Support for elderly

That was the question raised by manager Margaret Von Speyr at the AGM this week.

Funds are needed to complete improvement of the large room behind headquarters in Sackville Road so it can be used as a community asset.

"We are not a very attractive proposition for people to give money to," she told the meeting.

"I have applied on various occasions for grants...including the People's Lottery.

"But we have always been turned down. If you look and see who the winners are in the end it's not the elderly, because we are not a very attractive proposition. Which is sad, because we are all going to get to the stage where we might need an organisation like the Bexhill Caring Community.

"I don't really know where to go...how to get the message across to people that the elderly need funds just as much as children's playgrounds, or an environmental garden, or whatever it might be - and that is where the major funds seem to be going.

"But we will plough on."

Refurbishment has already started at the premises which became available to the charity last year but ground to a halt because of lack of finance. Work still to be done includes heating and re-wiring, dismantling office space, and installing disabled toilets.

Margaret made an appeal for an architect or surveyor to get involved with drawing up plans for the room.

"If there is anyone who might like to give their services for free I will be very pleased to talk to them. It will be a major thing."

She stressed that Bexhill Caring Community is always in need of people as well as donations, and asked for any volunteers to come forward to help out as much or as little as they want.

The AGM was chaired by Myrtle Bagnall and included an assessment of the year's activities at Bexhill Caring Community which gave help to over 4,000 residents.

Run by volunteers, the charity delivers a number of services including medical equipment loan, and the community car, dial-a-ride bus and home library services. The group receives no grants and relies on legacies and donations to carry out this vital work.

Margaret said: "Our main area of help is for people who want to remain in their own homes and with our help are able to do so. We get many referrals from the hospitals, surgeries, district nurses and a lot from relatives and friends. Many people also contact us direct."

"We have been in great demand and during the year had requests from almost 1,000 people for our caring, cleaning, shopping and gardening services.

"We hold a register of approximately 140 helpers who we match to the client and their needs. All helpers have been checked with the Criminal Record Bureau.

"There are many requests for help with applying for Attendance Allowance and/or Disability Living Allowance and with Myrtle's help we are able to visit the clients very quickly - assessing their needs at the same time. Over the past year we have visited well over 100 people."

The next event is a Strawberry Tea, at Grosvenor Park, which will be held on July 1. Tickets are on sale at 3.50 each - any donations for the raffle, bring and buy, and cake and plant stall will be most welcome."