Fibromyalgia Palm Challenge

I'm challenging all of you to get involved in this. There's so many challenges that go around on Facebook that require you to do something difficult or spend money but this one does neither. It just wants you to write something that you've learnt about Fibromyalgia on your palm and then share with at least five tagged friends or pages.

Be energy savvy

Be energy savvy as the winter weeks get well underway.

As the winter months creep up and the dark nights make their appearance, The Haven Wolverhampton is advising people to get energy savvy and not to get caught in the fuel-poverty trap.

Since June 2013, The Haven Wolverhampton has been running a Fuel Poverty Project due to support from the Scottish Power Energy People Trust, that has seen some of the most vulnerable people across Wolverhampton receive help.  Women who have experienced domestic violence and financial abuse have been supported through the charity’s services and a Fuel Poverty Development Officer.

Women who have experienced Domestic Violence and have fallen into the poverty trap are advised by the Fuel Poverty Officer as well as given guidance and access to services around; understanding utility plans and bills, budgeting and planning as well as receiving assistance with grant relief to reduce fuel debt.  Preventative measures are also put in place with the worker advising on energy saving tips and appropriate insulation schemes.  The key aims of this project are to help women develop their knowledge, have the confidence and ability to manage fuel as well as budget for future financial independence.

Interim reports indicate that The Haven has so far supported over 140 women and their children who had been referred to its services and managed by the charity’s Fuel Poverty Development Officer.

This project will run until May 2015

Where to meet Father Christmas in Wolverhampton, Sandwell & Dudley - 2014

Merry Hill Shopping Centre - Christmas Grotto & Elf School

Santa has an elf shortage and needs more elves to help him this Christmas. Enrol at elf school at the centre where you will learn an elf chant and go through a complete elf makeover. All fully-fledged elves will get to meet Santa and visit Santa's new toy shop as well as choose their very own present to take home with them. 

Until December 24, from 10 am - closing times vary 
see http://intu.co.uk/merryhill/events/christmas-grotto-elf-school

Address: 

Lower Mall opposite Debenhams,

Merry Hill Centre,  

Brierley Hill 

DY5 1QX

Price: £6 per child

Dudley Zoological Gardens - Santa's Grotto

Families can visit Santa in his Winter Wonderland Christmas Castle at Dudley Zoo. There’s also a train ride, surprise gift and Christmas show. Your Santa visit includes a glow-in-the-dark puppet show lasting 20 mins (for all ages). Must be prebooked at least 24 hours in advance.

Dates: 

Tue 2 - Fri 12 Dec 10 am - 2.30 pm (last admission 1.30 pm)

Sat 13 - Weds 24 Dec 10 am - 3.30 pm (last admission 2.30 pm)

Address: 

Castle Hill,

Dudley,

West Midlands

DY1 4QF

Price: 

Child £9.75,

child under 1yrs £4.25 (with Santa gift),

child under 1yrs £2 (no gift),

adult £6.75,

family ticket £29

http://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/events-and-experiences/santas-grotto

Oak House Museum, West Bromwich

Drop in and see Santa in his grotto and get a small present and have a go at our children's Christmas crafts activities and trail. £2.50 to see Santa, entry to the house is free. Craft activity costs vary. No need to book, just drop in.

Dates & times:
2 Dec 3:30pm-6pm;
9 & 10 Dec 3.30pm - 5.30pm

Address: 

Oak House Museum,

Oak Road,

West Bromwich 

B70 8HJ 

0121 553 0759

http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/info/200252/museums_libraries_and_archives/2777/events_at_sandwell_museums
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/info/200265/museums_and_art_gallery/8/oak_house

Sandwell Park Farm

Sandwell Park Farm is the perfect place to begin the Christmas season!
For a magical Victorian Christmas, a chance to meet Santa, stock up on presents – and even buy your tree! Visit Santa's grotto every weekend from 29 Nov until 21 Dec. No need to book.

Address:

Sandwell Park Farm,

Salters Lane,

West Bromwich

B71 4BG.

