Supporting the local community
Winchester Women’s Refuge: We are a trusted partner and come up as the online link to the Refuge, we act as a liaison hub for other supporters. We have representation on the Domestic Abuse Forum on Winchester City Council. We also provide welcome packs and organise an annual picnic in liaison with St Swithuns in the summer.
At Christmas we provide Christmas presents for the children to give to their mums.
Almost a quarter of users of Trinity are women. We have historically supported all users, here with “hot” and “cold” food bags. More recently we have returned to financial donations, especially in response to extreme weather conditions. One member, currently liaises closely with Trinity to assess need. Through Trinity information is also passed to us about the needs of the Night Shelter. We recently provided winter clothing to the women.
A hostel supporting vulnerable women This is a continuation of an established Southampton initiative, some needs are similar to the refuge, some needs complement it, for example items donated but not required by one may be needed by the other. In this instance donations and initiatives are exclusively for women.
WWR
International Projects
SI Winchester and District held its charity afternoon tea July, an annual event raising funds for Solar Aid. We were particularly pleased to welcome Richard Turner Fundraising Director of Solar Aid who had travelled a good distance to be with us. Richard acknowledged the years of consistent support the club has given the charity. In turn we expressed our appreciation of updates from the charity. We have seen solar light provision extend from individuals, to home and clinic lighting, to villages and projected now onto whole districts. Richard also demonstrated the solar light construction kits. More recently we have supported the Mayi Wala groups in Malawi handing management of Solar Aid finances through Lend with Care.
The arrangement with Kisumu (Kenya’s second city) goes back many years when we helped build a school. Over the years we have supported building further classrooms, a new kitchen, as well as sending items for use in class. We had a visit from members of the club after the Dublin Convention who we treated to the delights of Winchester and the then Mayor Angela Clear.
