Aylsham Quakers Newsletter

2012

January's Special Collection

The Benjamin Foundation (Benjamin's Building)
(sponsor: Felicity Cox)

From The Benjamin Foundation website:

"The Benjamin Foundation was founded in 1994 and exists to help people in Norfolk deal with many of the challenges that life throws at them; whether ‘everyday' issues such as childcare or heartbreaking problems like abuse and homelessness.

... we provide a range of practical services and support which all aim to empower people and give them back a sense of hope and control."

Also read about theBenjamin Foundation eco building project - Benjamin's Building Company Ltd


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February's Special Collection

British Shalom Salaam Trust
(sponsor: Criss Sandom)

"The British Shalom-Salaam Trust (BSST) is a Jewish grant-giving initiative created in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

BSST supports projects both within Israel's 1967 borders (the ‘Green Line') and the Occupied Territories. We work closely with Palestinians and Israeli Jews committed to a just resolution of the conflict in Israel/Palestine based on equality and mutual respect." (from BSST website)

 

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March's Special Collection

Surviving Together
(sponsor: Annie Blunsden)

From the Surviving Together website:

"SURVIVING TOGETHER is a self-help support group for women adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. "

"OUR AIMS
To free and empower.
To help rebuild self-esteem and self-confidence.
To take away the feeling of isolation.
To enable you to begin or continue the healing process.
To encourage and provide stability. "


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April's Special Collection

Liberty
(sponsor: John Grimsdale)

John has provided this information:

The Governments Justice and Security Green Paper hit the newspaper headlines last week although it was the main topic in my copy of ‘Liberty' that arrived a fortnight ago. Liberty pointed out that one of our oldest and most fundamental constitutional principles is that no one is above the law, including the Government; but not for much longer since, if the proposals go ahead, the Government will be able to throw a cloak of secrecy over litigation to which it is a party, by gaining control over what material can be disclosed to the other side and in open court. Claimants, victims, families at inquests and their lawyers won't be able to challenge or even hear the Government's version of events. On Wednesday the Guardian reported that Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights had produced a unanimously damning report that is as precise and persuasive as the green paper is unfocussed and unconvincing. Liberty's submission ran to 31 pages and can be viewed on the web, as can the Guardian's report.

Among a flurry of proposals soon to become law if passed, the Health and Social Care Bill will mean much more health and social care is provided to elderly and disabled people in their own homes. Liberty has joined a coalition of NGO's calling for the Government to ensure that the protection enshrined in the Human Rights Act are not denied to a group particularly at risk of abuse.

Liberty campaigned for years against the restrictions on protest around Parliament Square contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. The offending provisions were finally repealed in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, but were replaced with a ban on the use of tents, sleeping equipment and noise amplification equipment in Parliament Square. Westminster Council immediately followed suit by proposing new byelaws to the same effect but extending to a far larger area. Liberty believes these new restrictions on peaceful protest unjustifiably interfere with the rights of freedom of expression (Article 10), assembly (Article 11) and peaceful enjoyment of possessions (Articke 1 of the First Protocol) enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998.

The Football Supporters Federation (FSF) with Liberty are helping to change the barrage of legal restrictions not applied to the followers of any other sport, irrespective of the fact that only one in every 12,249 spectators were arrested at a match last year and there were no arrests at more than 70% of matches. Fans can be banned by the courts from attending games and required to surrender their passports via Football Banning Orders (FBO) without any criminal conviction. Over the Olympics and Euro 2012 FBOs will have to surrender their passports for seven weeks over the summer months.

Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 is also abused by the police. In one case Stoke fans enjoying a pint in a pub on the outskirts of Manchester were rounded up by police as they were likely to contribute to alcohol-related disorder. They were herded on to coaches and “deported” to Stoke, including one supporter who actually lived in Manchester. The FSF and Liberty have managed to get Greater Manchester Police to review its guidance to officers and the fans involved received almost £200,000 in compensation between them.


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May's Special Collection

Freedom from Torture
(sponsor: Valerie Ching)

The following statement has been taken from the Foundation's web site

"Freedom from Torture, formerly the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, has been working for 25 years to provide direct clinical services to survivors of torture who arrive in the UK as well as striving to protect and promote their rights. Since its inception, over 50,000 individuals have been referred for help. ... thousands of torture survivors have been able to rebuild their lives in incredibly difficult circumstances."

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June
Practical Action (sponsor:June Ward)

July
John Aves Educational Foundation (sponsor: Sue Sharpe)

August
Aylsham Care Trust (sponsor: Anne Marsden)

If Friends have any more ideas for the rest of the year, could they please contact either Peter Moss, June Ward or John Grimsdale.
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2011

January's Special Collection

John Aves Educational Foundation

The John Aves Educational Project seeks to empower disadvantaged young people to fulfill their potential through educational achievement in order for them to better serve their community.

Further information about the Foundation's work can be found in the John Aves Project leaflet and an article about the project's work with Bahaa Milhem can be found in the Network Norwich & Norfolk website

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February's Special Collection

Shelter

The following information is from the Shelter's web site:

"Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing"

Vision

"Shelter believes that everybody needs a home in a place they can thrive. Our work won't stop until there is a home for everyone."