0121 553 0220

http://www.raring2go.co.uk/whats-on/event/49779-santa-at-sandwell-park-farm
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/sandwellvalley

Do you know a grotto we've missed? Let us know and we'll add it to the list.

1914 Local News - The Blue Orange Theatre

Performed by Tell Tale Theatre

Rating *****

A very well executed minimalist production mixing truth and fictionalised stories from the Midlands and the Front Line this day 1914. Combining quotes from newspaper reports from "this day" meaning each show is unique.

The story loosely follows several different stories showing how people are affected in all walks of life.

We see a 35 year old self employed builder who is too old to conscript despite wanting to until the Army becomes desperate enough to change its requirements. He gives us a glimpse of Midlands war life.

The lives of women left behind and the "white feather" campaign where men who weren't fighting were given white feathers as a symbol of their "cowardice". We see this through one of the main ringleaders, poet and Daily Mail contributor Jessie Pope.

We also follow Lady Dorothie Feilding who having shunned her aristocratic background is working as a stretcher bearer, driving her own limousine converted into an ambulance as her chauffeur is too scared to drive for her.

We see Indian soldiers struggling with England's weather, horrid tea and ham and beef sandwiches whilst training in the trenches dug into the estates of aristocrat's manors.

The plight of aliens who were patriotic to Britain but treated like the enemy is also explored, including the Mayor of Coventry Siegfried Bettmann and his British wife, Annie, and some poor unfortunates shot dead in an internment camp.

All the scenes were interspersed with news and sports reports and adverts that were taken from local newspapers of the day.

The audience were given plenty of chance to participate as the intimate matinée performance we attended meant that all of the audience with given chance to get involved. We were given training with Annie Bettman in first aid and other skills. Several men were taken to war and we all waved them off on the train. We all stood for a moments silence to remember the pigeons who died in battle.

Three very skilful actors brought all these characters to life, with the two men and one woman cast all swapping sex, accent and nationality. The female actor even swapped between two characters of different sexes in the same scene - something she has also done in a previous performance of Macbeth at the same theatre.

Charity benefits from exclusive match funding

Charity benefits from exclusive match funding

The Haven Wolverhampton is excited to announce that all donations made to the charity between 4 and 6 December on The Big Give website will be matched.

The Haven Wolverhampton is one of twenty charities selected by the Garfield Weston Foundation to have all of its donations matched during the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

This will run from 10am on Thursday 4th December and will run until Saturday 6th 2014. The challenge will open at 10.00 am each day and will remain open for a limited time until funds for that day run out.

Only donations made through The Big Give site will be matched meaning if you donate £10, the money will be matched and the charity will end up with £20 at no extra cost to the donor. All donations must be processed on-line by visiting http://goo.gl/wbGqto

People donating to The Haven Wolverhampton can select which area they would like to donate funds to out of four carefully selected projects running at The Haven:

Children & Young People’s ServicesOur Children & Young People’s Services Team offer a range of support services for the children that come into our refuges. Therapeutic play, workshops, one-to-one sessions and group therapy sessions are carried out according to the needs of each child.

Emergency FundOur ‘Emergency Fund’ allocates small grants to families most in need, who can’t secure funds from elsewhere, for essential everyday items such as white goods, bedding and food vouchers. A grant can make a real difference to women and children wishing to start a new life away from fear and abuse.

The Haven Hub
Our capital appeal will help us create a central base for activities and a place for service users to re-gain confidence. The Hub will play host to educational workshops, recreational activities, and therapies to support a positive wellbeing.

Supporting victims of domestic abuse
The Haven offers a variety of services tailored to the needs of our service-users improving well-being, developing skills and ultimately supporting them to gain independence. Raising funds to support our core functions is essential. Just £2 pays for a call to our helpline whilst £50 could pay for two play therapy sessions for a child, £100 could pay for an independent advisor to provide specialist advice and £250 could furnish a room in refuge.

The Haven Christmas Toy Appeal

Charity asks local people to help spread Christmas Cheer to 

Women and Children affected by Domestic Violence.

