of the Development Team: Olwyn Sinclair, Development Manager, and Louise Jossa,
Community Accountant.
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CONTACT INFORMATION
From 1 December, customer addresses will be:
PO Box 110, Liverpool, L69 3EF (for any disclosure application issues)
PO Box 181, Darlington, DL1 9FA (for any barring referrals)
For all Freedom of Information, Data Protection, and Subject Access Requests, enquiries should be
addressed to the relevant Department at this address:
PO Box 165, Liverpool, L69 3JD
Disclosure and Barring Service Customer Contact Numbers:
For enquiries about DBS checks, call customer services: 0870 90 90 811.
For DBS referrals and safeguarding matters please contact: 01325 953 795.
CURRENT BEXLEY LONDON BOROUGH CONSULTATIONS
To find the current consultations being carried out by Bexley London Borough, follow this link:
https://www.engagespace.co.uk/engage/bexley/
The Bexley Carers Strategy:
Consultation on draft priorities - closes 6 February 2013
Learning Disability Services:
If you have any feedback on current services or changes you feel should be considered; consultation
closes on 31 January 2013.
All details about how to respond together with any relevant documents or information can be found
by using the following link above.

SPOTLIGHT
Sector & Local News
COVER STORY:
TWO LOCAL CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM RAY OF SUNSHINE APPEAL
Following the success of his Ray of Sunshine Appeal, Councillor Ray Sams and his wife
Diane are pictured presenting cheques to Carol McCall of SNAP and Anne Bennett of
Bexley Moorings Project. During his mayoral year Councillor Sams hosted a number of
successful events and over £30,000 was raised.
This money was shared between the two local charities and both have reported that
particularly in this current financial climate it was a fantastic boost from the people of Bexley
supporting their Charities. Thanks were also extended to the Mayoral Team who worked
tirelessly throughout the year supporting Councillor Sams.
SNAP supports over 1,200 disabled children and families in Bexley, providing a wide range of
advice, support and training for parents, youth clubs, playschemes, weekend activities and
outings for disabled young people as well as specialist services for pre-school disabled
children.
Bexley Moorings Project supports young people including young carers, vulnerable and
isolated young people through groups and one to one befriending. This is supported by a
large number of volunteers.
The monies raised will be used directly to support the young people of Bexley including
additional hydrotherapy sessions and group activities.
Cover Photo: Left to Right: Carol McCall, Cllr Ray Sams, Mrs Diane Sams, and Anne Bennett
BEXLEY COMMUNITY FIRE CADETS
In November the Bexley Community Fire Cadets passed out at Erith Fire Station.
Before an audience of their proud families and friends, the London Fire Brigade
Commissioner Ron Dobson, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Members and
local Councillors from Bexley Borough the Bexley. The Bexley
Community Fire Cadets gave a short display of some of the
operational skills they had acquired during the course before
receiving their Portfolio of achievements including their BTEC
qualification, presented by the Commissioner.
Community Fire Cadets (CFC) has been part of the Brigade’s
approach to Youth Engagement for the past 4 years, and
this course is the second in Bexley. The course is run over
a 15 month period and offers young people participating
the opportunity to come to a fire station one evening a
week where they work alongside operational fire fighters
to develop fire brigade related skills aligned to a recognised
qualification; the Edexcel ‘BTEC Level 2 Award and Certificate
in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community’.
continued on page 5...
Above: Drew Cutmore and
LFB Comissioner Ron Dobson

SPOTLIGHT
Local News
...continued from page 4
The course provides young people with the opportunity to learn transferable life skills such
as team work, leadership as team work, leadership, communication, Health & Safety, and
First Aid. These are recognised within their London Fire Brigade (LFB) Portfolio.
The Bexley cadets have represented the Brigade at a number of prestigious events this year
including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and for the first time ever provided a
supportive role at the World Rescue Challenge hosted by the Brigade held at the ExCel
Centre in October 2012. They carried out an active role supporting specialist fire brigade
teams from around the world competing against each other in their skills of casualty
assessment and handling in the Trauma Challenge.