Aims

"There are two main aims for Shelter's work from 2009-2012:

  • Make sure that people in housing need can access and keep a home.
  • Drive up the supply of affordable homes in places where people can thrive.

And three additional aims:

  • Diversify our income sources and explore innovative models, such as social enterprise, to direct investment to tackling bad housing and homelessness in the UK.
  • Get the most from our income by making our structures and processes as efficient as possible.
  • Work in partnership with other local and national agencies and bodies."
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March's Special Collection

Matthew Project

The following information is from the Matthew Project website

"The Matthew Project is a value driven charity based in Norfolk working in innovative ways with adults, young people and communities affected by drugs and alcohol. We provide dynamic drug education to young people helping them to understand the risks of drugs and alcohol. "

"In particular, The Matthew Project provides:  

  • Free, confidential, 'no-strings-attached' help for people with a drug or alcohol problem.
  • Honest, accurate and appropriate information about drugs and alcohol.
  • Support for parents and families of drug or alcohol users.
  • A 24/7 telephone helpline for everyone within Norfolk who need support or have questions on drugs and alcohol.
  • Dynamic education so young people understand the risks of drugs and alcohol. "
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April's Special Collection

Glebe House (Friends Therapeutic Community Trust)

"Aims & Objectives:
To provide a Therapeutic Community for the treatment of children and young people who are unstable and maladjusted and in need of assistance so that they may reside in conditions calculated to assist them to establish themselves in life as ordinary members of society "

Information from http://www.charitiesdirect.com/charities/friends-therapeutic-community-trust-245737.html
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May's Special Collection

Amnesty International

A statement of purpose from the Amnesty International website:

'We are ordinary people from around the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Our purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.'

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June's Special Collection

East Anglia Children's Hospice

From the EACH website:

'EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. We provide care and support wherever the family wishes – in families' own homes, in hospital or at one of our hospices in Ipswich, Milton and Quidenham. '

 
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July's Special Collection

Aylsham Care Trust

From the ACT website

" ACT was founded in 1985 and, since then, has been providing a range of services to older people and people with disabilities in and around Aylsham. In recent times ACT has also been working with other groups to provide services to the wider community.

The work of ACT is built upon the firm belief that caring for each other binds our community together. Social activity and fellowship is at the heart of every strong community and we can enrich and extend our lives by preventing isolation and loneliness.

ACT is committed to providing help, transport and the opportunity to enjoy social events, particularly for those who would otherwise be isolated, lonely or too frail to attend without help..."

 
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August's Special Collection

Surviving Together

From the Surviving Together website:

"SURVIVING TOGETHER is a self-help support group for women adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. "

"OUR AIMS
To free and empower.
To help rebuild self-esteem and self-confidence.
To take away the feeling of isolation.
To enable you to begin or continue the healing process.
To encourage and provide stability. "

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September's Special Collection

Refugee Council

From the Refugee Council website:

"The Refugee Council is the leading charity in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. We not only give direct help and support, but also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed. "

 
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October's Special Collection

Freedom from Torture
previously
Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture

The following statement has been taken from the Foundation's web site

"Freedom from Torture, formerly the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, has been working for 25 years to provide direct clinical services to survivors of torture who arrive in the UK as well as striving to protect and promote their rights. Since its inception, over 50,000 individuals have been referred for help. ... thousands of torture survivors have been able to rebuild their lives in incredibly difficult circumstances."
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November's Special Collection

Campaign Against Arms Trade

The following statement has been taken from CAAT's web site

Aims of the Campaign

The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade, together with progressive demilitarisation within arms-producing countries.

CAAT is a network of people based in the UK who recognise that the arms trade severely undermines human rights, security and economic development at global, regional, national and local levels. CAAT also understands that government decisions are unduly influenced by arms companies. In seeking to end this trade, CAAT's priorities are to:

  • end all government political and financial support for arms exports;
  • end exports to oppressive regimes, countries involved in armed conflict or in regions of tension and countries whose social welfare is threatened by military spending;
  • promote policies to fully orientate the UK economy towards civil production.

CAAT supports the promotion of peace, justice and democratic values, and the prevention and resolution of conflicts by peaceful means. CAAT considers that high military spending is unacceptable and only reinforces a militaristic approach to problems. CAAT is committed to nonviolence in all its work.

CAAT was set up in 1974 by a number of peace and other organisations who were concerned about the growth of the arms trade following the Middle East war of 1973.

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December's Special Collection

St Martins Housing Trust

The following statement has been taken from St Martin's Housing Trust's web site

Our Objects
St Martins Housing Trust is a registered charity. Our objects are to "provide food shelter and accommodation in the county of Norfolk for poor people having no other residence or the place to sleep...." 

Our Mission
St Martins Housing Trust strives to address the needs of single homeless people. We offer emergency accommodation, care, support and development to enable everyone achieve their full potential and a greater level of independence.

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