The Haven Wolverhampton launches its annual Christmas Appeal to put a smile on the faces of those children living in its refuges.

For over forty years, The Haven Wolverhampton has been supporting women and children who have experienced Domestic Violence and Abuse.  During the Christmas period, there are often up to 100 homeless and traumatised children in Haven refuges.  Whilst this time of year is meant to be special, unfortunately for these children it is an emotional and traumatic time where they have had to leave their home to find a place of peace and safety.  With a little help from you, your family, colleagues and friends we can help make Christmas a special time, one that they remember and help them build new memories.  Schools, colleges, community and church groups and corporate organisations can all get involved.                                             

This year, we are asking you to make a special effort as our charity struggles with huge cuts in funding. The Haven’s annual toy appeal run from Monday 1st December - Friday 19th December.  People are being asked to buy an extra toy for children who have experienced the effects of domestic violence, homelessness or abuse. Cash donations are also welcomed as these assist with taking children to pantomimes and shows over the festive period.  Alternatively people can donate on-line through www.bit.ly/thehavenwishlist or www.bit.ly/thehavenbiggive.  

Commenting on The Haven’s Christmas Appeal, Hayley Edwards, Marketing and Publicity Officer said “Being in refuge during Christmas is a difficult and traumatic time for children.  We are very grateful for the support we receive through donations from the community and with these we aim to make it more of an enjoyable experience by allowing the children the same opportunities as others, to have fun and enjoy the festive period. We hope people in and around Wolverhampton will be as generous as they have been in previous years. Even a small donation could help to make Christmas that bit brighter for these children.”

   

If you would like to donate please call Laura/Charlie/Jade on 01902 572126.

Alternatively drop into 103 Salop Street between 9am and 3.30pm    

The Haven Christmas Charity Event

The Haven Wolverhampton receives support from local Christmas Inspired Event.

Wolverhampton based domestic violence and abuse charity, The Haven Wolverhampton is pleased to announce that it will benefit from the support of a Christmastime event organised and hosted by Wolverhampton based WV Inspired and sponsored by local Solicitors firm, FBC Manby Bowdler and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

The event, for which tickets are FREE, is taking place on Wednesday 3rd December in the WV1 Restaurant and Bar at The Molineux Stadium from 5pm-8.30pm.  

There will be lots of activities taking place throughout the evening.  Exhibitors including hair, beauty, professional services and luxury gifts along with a range of therapists will be on hand to offer taster pamper sessions including massage, facials, reflexology and Reiki.  Clarins experts from Nicholas Davis Hair & Beauty will share tips on winter day to night make up trends, while Style Your Soul image consultant Sue Horne will be presenting and motivator Liz Keaney will speak about ‘How to be a Warrior Woman’.  A charity raffle and silent auction will also be taking place on the evening and a festive V.I.P. will be on hand to give the first 150 women to attend a free pamper goody bag.

With so much on offer why not take advantage of this special evening – take the opportunity to make it a night out and make some important Christmas purchases for your family and friends.

Senior Fundraising & Grants Officer, Laura Blackham, said “The Haven is delighted to be part of such a fabulous event and we are honoured that we have been selected to be the chosen charity to receive the proceeds from what promises to be a great night”.

Organiser Charlotte Clode, Associate Solicitor at FBC Manby Bowdler, added “The Haven Christmas Gift Appeal 2014 is a great cause and the money we raise will go towards buying gifts and toys to give children, who are in Haven refuges as a result of domestic abuse, a brighter Christmas. As we gear up for the busy Christmas season, we thought women would appreciate an event where they can relax over some Christmas gift shopping and be pampered for a couple of hours – all the time helping to generate important funds for a very worthwhile local charity.”

For those wishing to attend the evening please note that tickets should be booked in advance by going to www.charitypamperevening.eventbrite.co.uk

For any women wishing to exhibit on the evening booking forms can be obtained from Charlotte Clode at FBC Manby Bowdler by emailing C.Clode@fbcmb.co.uk.