Tracey Hall, Youth Engagement Coordinator says: “not
only does CFC give young people the chance to gain a
qualification for their CV and an insight into aspects of
the Brigade’s functions and responsibilities and
Community Fire Safety, it prepares them for their adult
life teaching them credible life skills such as team work,
communication, First Aid, problem solving and most
definitely helps to build their personal confidence and
resilience giving them a real sense of pride and achievement.
The Brigade and our local funders have invested
in a potential lifetime of achievements for these young
people, something that in today’s economical climate is
much needed and very welcome.”
“CFC gave me the chance to find my true self. It gave me
the time, attention and nurturing to grow into the best
person I can be. Not only did I learn about the fire and
rescue service, I learnt invaluable life skills. We aren’t just
a cadet group, we are a family.” Bexley CFC, Vicky.
The evening was rounded off with a presentation by the Worshipful Company of Fire
Fighters for The Outstanding Achievement Award to Bexley CFC Drew Cutmore. Drew was
nominated for the award in recognition of her progress and achievements throughout the
course.
The Brigade will be starting a new Community Fire Cadet course in January 2013. Young
people are able to access CFC by referral only, usually (but not exclusively) by their school,
as places are limited. If you are aged 14 to 16 and interested in becoming a Community Fire
Cadet or wish to refer a young person you are working with, please contact: communityfirecadets@london-fire.gov.uk
including your name, age and school or agency details.
Photo: cadets in action.

SPOTLIGHT
Group & Sector News
BVSC’S COPYING SERVICE AND
RESOURCES
BVSC’s membership copying rates are set at
very reasonable prices. We can help you with
your printing needs, in mono, or colour copying,
and also provide magazine and booklet
finishing. See our prices online at:
http://www.bvsc.co.uk/wp-content/
uploads/2011/02/Resource-leaflet.pdf
NEW PERSONAL ADDRESS SYSTEM
FOR HIRE
We also offer loan of equipment, and have
recently purchased a portable personal address
(PA) system. We have a Powerpoint projector,
flipchart, collection tins and display stands for
loan. This service is free to our members.
Contact Sharon Allen by email: adminsupport@
bvsc.co.uk or Tammi Baker offassist@bvsc.co.uk
Tel: 020 8304 0911 if you would like to take
advantage of our copying and resources
service.
BABY BOOT FAIR
Danson Children’s Centre held a Baby Boot
Fair at Danson Youth Centre in Bexleyheath
on the 21st November. The event was a huge
success with over 25 stall holders selling a
vast range of top quality baby and under 5’s
equipment, clothes and toys at exceptionally
low prices.
Admission was free to both buyers and sellers,
although sellers do need to book a table. The
next Danson Baby Boot Fair is on Wednesday
27th February.
To book a table please email the centre:
dansonyc@btconnect .com
CO-OPERATIVE GRANT FOR
BRITISH POLIO FELLOWSHIP
The North West Kent Branch of the Polio
Fellowship successfully applied to the
Co-operative Group for a £500 grant,
enabling some of our members to enjoy a
coach trip to the seaside next year. Their
grateful thanks go to the Co-operative
Group.
SPACES FOR HIRE AT
THE LINK THAMESMEAD
The Link Thamesmead is a brand new, stateof-the-art
community hub offering an array
of spaces for hire in the arches under the
Harrow Manor Way flyover, all of which will
make your guests feel welcome from the
moment they walk through the door.
The large reception area on the ground floor
of Arch A offers a stunning and unique venue
for drinks receptions, networking events and
exhibitions and boasts a café, informal seating,
free WiFi internet access and two widescreen
TVs. Also available are:
IT Suite
Meeting Rooms
Music Studio & Rehearsal Room
The Studio - (the perfect space for rehearsals
and performances alike)
For prices and further information,
contact The Link Thamesmead:
T 020 8320 4499
E contact@thelinkthamesmead.co.uk
Belvedere Road, Thamesmead, London, SE2
FAIR FINANCE
Trust Thamesmead are working in partnership
with Fair Finance, a personal loans company,
dedicated to making loans more affordable.
Existing Fair Finance customers can get a reduced
rate on their loans.
