Early in the New year Torrs Hydro will be discussing the next round of Community funding, this is where we review requests for funding from local groups - whilst we currently have a few requests to review we would like to see more, so if you are part of a local group that would benefit from some additional funding please email sean@torrshydro.org explaining what you would do with the funding and how your group/activity benefits our community.
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| Torrs Hydro Director Sean Whewell handing over much needed funding to Ed Mountifield at New Mills Volunteer Centre |
Earlier today Torrs Hydro were able to give the New Mills Volunteer Centre £100 to help them maintain the fantastic service they provide to New Mills and the surrounding area
New Mills and District Volunteer Centre has been successfully
operating since 1983. The organisation was originally registered as a charity
in August 1985 and became a Company by guarantee in February 2003. We directly
promote the welfare and community involvement of people who have needs arising
from being elderly, disabled, physically or mentally ill, house-bound,
isolated, visually or hearing impaired, or from learning difficulties. This is
accomplished through the actions of our 130 volunteers. New Mills is a
semi-rural area and social isolation is a major problem.
The services we
provide, and the social groups we run, are predominantly aimed at older people,
although not exclusively so. Our transport scheme is for local residents who
have difficulty attending hospital or doctor's appointments. They are
accompanied door-to-door by a volunteer driver. We undertook almost 4000 trips
this year and have over 900 clients. Our shopping service - where volunteers
collect a shopping list and deliver groceries to the client’s home – is also
aimed at those who are unable to shop for themselves due to age or infirmity.
We deliver shopping to clients about 500 times a year and need to expand this
service to meet demand.
These are
essential services in helping local people retain an independent life in their
own homes. Our weekly shopping trips to local towns and markets are also
for the elderly and infirm. The minibus we hire picks up clients at their home
and is equipped to take 16 passengers which can include four wheelchairs.
Again, volunteers act as escorts door-to-door.
Volunteers are integral for our befriending, gardening and simple DIY
repair services we provide. One of the most important aspects of the centre is
to get socially isolated people back into the community by using our existing
social groups to create new friendships - '60 Not Out', stroke support group,
handicraft group and Hayfield Over 60s give clients a support network and the
opportunity to form friendships with their peers.
