Charities to be supported at the 2023 Living Advent Calendar
We will be fundraising for the following charities at different venues, on the dates given.
Click on the date to find out more.
Please follow links to their websites if you would like to find out more, or would like to donate.
Dorset Children’s Foundation
Fri 1 Dec in Saxon Square >
The Dorset Children’s Foundation is an independent local charity dedicated to improving the lives of disabled children living within our community. We provide mobility equipment, therapies and medical expenses not provided by The NHS. 100% of all donations go to a disabled child, with nothing taken out for admin or wages.
Julia’s House
Sat 2 Dec at The Priory, North Porch >
Julia’s House is not a typical children’s hospice. We provide practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, providing frequent and regular support in their own homes, in the community or at our hospices.
Ashley’s Birthday Bank
Sun 3 Dec at The Boat House >
Ashley’s Birthday Bank was set up at the end of 2014 and registered as a charity in April 2015. We provide two types of services: Firstly we provide underprivileged children (up to the age of 16) with a birthday and Christmas present to ensure they do not go without on these special occasions. Secondly we provide a crisis service for families who find themselves going through a financially difficult time or who have escaped domestic violence, neglect, human trafficking or abuse. http://www.ashleysbirthdaybank.com/
The Water Lily Project
Mon 4 Dec at Chicken & Blues >
The Water Lily Project is a registered Christian charity that predominantly supports vulnerable women in crisis. This may be a temporary crisis such as an acrimonious divorce, bereavement, illness etc. Or it could be something more long term such as mental health issues, self-harming, domestic violence and abuse, addiction or financial difficulties. https://waterlilyproject.org.uk
Christchurch and District Branch of Parkinson’s UK
Tue 5 Dec at Christchurch Library >
The Christchurch Branch of Parkinson’s UK came into being over forty years ago. We meet on the 4th Monday of each month and provide a full social program throughout the year with a guest speaker, tea and cake and social interaction. We have an Outing, a Summer party, and a Christmas Lunch and 4 Holidays have been enjoyed. We also provide weekly Tai Chi classes whom our members say are very beneficial. https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
The Regent
Weds 6 Dec at The Regent Centre >
The Regent provides a professionally run venue for the performance of theatre, music and film for Christchurch and surrounding areas. The development and expansion of the venue is achieved by fund raising and grant applications. https://www.regentcentre.co.uk/
Room to Reward
Thur 7 Dec at The Thomas Tripp >
Room to Reward is a unique charity created to give something back and say ‘thank you’ tovolunteers who give up their time and make a difference to those in need. Up and down the country, there are so many people helping, caring and loving others. Our simple initiative takes a wasted asset and uses it to recognise these Hidden Heroes.
Room to Reward partners with hotels across the U.K who donate their anticipated unsold rooms. Charities and community groups then nominate their Hidden Heroes for a well-earned short break. Over 750 hotels throughout the U.K. have joined the initiative. Collectively, they have donated in excess of £750,000 worth of breaks in unsold rooms to more than 2000 inspirational volunteers from over 750 charities and community groups.
Together, we’re making a little bit of a difference to those who make a difference to others.
Macmillan Caring Locally
Fri 8 Dec in Saxon Square >
The Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital is a Specialist Palliative Care Unit and Hospice for patients in South East Dorset and South West Hampshire. The charity, Macmillan Caring Locally, works in partnership with the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to provide the services at the Macmillan Unit and in our community. https://www.macmillanlocal.org
Prama Life
Sat 9 Dec at The Baptist Church >
PramaLife have developed 60+ Clubs, Groups and Activities for Older People across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset. As well as providing unique services for people living with Dementia and their family Carers.
Our aim is to help older people in Dorset to create links with the local community through our range of community services including pop-in, special interest and dementia clubs. We support and enable people to maintain their dignity and choose how they live as they age. We offer catered support to local Carers who are seeking advice and possibly signposting.
Marie Curie Fundraising: Christchurch & Highcliffe
Sun 10 Dec at Ye Olde George Inn >
The UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie is here to support everyone in the UK through all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. Last year in Dorset, our team of 78 staff delivered over 57,000 hours of specialist care to 1,730 patients in their own homes, allowing families to get a much-needed rest and enabling them to be more than just a carer. To be a husband, wife, partner, daughter, son or friend, again.
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/local/groups/christchurch-and-highcliffe-fundraising-group
The Food Bank Christchurch
Mon 11 Dec at Saxon Square >
Christchurch (UK) Food Bank provides 3 days worth of emergency food to individuals and families struggling or in crisis within our local community. CFB is a Christchurch Fellowship of Churches Initiative in partnership with Faithworks Wessex.