The company advertise that they are "Always
cheaper than a payday loan and a doorstep
lender. No problem if you're unemployed, on
benefits of have CCJ's. Money is paid directly into
your account. Pay monthly or weekly. No hidden
costs. Professional service".
Contact Fair Finance: 020 8988 0627 fairfinance.
org.uk info@fairfinance.org.uk

SPOTLIGHT
Sector News
MINISTER FOR CIVIL SOCIETY’S INTERIM RESPONSE TO
LORD HODGSON’S REVIEW OF THE CHARITIES ACT 2006
The government has turned down the proposal by Lord Hodgson that charities with incomes of more
than £1m should be allowed to pay their trustees without first getting approval from the Charity
Commission to change their governing documents.
The decision comes in an interim response from Nick Hurd, the Minister for Civil Society, to Lord
Hodgson’s review of the Charities’ Act 2006, which came out in July and included the recommendation
to make it easier for large charities to pay trustees. Nick Hurd’s ruling will be welcomed by many
voluntary sector organisations, including the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which
declared themselves “strongly opposed.”
The Minister’s response also says no to Lord Hodgson’s proposal to abolish National Exemption Orders
(NEO’s) which enable large charities to do house-to-house collections without local licenses. But it
adds that the government does want a mechanism for making local authorities aware of NEO
collections in their areas.
Lord Hodgson’s recommendation to develop a system for charging charities for filing their annual
returns requires further work before a full response, says Nick Hurd. “Given the challenge of the
current economic climate for many cha rities, it is not something that we would propose lightly, but
we cannot rule it out at this stage”, he says.
On Lord Hodgson’s proposal for fining or withdrawing Gift Aid from charities that file their annual
accounts late, Nick Hurd recognises that the Charity Commission lacks “a proportionate range of
sanctions” and says work will proceed with the commission and other stakeholders to consider such
sanctions.
There is also an ‘amber light’ for Lord Hodgson’s proposal to change the mandatory registration
threshold from an annual income of £5,000 to one of £25,000. Nick Hurd says it needs further
thought in the light of a mixed reaction from the sector and evidence that the public would prefer to
see more rather than fewer charities registered.
A green light is given to Lord Hodgson’s view that there should be no change to the definition of a
charity and public benefit: “We look to the tribunals and the courts to quickly provide legal clarity
where questions arise, as has been the case in relation to fee-charging charitable schools and benevolent
charities, and is now the case in relation to a particular religious group”.
The review also backs Lord Hodgson on keeping the role and form of the Charity Commission as it is,
but sets aside his suggestions that its name could be changed. It endorses proposals for greater
transparency and more deregulation.
Nick Hurd prefaces his letter to Lord Hodgson by saying he will issue a full response only after the
Public Administration Select Committee, currently holding an inquiry into the act and the regulation
of charities, produces its report, expected early next year.
(Abridged article from Third Sector governance bulletin article)

SPOTLIGHT
Group & Partnership Team News
NEW REPORT ON ADULT SOCIAL CARE IN BEXLEY
The London Borough of Bexley has
published its first annual report on
adult social care in the Borough, which
aims to give local residents more
information about the quality of these
services.
The annual report explains how the
Council is meeting the social care and
support needs of adults in Bexley. This
includes carers, older people,
people with disabilities or mental
health needs, together with other
vulnerable adults.
The report includes information on:
• How the money for adult social
care is spent
• How people have benefited
from care and support
• Progress over the last year and
what needs to improve
• How the Council has responded
to feedback from residents
• Bexley’s priorities for the next 12
months
Last year, the Council spent £55 million
on adult social care and provided services
to 6,821 people with substantial or
critical care needs. Of these, more than
5,000 people received their services at
home.
Using real examples, the report shows
that the Council is making a positive
difference to people’s lives. In
particular:
• The Council continues to respond
quickly and take action to keep
adults at risk of abuse
• Last year, the Council provided
practical support to 928 people to
help them to regain the skills
necessary for daily living, following
a hospital admission or other crisis.
Of these, 87% regained independ
ence.
• More adults with learning disabili
ties are living in their own home or
with their family.
The report gives further information on
the Council’s performance against a range
of key indicators. Overall, this shows that
the Council has improved on its performance
in previous years to deliver better
outcomes for residents.
