Members of SI Bangor and District have donated three sewing machines, tools and a pair of crutches to the charity Tools for Self Reliance Cymru The items will be taken to Crickhowell where volunteers will check and refurbish them before being stored. Once enough items have been collected they will be transported to Tanzania for distribution. Then they will  be used to set up businesses which will generate work and an income in various communities. http://www.tfsrcymru.org.uk/

A few of our ladies visited Festival Number 6 after everyone had gone home to collect abandoned tents and food donations from vendors. The ladies only came away with one tent due to the muddy conditions but two carloads full of food and soft drinks. This was all then donated to the Homeless Shelter in Bangor where it was gratefully received. 

This year we are working with other local charities to provide support in the town for our homeless community. One of the aims has been to get together items for a Starter Pack for a Homeless person moving into their own accommodation.  Pictured are President Vicki and Sheena meeting with Centre for the Homelss staff to donate the first starter pack. This is just one of the things we do to make a difference in peoples lives.

      All ages are now benefiting from the school from the young to the adults, the photos show the latest visit to the school by the pupils of Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen Caernarfon in July 2012, the pupils re-painted the school inside and out, they constantly had company. Albert Mwansa, the founder of Itala School, Zambia – is unpacking the donated goods, from science equipment to chalk, all much needed. It is a project with which we have been involved for over 7 years, training a female teacher and providing books. We have worked mainly through a local school Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen,  who have provided substantial support in many forms and been involved in establishing the Itala Foundation, a registered charity, to help with the project. We were stunned to discover that 400 of the 1,000 pupils are orphans, mostly due to

  The Club supports the local Women’s Refuge in a variety of ways. By providing toiletries and clothing throughout the year. By providing xmas gifts for the mothers. Arranging parties and outings allowing an environment to enjoy some fun.

During relationship breakdowns, it is important the children maintain contact with both parents. A number of our members work as volunteers at a Relate Child Contact Centre, the centre is open twice a month.  Referrals are received from the Courts and local Solicitors, couples can also self refer for supervised contact during difficult periods often when the parents do not want to meet. The Centre is a stepping stone during troubled times, and a starting point to making independant arragements for contact in future. The volunteers provide an impartial, non confrontational environment for contact with the absent parent. A very rewarding service, with regular success stories of familes moving on to make their own arrangements. The picture shows a group of our members who recently completed update training.