News | Page 15 of 17

26 Aug

Say “Oink” for the Pig Racing

Members, volunteers and friends of Howlands had an entertaining night out at Shaw Cross Boys Club for an evening of Pig Racing.

Alan was a great M.C. whipping up enthusiasm for the races running on a big screen and keeping his audience of 85 well informed.

Meanwhile Andrew Young was a enjoying his role as a “Bookie” as everyone was eager to bet on their favourite porker.

We must give thanks to Jeanette and Natalie behind the bar and Cheryl assisted by Alan who kept the tasty pork pies on heat.

We are sincerely grateful to Shaw Cross Boys Club for allowing us to use their premises as the evening raised a remarkable £660 for Howlands.

Finally three cheers for Dawn Field our enthusiastic fundraiser for all her efforts.

Dawn has two more events in the pipeline so mark them on you calendar.

Saturday 1st October Dawn’s Dance & More ! @ The Victoria Function Room, Batley.

Friday 2nd December Christmas Quiz Night with Pie & Peas at Shaw Cross Boys Club

Tell all you friends! And if you would like to help at one of these events please get in touch.

In: News

22 Aug

Strawberry Tea Thanks

We’d just like to take the opportunity for making this month’s Strawberry Tea at Howlands a huge success.

As usual there was a lively atmosphere and much socialising helping everyone to really enjoy themselves. We were also very fortunate to have had help and support from Leanne Townend and Faye Huckle from Yorkshire Building Society who happily assisted us as part of their “Helping in the Community” Scheme.

One of our members Linda Thwaites, led a vote of thanks to the Staff and Volunteers for making it a wonderful afternoon – one again, thank you everyone.

In: News

23 Jun

Audrey rock and rolling as a volunteer at the Howlands.

Rock and Rolling Volunteer at Howlands

Showing us you are never too old to rock and roll is Audrey our 92 year old coffee morning volunteer at the Howlands.

During the Volunteering Kirklees volunteers week event a competition was launched to find the best picture from the week.

Audrey rock and rolling as a volunteer at the Howlands.

Audrey wasn’t shy at coming forward and fashioning the volunteering Kirklees mascot; VIV – Very Important Volunteer she borrowed the rock and roll outfit from our creative assistant, Paul, to create a great picture of how diverse our team is.

Vote for our picture here and share what a wonderful inspiration Audrey is.

In: News

13 Jun

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2016

Read this very nice letter from the The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Team commending our service. We didn’t win but we feel like winners. Thank you to everyone, we are incredibly proud to have been nominated.

“Dear Tom Ellis, Dewsbury and District League of Friendship

I am writing to inform you that Dewsbury and District League of Friendship was nominated for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2016. This award was created by The Queen in 2002 to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community.

The nomination of Dewsbury and District League of Friendship for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2016 represents a tremendous achievement for your organisation. Everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, should feel immensely proud of the recognition that a nomination for this Award represents.

The work your group does for the community was very much admired by the Independent Assessment Committee.

On behalf of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Team, please convey to your volunteers and other staff, our warm appreciation of the excellent work they do and of the enormous benefit it represents to the local community.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Team are pleased to recognise the value of your work and the significance of your nomination for this Award.

Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Team”

In: News

7 Jun

Howlands Receive Cash Boost From Council

Howlands receives a cash boost in the form of a donation of £285.00 from the Mayor’s Annual Charity Appeal.

Our chairman,Tom Ellis, was invited to Huddersfield Town Hall, with other charity representatives from around the district, to receive a cheque from former Kirklees Mayor Councillor Paul Kane.

Tom Ellis said “We are delighted to receive such a generous amount of money to help us purchase quality materials that will allow our members’ to continue to create art work during our craft sessions.

“Councillor Kane has been a great help to us during his mayoral year. He started by personally leading our relaunch a year ago. He has continued to give us help and advice throughout the year.

We are extremely pleased that he has been so thoughtful including us in his list of charities. “

In: News

17 May

New Woolcraft Group Dewsbury?

Is corking your thing? Crochet for fun? Like to chat as you tat? Join our new woolcraft group here in Dewsbury.

Does your tapestry work show off your style? Are you creative with wool?

If you like to be sociable and have ideas for designs you’d like to explore why not join our meeting, swap ideas, and meet others who share the same interests.