The report has been published on the
Council’s website at:
www.bexley.gov.uk/ascannualreport
It is available in a number of formats,
including a summary version and an easy
read version.
You can give your views about the content
of the report by taking part in a short
online survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ASCannualreport.
Your feedback will help to
influence the Council’s plans to produce
next year’s annual report.
• Over 3,000 people now receive
a personal budget, which
is essentially a sum of money
that they can use to meet their
social care needs.

SPOTLIGHT
Sector News
BECOME A LONDON FOOD CHAMPION
Love Food Hate Waste (www.lovefoodhatewaste.com) aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce
food waste and help them take action. It shows that by doing some easy practical everyday things in
the home we can all waste less food, which will ultimately benefit our purses and the environment
too.
Love Food Hate Waste is brought to you by WRAP, a not-for-profit organisation (backed by Government
funding from England, NI, Scotland and Wales).
This organisation works with a wide range of partners, from community organisations, chefs, UK
businesses, trade bodies and local authorities through to individuals looking for practical advice.
Their aim is to always work together with others to achieve the best results.
Love Food Hate Waste say: “We know from our research that giving people the skills, confidence and
enthusiasm to go out and pass on the Love Food Hate Waste messages, via businesses, councils and
community groups is a really effective way of reaching a lot of people to help them throw less food
away.
In London we are supporting a community lead initiative which we hope will continue for years
across London. We are looking for volunteers to help us pass on Love Food Hate Waste tips and
advice on to others, providing as little or as much time as they can. You will receive full training and
your local Volunteer Co-ordinator will be there on hand to offer support and advice along the way.”
Here are just some activities you could think about:
• Run a Love Food Hate Waste week at work
• Encourage others to join their network of Food Champions
• Organise for a few friends or colleagues to get together so you can pass on Love Food
Hate Waste tips and advice:
• Ask local parenting groups, allotment groups, food groups if they'd like a talk from you
• Provide support to your Local Authority when they are running events
...or anything at all to make sure we help as many people as possible across London waste less food,
save money and help the environment. Pass on your top tips and advice to friends, family, neighbours
and colleagues at home or at work
Using their free, downloadable material on their partners website, put up Love Food Hate Waste
posters in your local area (doctor’s surgeries, schools, shops, markets, community centres etc); ask
the local press to feature an article about what you are doing; write an article for a local newsletter;
organise a stand at a local fair, supermarket, farmer’s market, food fair; use Facebook and Twitter to
promote the campaign; write a blog about your experience as a volunteer.
For more information, contact Stephanie Pinner, Volunteer Coordinator - Love Food Hate Waste.
Telephone: 020 8853 1331 E-Mail: stephanie@volunteersgreenwich.org.uk
Website: www.volunteercentregreenwich.org.uk
Registered Charity No. 1081369 I Registered Company No. 3832423

SPOTLIGHT
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities for Jan
Crossroads Care Bexley
Treasurer Wanted!
Crossroads supports people
with care needs and their carers
providing a range of support
services.
An appropriately qualified individual
is needed to join their
Board as Treasurer. He/she will
Chair the Finance & General
Purposes Committee and take
the strategic lead in overseeing
the financial affairs of Crossroads
Care Bexley, monitoring
and confirming its financial
viability & ensuring that proper
financial records and procedures
are maintained.
A separate Management
Accountant is employed to deal
with the day to day, operational
accounting and book keeping.
Sova Orbit Mentoring Project
Adult and Young Person
Mentors
The Sova Orbit Mentoring
Project needs volunteer mentors
to support local Orbit south
residents and family members.
Mentors provide practical advice
and emotional support, helping
residents to make informed
choices and have better lives.
Mentors help to motivate
residents to find ways to tackle
problems, whether they are
at risk of losing their tenancy,
involved in anti-social behaviour
or need help getting back to
work and education. Volunteers
receive accredited training.
The next Induction Training will
take place over 3 days on the
14th, 21st and 28th January 2013.