The Listening Ear
Tue 12 Dec at The Captain’s Club >
The Listening Ear provides one to one counselling within school settings to children and young people aged 5-19 residing in and/or attending school in the BCP Council area. We support children and young people with a range of issues including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, adverse childhood experiences, anger management, trauma, alcohol & drug misuse, and abuse. We provide a confidential and safe space where they can express their feelings, explore the impact of their choices, and learn techniques to help manage their emotional and mental wellbeing.
Autism Unlimited
Weds 13 Dec at The King’s Arms Pavilion >
Autism Unlimited exists to support and empower autistic children, adults and their families. We partner with them to find solutions and provide educational and life skills training. From bespoke education for children, to independent living skills and career guidance for adults, we ensure that everyone who comes to us for support finds a route to their goals and to a rich and fulfilled life.
We believe in a world of unlimited possibilities for people living with autism.
My Time Young Carers
Thurs 14 Dec at The Boathouse >
MYTIME Young Carers is fighting to level the playing field for young carers. Young carers have been hidden in society for too long, with the vast majority juggling a huge amount of responsibility unsupported. At MYTIME we recognise and celebrate the incredible young people who do so much to support those that they care for. We believe that young carers should have access to the support, the friendships, and the opportunities every child deserves.
Somerford ARC
Fri 15 Dec at Venue TBC >
Somerford ARC is a community centre that aims to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being and quality of life of people in the Christchurch area, especially the residents of Somerford.
Our greatest aspiration is to cultivate community spirit and bring our residents together. We pride ourselves in providing support and giving our community a voice.
With a strong network of Trustees, Staff and Volunteers, between us we are continuously working to expand our services to improve our environment and to keep us at the heart of the Community. We are a universal point of access for residents of Somerford and wider Christchurch, we respond to a range of issues and opportunities, so it is vital that we are up to date and understand any changes in our local town and the impacts these may have within the community.
Christchurch and Bournemouth RNLI
Sat 16 Dec at The Red House Museum >
Christchurch and Bournemouth RNLI: raising funds for the training and equipment of the RNLI Lifeguards on the beautiful beaches around our bay. There have been lifeguards on Bournemouth beaches since 1965; they have been recruited, managed, trained and equipped by the RNLI for nearly 20 years. To support them, go to:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-christchurch-bournemouth-2023
Elevate Foundation
Sun 17 Dec at Mad4Dance Studio, Bargates >
Helping Young Minds is a children’s mental health charity which was rebranded as Elevate Foundation earlier this year. Elevate Foundation, which is based in Christchurch, has a vision to equip every young mind with the skills & confidence to conquer life’s challenges. Their objective is to give young people the tools, skills and confidence through a variety of activities, courses and counselling to build their resilience and overall mental wellbeing.
Hengistbury Head National Coastguard Institution
Mon 18 Dec at Ye Olde George Inn >
Watchkeepers are “eyes along the coast” for HM Coastguard. NCI Working for you. We maintain a watch from Barton-on-Sea in the east, through Christchurch and Poole Bays, and 12 miles out to sea round to Bournemouth pier in the west. The Headland is 36 metres (118) feet high and separates Christchurch bay from Poole Bay.
Christchurch Community Partnership
Tue 19 Dec at Loch & Quay >
The CCP exists to combat social isolation across the age demographic in our community of Christchurch. We do this in two ways – by directly delivering services, and by influencing other organisations and agencies to work collaboratively to identify and fill any gaps, and to avoid duplication of services.
Also including Christchurch Angels: We are an award-winning voluntary befriending service for residents in the Christchurch area who need short-term help in times of difficulty or crisis.
https://www.christchurchcommunitypartnership.org.uk/angels.html
Bournemouth Blind Society
Wed 20 Dec at Druitt Hall >
Bournemouth Blind Society was founded in 1911. We continue with the same passion as our founders to try to find new and creative ways to help our members retain their independence.
Bournemouth Blind Society is an independent, local charity. We are not affiliated with any other group or charity. We receive a small grant from the Local Authority towards the costs of running our Resource Centre and Community Support service, otherwise we are self-financing, relying on donations, fund-raising activities and legacies to meet our costs.
Find out more about us by visiting the Bournemouth Blind Society Website
Christchurch Cancer Research
Thurs 21 Dec at The Thomas Tripp >
You can be confident that all money raised by Cancer Research UK will be spent wisely as 80p out of every £1 donated goes directly towards the life-saving work of preventing and curing all cancers. The remaining 20p is reinvested in fundraising where we get back £4 for every £1 we spend. With over 200 different types of cancer the research to find successful outcomes for people with cancer is vital. Compared with 40 years ago, cancer survival rates have doubled, and our work has been at the heart of that progress.