Join our Woolcraft group every Thursday morning from 9.30am – 12.30pm at the Howlands, School Street, Dewsbury.

Price per person per session is £2.50.

For further information please contact Becki on 01924 463693.

In: News

17 May

Charity Quiz Night Raises Funds For Howlands

Once again, Howlands’ Trustee and fundraiser, Dawn Field with the help of her husband, Michael, organised another successful event to raise funds for Howlands.

This was the Quiz Night held on the 22^nd April 2016 at Shawcross Boys Club which proved to be a very popular venue, judging by the seventy quizzers, who attended the event.

Included in the entrance fee was entry into the Draw with its many attractive prizes, and a very tasty pie and peas supper.

The Quiz was won by a team from the Whitfield Centre who generously donated their prize money back to Howlands.

Many thanks to Gary the quizmaster, Cheryl who organised the supper, and Dawn and Michael for all their hard work which raised in excess of £400 for Howlands. We all look forward to the next Quiz Night which has been promised soon!

In: News

21 Apr

Supportive services and activities at the Howlands.

Howlands Services on TV

The Dewsbury based Howlands recently featured on Kirklees Local TV to promote and reach out to the local community about its increased day services.

Watch the short programme here: Programme on Kirklees Local TV

Listen to our very own centre manager and enthusiastic service members explaining what it is that is good about the Howlands.

The Howlands has extended its opening hours to operate morning art sessions in addition to the afternoon classes already on offer.

Centre manager Deborah Hall says: “What a fabulous experience creating our very promotional programme. It’s enabled us to communicate further about our services, and how we can help those who don’t know about us.

Hopefully we will attract more members and continue to grow our support network to provide people who need it with a safe, friendly, and sociable environment.”

The Howlands is a supportive and friendly community for vulnerable adults in need of support services.

Kirklees Local TV is a Social Enterprise based in West Yorkshire. Since our launch in November 2011, we have explored and informed the community, providing topical and interactive web content and offering businesses, civic representatives and residents an opportunity to make known their viewpoints on a variety of subjects.

In: News

11 Apr

Tom Carr, who has recently turned 90 wearing his Croix De Guerre.

Howlands Member Celebrates 90th Birthday!

We’d just like to take this opportunity to congratulate, and pass on our best wishes, to Tom Carr who is celebrating his 90th birthday.

A dedicated member of the Howlands, Tom recently turned 90! We knew we’d get his age out of him eventually!

Tom Carr, who has recently turned 90 wearing his Croix De Guerre.

For many years Tom has battled all weather conditions on his electric scooter to be at the Howlands to socialise and make his speciality – wooden toys.

Unbelievably Tom just happened to mention he has just received the “Croix De Guerre” from the French Government. The medal was awarded to him for his role in the D-Day landings in 1944.

An amazing achievement, we are all very proud of him, a true hero.

In: News

4 Apr

Big Lottery Bid for the Community Buildings grant

Grant Win Secures Plan to Refurbish Building

Big Lottery Bid for the Community Buildings grant

We’re celebrating at the Howlands today. We’ve just received news we have secured a very generous grant of £50,000 from the Big Lottery Community Buildings fund to help us build our case and application for a grant to refurbish our wonderful building in the heart of Dewsbury.

The initial grant has three roles, it will help to employ an architect, develop a business plan, and hire a management consultant to help us look at improving how the Howlands is run and developed.

We are fortunate enough to be able to employ three local firms to help us. Horbury based architects, Acropolis Design, Cath Longley of Good Fundraising from Ossett is writing our business plan, and Lynda Swinden of Oyster Consultancy based in Flockton is providing the management consultancy, Chew PR of Wakefield is providing voluntary PR services and mentoring to help us with our PR and marketing communication.

We are very pleased with this team who are keen to work together to help us achieve our aims and help us to continue to build on a much needed service.

Every year the Big Lottery Fund distributes millions of pounds of the National Lottery’s good cause money to community groups and charitable projects around the UK. They are responsible for distributing 40 per cent of all the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery. In our 2014-15 financial year, we awarded more than £1 billion to projects with a social mission.

Based in Dewsbury, Howlands endeavours to promote the varied abilities of our local community.

In: News