Sense
Charity Shop
Volunteers are needed in the
shop in Bexleyheath Broadway
to assist with sorting donated
items, steaming, hanging and
pricing them and helping out
on the till and cleaning the
shop. This is a good opportunity
to gain retail experience.
Teenage Cancer Trust
Collection Weekend at
Argos Stores
Can you spare a few hours of
your time at your local Argos
store? Volunteers are needed
to hold bucket collections at
Argos stores over the weekend
of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27
January 2013.
This is an amazing chance to
raise much needed funds for
Teenage Cancer Trust. You will
be sent promotional materials
& the collection bucket will
be waiting for you in store, so
it’s really simple - just sign up,
turn up & bucket collect. Up to
three volunteers can collect at
any one time, so why not
organise your friends and family
into shifts and see how many
hours you can give?
Bexley & Dartford Samaritans
Snack Bar Volunteers!
Do you have a few hours to
spare on a weekly, two weekly
or monthly basis? Volunteers
are needed to serve at Bexley
and Dartford Samaritans’ snack
bar in the Visitors Hall in
Belmarsh Prison.
The snack bar is a safe & secure
environment from which the
families and friends of inmates
are served. The proceeds from
sales help fund the activities of
the Samaritans thereby
insuring that those in distress
can contact Samaritans any
time, day or night.
Greenwich Peninsula Ecology
Park Weekend Urban Wildlife
Ranger
Volunteers are needed to meet
and greet park visitors, answer
visitor’s questions, help keep
the park and Gatehouse centre
tidy and safe, write up sightings
on the notice boards, help
monitor the wildlife in the park
and to undertake basic
practical and maintenance work
such as cutting back plants from
pathways, litter picking,
sweeping leaves from boardwalks,
etc. Volunteers must be
able to commit to at least 2 days
a month, which must be
Saturdays or Sundays, from
9.30am to 5pm or dusk in
winter.
Greenwich & Bexley
Community Hospice
Fundraising Intern
This is an excellent opportunity
to gain experience in a busy
fundraising team. This role will
be mainly supporting the
Community Fundraising Team
on two main projects. Firstly,
supporting the team to
develop and roll out a
community engagement plan
and secondly, supporting the
team with Challenge Event
marketing.
INTERESTED?
PLEASE CONTACT
VOLUNTEER CENTRE BEXLEY
ON 020 8304 0911
email: bexleyvc@bvsc.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT
January/February 2013
Monday 14th January
New Support Group for Abused
Women.
Complementary Cancer Care
Trust will be launching a new
support group for abused
women.
For more information please
contact CCC Trust
Tel: 01322 524079
Email:
enquiries@ccctrust.org.uk
Saturday 26th January
Danson Youth Centre Quiz
Night
Quiz night to raise money for
National Holiday Fund Charity
which sends children with
disabilities and special needs to
Florida U.S.A on a holiday of a
lifetime.
The cost is £5 per person to
enter with all entry money and
various raffles being
donated to the charity.
If you would like to put a team
together (max 6 per team)
please contact:
Danson Youth Centre.
Tel: 020 8303 6052 or email:
dansonyc@btconnect.com. For
more information on
National Holiday Fund visit:
www.nhfcharity.co.uk
Saturday 26th & Sun 27th Jan
Model Railway Exhibition
At the Business Academy Bexley,
Yarnton Way, Erith DA18
4DW
10am to 5pm Sat, 10am to 4pm
Sun. Adults £6 Children free.
Concessions £5 Family (2+2) £15.
www.erithmrs.ukmodelshops.
co.uk
Diary & Events
Tuesday 5th February
Children and Young People’s
Voluntary and Community Services
Network meeting
1.30-3.30pm in the Restaurant
Area of the Civic Centre, Bexleyheath.
Please confirm your
attendance to Mel Shepherd,
email: mshepherd@bvsc.co.uk.
Please let Becca know if there
are items you would like to see
on the agenda.
Monday 18th February
Holistic Workshop
Complementary Cancer Care
Trust (CCCT) are holding a free
Workshop for Obesity.
10am – 4pm
St Mary’s Church Hall, Manor
Road, Bexley Village, DA5 3LX
This free workshop is open to
men and women who would
like to discuss the potential
factors that influence their
weight. Statistics show that
obesity is rising and with it
brings health issues.