For 2022 and 2023 Christchurch Fundraising Group have nominated our Regional Research Centre in Southampton to receive all money donated through our fundraising. Find out more:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/our-research/our-research-near-you/our-research-in-southampton
Your support is helping us raise lifesaving funds to beat cancer. Thank you.
Friends of the Red House Museum
Fri 22 Dec at Ye Olde George Inn >
The Friends of the Red House Museum was established in 1951 by a group of people who wanted to play an active part in the life of their museum. We play a vital role in raising funds for The Red House Museum, to support the ongoing care of the museum’s historic gardens and the enrichment to people’s lives through access to the local heritage. Over the years interest in the Friends has grown and it has become a vibrant organisation. The Friends also play an essential part in the Red House Museum by volunteering to work in the garden and in other areas of the museum, such as documentation, transcribing and oral history recording.
https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/red-house-museum-and-gardens
Lewis Manning Hospice
Sat 23 Dec at Ye Olde George Inn
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is a charity established 28 years ago, providing extraordinary care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness across Poole, Purbeck, East Dorset. We offer a range of free hospice care services aimed at helping people to live well through their illness, closer to home. These include: Day hospice, Creative arts & wellbeing support, Lymphoedema clinic for cancer patients, Better breathing clinic, Family bereavement & support
Every year we support nearly 500 local people and we develop new services, based on patient need and identified gaps in the area. To do this we need to raise over £1.6m every year. Without these funds we could not exist. Our important work increases people’s physical and social well-being, reduces isolation and loneliness, supports people to stay in their homes longer, and alleviates the huge pressures on family and carers.
Rotary Club of Christchurch Charities
Sun 24 Dec at 2pm in Saxon Square
ShelterBox
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity established in 2000 in Helston, Cornwall, UK, that provides emergency shelter and other aid items to families around the world who have lost their homes to disaster or conflict.
Cystic Fibrosis
We provide information and support to help everyone with CF to live life to the full.
Community Soup Kitchen – Fri 10th Dec
We are a registered charity based in Christchurch providing hot nutritious food, clothing and other much needed essentials to the homeless and the vulnerable in our local community. We also support, help and signpost to other relevant agencies.
Somerford Youth and Community Centre – Weds 15th Dec
Somerford Youth and Community Centre provides services and activities to local people with a focus on those who are disadvantaged and deprived. A lot of our work focuses on providing activities for young people to help them improve their confidence and self-esteem and to enable them to develop key life skills by creating opportunities to enable them to have positive futures in life. We also run projects for all age groups such as our community gym and our community food project, The People’s Pantry which is a membership scheme that provides families who experience food poverty with weekly food which they can come and choose for themselves.
Dorset Community Foundation
In this last year we have awarded more than £1.2 million in grants to charities, groups and individuals across the county. Our donors and funders trust us to use their money where it can make the most impact because our expertise and knowledge of where the need exists in Dorset is unrivalled.
Because we are not cause specific, we can consider funding any area of disadvantage as long as it is Dorset-based. To find out more about us, how to donate and the grants we have available, see:
Alzheimers
Sat 10th Dec at The Baptist Church >
We campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today. Our wide range of support services ensures nobody should have to face dementia alone. We will fight for a future where nobody affected by dementia is excluded from their community or denied the care or support they deserve.
Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain. This means, through research, we will beat it.
Bournemouth Blind Society – Thurs 23rd Dec
Believed to be Bournemouth’s oldest independent charity, Bournemouth Blind Society works across the BCP area supporting blind and partially sighted to lead active and independent lives. We do this by providing the following services: Emotional Support, Community Support, Sight & Hearing Resource Centre, Befriending and Social Groups.
Friends of Christchurch Priory
Fri 2nd Dec at The Priory >
The Friends of the Priory Church Christchurch was formed in 1964 by a small number of local church members. It has now grown to include many people from all around this country and the wider world who wish to maintain a link with this historic and beautiful church. The Society was granted Charitable Status in 1997 and aims to assist in the repair, conservation and improvement of the fabric, to support activities to preserve and beautify the church and to make gifts to benefit it. Friends of Christchurch Priory
Community Support Cabin
We are a registered charity based in Christchurch providing hot nutritious food, clothing and other much needed essentials to the homeless and the vulnerable in our local community. We also support, help and signpost to other relevant agencies.
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity
Weds 21st Dec at the Conservative Club >
Established to make a difference to every patient and every condition that is treated at our hospitals and provide added value to provisions made though NHS funding. By working with the community and businesses we help provide a better environment, extra equipment and training to help improve the health and wellbeing of both our patients and our staff.
British Heart Foundation
Sat 17th Dec at The Arcado Lounge >
British Heart Foundation: More than half of us will get a heart and circulatory condition and your support means that we can fund more life saving research to keep hearts beating longer. We are celebrating our 60th anniversary this year.