Read this poem by Michael Pickles who has been a member at Howlands for several years.

We think it’s really rather special not to mention the wonderful drawing he has developed.

Once Common, Always Common

I’m going to stay here,
Right here.
Here where I am,
Sitting at the kitchen window ;
Determined, absolutely determined,
That I’m going to see a wren.

No much to ask for, is it ?
Surely not much at all ?
Not a Golden Eagle.
Not a Marabou Stork.
Not a Bird of Paradise.
Not an Andean Condor.
Just a Jenny Wren.

Just a Jenny Wren.
I used to see them all the time.
Common as muck they were,
Common as I am ;
Back in the Sixties.

I am still Common.

By Michael Pickles

Come along to Howlands and take part in activities, or just chat to likeminded people. You’ll be supported to follow your own interests, and the best bit, you’ll be in great company too.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW TRUSTEES!

Would you like to join us?

The Howlands (Dewsbury District League of Friendship), is a charity that supports vulnerable adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities and those with mental health issues, often worsened by loneliness and isolation. With the help of volunteers and carers, our staff provide daily sessions based around socialising, art, craft and other activities in a friendly, comfortable environment. Membership can be accessed by anyone provided that their needs can be supported. We currently have around 70 members, many of whom are lonely and isolated. Our members are often elderly and vulnerable, many have physical disabilities, dementia and other health challenges.

We are particularly interested in those looking for a new challenge with the following experience or skills:

• People with digital and marketing experience to help us make the most of technology where we can.
• People with local knowledge and connections in the Dewsbury and Kirklees area.
• People with experience of engaging in art, particularly in a community setting
• Legal experience

No previous Board experience is necessary. We are interested in hearing from people with a range of skills, not just those highlighted above. We are open to different ideas and fresh perspectives.

Board meetings generally last for around one hour quarterly, and you will be invited to attend additional events and sessions. For the foreseeable future all meetings are held via Zoom.

Are you interested?

To register your interest about joining the board, please contact Cath Longley, Chair of Trustees, tel: 07974703182, email: [email protected] for an informal chat. You will be invited as a visitor trustee to one of our meetings, to ensure that it’s the right role for you.

Registered Charity No: ___1184667__________

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue working with young people from the Princes Trust Dewsbury have transformed a neglected seating area at the side of the building in to an oasis of tranquility and beauty for members to enjoy.

The transformation from an overgrown wilderness to an urban haven in only four days was the result of a lot of hard work from the eight strong volunteer team who raised funds to pay for gardening tools, paint, compost and the plants required to complete this garden makeover.

The remarkable result is a cosy seating area with raised beds of herbs, vegetables and bee attracting plants for members to tend to and sit back and enjoy on a warm sunny day.

Deborah Hall, centre manager says: “What a fabulous job of renovating our not so useable area. Not only did they completely rework and fix the raised beds, they made this area of Howlands a place we all want to engage with and be in. It really is outstanding, we can’t thank them enough, we’re just pleased that we have been able to help them in their careers, and develop personal skills and qualities such as resilience and team work through this practical experience.”

Whilst motoring down Daisy Hill in the Centre of Dewsbury, Deborah, our manager noticed these ducks sheltering in

a car park.

With some help she rounded them up and took them into Howlands.

When the duck and her brood  had calmed down Deborah then took them to a local canalwhere they were seen happily paddling along and enjoying the sunshine.

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We would like to say a  BIG “Thank You” to all of you who helped us to raise a fantastic and huge £3566.00 for the Matchit campaign.

This means that through the kindness of One Community and their generous donors, the amount has turned into an amazing £ 7132.00

Words cannot describe how grateful we are.

We have been very fortunate to be part of this scheme, and because of that, we are able to keep our valuable community hub, Howlands, running.

Thank you!

Fundraising for Howlands

Become a Co-op Member. Join Co-op for £1 and choose Howlands as the cause to support in your community.

You can now make double the impact in your community. When you shop with the Coop they are doubling what goes to local causes and community organisations so it’s just that little bit easier to give a helping hand. Every 2p for every £1 spent will come back to Howlands

Match It fund.

We recently applied to One Community Foundations, Match It Fund. We were fortunate enough to be awarded match funding. That means that every £1 raised on line between November 1st 2020 – January 31st 2021 up to £3000 will be doubled. If we all get creative with our fundraising we could turn this into £6000!

You can donate on line at gofundme. We are listed as Dewsbury and Distict League of Friendship

Home Fundraising ideas

Why not arrange a time with a friend or relative for a phone coffee morning. The money that you would have spent on coffee and cake you could donate. Grab yourself a cuppa and have a natter.

Movie night in. What about dressing up a little and put on a good film and grabbing a snack. You could put the money to one side and help keep Howlands going.

You could always use your creativity to make something that you could ask for a donation in return for your handiwork.

We are hoping to get round to see you all in the next few weeks so if you would like to make a cash donation we will happily accept it.

Thank you for taking time to read this.

Our joint fundraising efforts will ensure that we can continue to provide the support we have been giving for nearly seventy years. It is really important that we make sure that we will get back together as soon as we can.