insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 166

CHARITY
CHARITY ROUNDUP cont.
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service
The Umbrella Centre – Canterbury
Open to anyone who needs an extra bit of support, and in particular
for those going through mental health issues, the Umbrella Centre is
a charity community centre that makes people feel welcome and at
ease. The aims of the centre are to provide a safe and stimulating
environment for those looking to recover, to support social inclusion
and to promote skills and independence.
www.canterburyumbrella.co.uk
Porchlight
Porchlight is a charity that aims to help and support those with housing
issues across Kent. It began 40 years ago with one hostel in Canterbury,
and is now able to support 4,000 people at one time. They offer a 24-
hour rough sleep helpline, community support, supported housing
and adolescent support services (for 10 to 18 year olds).
Porchlight has a number of innovative ways for you to donate. For
example, they send out a ‘Pennies for Porchlight’ box to local schools.
These house-shaped money boxes are filled with pennies, and then
sent back to Porchlight. They also organise a sponsored sleep out,
which not only raises money, but also gives vital insight into how rough
sleeps have to live every night.
www.porchlight.org.uk
Martha Trust
Martha Trusts is all about supporting people with profound physical
disabilities and multiple learning issues. Martha Trust works by
encouraging them to take a more active role in the world around them,
in whatever way they can. This is done by offering a variety of challenges
so that they really can meet their full potential. This might be sailing,
horse riding, or relaxing in the sensory room. Not only that, but Martha
Trust offers round the clock, high-quality, state-of-the-art nursing care.
www.marthatrust.org.uk
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Happy Endings Rescue
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service
Domestic abuse is a terrifying way to endure a relationship. It isn’t ‘just’
physical abuse, but can be psychological, sexual, financial, or emotional
abuse too. If someone is suffering, they need help – and Kent based
charity Oasis Domestic Abuse Service are there to do just that.
Donations go a long way: £2 gives a woman and her children a
loaf of bread and a pint of milk when they arrive at the refuge; £5 gives
a supply of toiletries to get them through their first week; £10 gives a
set of pyjamas and underwear for the children and women that arrive
with nothing; £15 gives essentials such as plates and pans for a homeless
family resettling from the refuge; £20 gives bed linen for a family who
are moving on to the next stage in their life; £30 provides an hour of
counselling for a child or mother to help deal with the pain of their
trauma.
www.oasisdaservice.org
Happy Endings Rescue
Based in both Faversham and Sevenoaks, although potentially able to
re-home animals further afield, Happy Endings Rescue is a non-destruct
shelter that cares for all manner of different animals, who are all waiting
for their forever homes. Animals include dogs, cats, rabbits, horses,
goats, donkeys and more. It all depends on who needs help at any one
time.
www.happyendingsrescue.org
Holding On Letting Go
Holding On Letting Go focuses on children who are bereaved. Since
the adults around them will also be grieving, they may not feel that
they are able to ask questions, or ask to be comforted. This can have a
detrimental affect on them well into adulthood. Holding On Letting Go
gives them someone to talk to, and ensures that their questions are
answered so that they can at least begin to understand what has
happened and why their lives have changed, as is so often the case.
Holding On Letting Go gives advice and guidance to the adults too, so
that they know how to help the children at home.
www.holdingonlettinggo.org.uk