The workshop will focus on
helping those who are overweight,
particularly from the
social and psychological perspectives.
Workshop facilitators will include:
Bexley Health Trainers: Brenda
Cameron: Life Coaching: Complementary
Therapies: Healthy
Juicing Demonstration. Plus
refreshments and light lunch.
To book your place please
contact the Trust: 01322 524079
Email: enquiries@ccctrust.org.uk
Wednesday 27th February
Danson Baby Boot Fair
Danson Youth Centre,
Bexleyheath. To book a table
please email the centre:
dansonyc@btconnect .com
Programme to March 2013
Sidcup Literary and
Scientific Society (Founded
1880)
8 Jan Bird College,
Luis de Abreu and
Students
22 Jan Medicinal Plants,
Dr Henry Oakeley
12 Feb History of the Novel,
John Hazelgrove
26 Feb Millwall Incinerator,
Graham Duff
12 Mar Compiling a
Dictionary,
Alastair Wilson
26 Mar Great Estates,
Dr John Mercer
Meetings are held at the
Emmanuel Church Hall, Hadlow
Road, Sidcup, at 7.30pm.
Single Lecture Attendance:
£3.00, Annual subscription:
£15.00
Contact 020 8300 8647
19th February to 15th March
With Carers in Mind
Free admission. Venue:
Hall Place, Halcot Gallery,
Bourne Road, Bexley, DA5 1PQ.
An audio and visual exhibition
based on oral testimonies with
carers who care for individuals
experiencing mental distress
and dual diagnosis.
For more details, contact Mind
in Bexley Tel: 020 8303 5816
info@mindinbexley.org.uk
www.mindinbexley.org.uk
If you would like to submit an article or details of an event, please contact
BVSC (contact details on page 2 or by email to

SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON HOSPICE AMBASSADOR SCHEME
AWARDS FOR GREENWICH & BEXLEY COMMUNITY HOSPICE
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
The work of three volunteers, three staff members and two teams at Greenwich & Bexley Community
Hospice has been rewarded.
At the Hospice’s Annual Public Meeting in November, Senior
Managers and Trustees took the opportunity to thank and
celebrate the dedication of those who contribute to the successful
running of the Hospice in Abbey Wood, South East London.
Eight categories made up the annual Greenwich & Bexley
Community Hospice Staff & Volunteer Awards with all staff and
volunteers being given the opportunity to nominate each other.
The winning shortlist was reviewed by Penny Jones, Director of
Care Services, Vanessa Hill, Volunteers Manager, Dhrutee Shiyani,
Human Resources Manager and Kate Heaps, Chief Executive,
who said: “We really want to acknowledge what a difference
committed staff and volunteers make to the running of the
Hospice and the Hospice Ambassador award scheme is one of the
ways in which we do this.” The winners were:
STAFF AWARDS
Category for Innovation/Research: Katie Millward-Sproul, Ward Sister; Category for Service Improvement:
Vanessa Hill, Volunteers’ Manager; Category for Team Working: Specialist Community Team;
Category for Going the Extra Mile: Mandy Brinkhurst, Deputy Retail Manager
VOLUNTEER AWARDS
Category for Innovation/Service Improvement: Cafe & Kitchen Volunteers, Barbara Higgins, Mary
Harrison, Avtar Poonnia, Jasvir Heer, Val Honour, Eve Carter, June Merrett, Kathleen Tooher &
Margaret Poole; Category for Team Working: Paul Jones, Maintenance Volunteer;
Category for Outstanding Commitment: Dennis Waller, eBay Volunteer; Category for Volunteer’s
Volunteer: Judith Franklin, Reception Volunteer.
The winners took home an engraved
Silver Star key ring and gift voucher
as a small token of appreciation. For
more information about Greenwich &
Bexley Community Hospice visit:
www.communityhospice.org.uk .
Greenwich & Bexley Community
Hospice provides free expert end of
life nursing and medical care,
support, and comfort for local people,
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Photos: above: Paula Keets, Hospice
Trustee and Katie Milward-Sproul, Ward Sister.
Right: the Specialist Community Team.