The charities have been shortlisted, the online poll is open, and you can now vote for the local charity closest to your heart at www.lifesgreatcauses.co.uk. The top three charities as voted for by you will win a share of the fund money.
We wanted to take this wonderful opportunity to introduce you to some of this year’s shortlisted charities:
Youth Talk
Youth Talk is a local charity that provides free, confidential counselling to 13-25 years in St Albans and the surrounding areas.
Since 1997, thousands of young people have turned to Youth Talk for help and the pandemic has brought into sharp focus how much the mental wellbeing of the younger generation has been affected during these difficult times. Youth Talk’s mission is to ensure that every young person can talk to someone who can help with whatever is worrying them.
Youth Talk’s Chief Executive David Barker speaks more about the care Youth Talk provides and what your vote means to them here.
Herts Inclusive Theatre
Herts Inclusive Theatre is a charity offering children, young people and adults, many of whom have learning and physical disabilities, the opportunity to participate in drama, dance and music in an inclusive and safe environment.
Many of HIT participants can feel alienated from mainstream activities and joining HIT creates an opportunity and a platform for self-expression, building confidence and making friends. Now in its 19th year, HIT works with over 800 children and young people a year offering a vibrant programme of theatre activities, creative projects and exciting performance opportunities.
Listen to HIT’s Director Caroline Stevens talk about the charity and why they’re so pleased to be a part of the For Life’s Great Causes campaign here.
JOCA (Just One Click Away)
JOCA’s mission is to create a better understanding of and to de-stigmatise mental health and mental well-being amongst the men, women and children players and members of Welwyn Rugby Club.
Following the tragic loss of three young playing members at Welwyn Rugby Club through suicide, a few like-minded club members felt they had a social responsibility to offer support, guidance and a friendly ear in a time of need and so JOCA was born. Today, JOCA are dedicated to promoting and ensuring pastoral care and general well-being for all members of the club.
You can watch a fantastic video about JOCA and their campaign for mental health awareness here.
The Hygiene Bank
It is simply not right that feeling clean should be a luxury or a privilege for anyone in our society, yet many are living in poverty and cannot afford to stay clean. That is why The Hygiene Bank’s network of projects exists – to give people access to the basics they need.
The Hygiene Bank is a people-powered charity and social movement, grounded in community. They work to fight the injustice that people may be unable to fully participate in society due to hygiene poverty and they are working hard to inspire social change.
Find out more about The Hygiene Bank’s inspiring work here.
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS): providing a free life-saving service for Essex, Herts and surrounding areas. Specialist Pre-Hospital Care Doctors and Critical Care Paramedics can be rushed to the scene of an incident with life-saving support equipment and the patient, following assessment, will be flown to an appropriate hospital.
It costs in the region of £750,000 per month to keep both helicopters flying and cover all charitable costs. It is thanks to the generous people of Essex and Hertfordshire that EHAAT can ensure that the service continues to fly into the future.
One of the fantastic EHAAT doctor’s talks about the work the charity does and what being shortlisted in the For Life’s Great Causes campaign means to them here.
Isabel Hospice
Isabel Hospice has been providing free palliative care to its patients and their families since 1982. They provide support and care to people in eastern Hertfordshire who are affected by life-limiting illnesses through their Hospice at Home, In-Patient Unit, Community Team, Living Well with Isabel programme and their Family and Bereavement support service.
Isabel Hospice’s clinical teams work closely with other healthcare providers in the area, including care homes, hospitals and GP surgeries, improving access to their services and sharing their knowledge and expertise.
All of these services are free of charge to those who need them, but they are not without cost, meaning the charity must raise £7 million every year to guarantee the future of their care.
Find out more here: www.isabelhospice.org.uk.
Appledown Rescue Kennels
Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels have been taking in stray dogs from many parts of the local area since 1999. Their aim is to find each and every one of their dogs a new forever home where they can feel loved and secure, often for the first time in their life.
Although a small organisation, at any one time Appledown can have 50 dogs staying with them which means that if you are looking for a dog, they will almost certainly have something to suit you, your family and your circumstances.
Appledown Rescue Kennels never put a dog to sleep unless for medical or psychological reasons, which means that any dog they deem suitable for adoption has a home at Appledown for as long as it takes for the right new owner to find them.
Find out more here: www.appledownrescue.co.uk.
Please show your support for these wonderful local causes and submit your vote today!
Find out more the For Life’s Great Causes campaign and this year’s Charity Calendar at www.lifesgreatcauses.co.uk or email greatcauses@ashtons.co.uk.