The manager of the Helen & Douglas House Hospice Shop in Alvescot Road, Carterton is using the space within her shop to sell more than donated items. The area where furniture is displayed is used as frequently as possible as a place for local people to learn new craft skills. The sessions are run by volunteers who give their time so that up to six people (over the age of 16) can have a chat and learn new crafts.
“We run the groups as often as volunteers can give their time,” says Gemma Walters. “Our sessions use re-cycled craft materials and scraps of fabrics and only cost £2 per person. The local community have been so good to our charity by supporting us with donations and buying items to raise money for our hospices, that I thought it would be a great place for people to make new friends and have some fun for a couple of hours. Each class lasts two hours and they run from 10 am and 1pm so they do not clash with school hours. You will need to bring your own drink, but all materials are free of charge.”
The craft sessions cover such things as crochet, sewing, bullet journals, origami, and quilling paper craft. The Carterton shop is however always keen to involve people who are happy to share their crafting skills and also receive donations of craft supplies and scraps of fabric.
“I would love to be able to run classes several times a week,” says Gemma, “so if anyone is reading this and would like to get involved, either as a teacher or a participant, please get in touch with me at the shop. For people who are taking part, you do not need to have any experience to have a go. We are wheelchair friendly too and people can come along with their carers. The groups really are great fun and provide two hours of escapism.”
To contact Gemma, either pop into the shop or give her a call on 01993 840268.
One of the volunteers who enjoys giving the craft classes is Anita Pitts. “Hosting Scrapbooking sessions at the Helen & Douglas House charity shop in Carterton for me is a win, win situation. Not only do I get the opportunity to meet and chat to some great people, introduce them to a craft I love, show them how to preserve their memories and at the same time raise money for Helen & Douglas House to help terminally ill children live life to the full. What’s not to love.”
Sophie is one of the craft session users: “I really enjoy taking part in the craft sessions. The hosts are so kind and can answer any questions you might have.”
Since Sister Frances Dominica and the Worswick family established Helen House Children’s Hospice back in November 1982, not only did it become the world’s first children’s hospice but over the years, it has inspired 54 other children’s hospices in the UK and abroad.
The first hospice came about when a little girl called Helen, had been left with severe and irreversible brain damage following an emergency operation to remove a brain tumour. Her parents took her home from hospital to provide care for her in surroundings which were familiar to her. During this time, a friendship developed between Sister Frances and Helen’s parents. On occasions, Sister Frances would look after Helen for short periods to give her parents respite. It was from this special friendship that the idea of developing a small, homely hospice for children was created. Since then, the charity continued to grow. In 2003, they opened their first shop in Oxford’s Covered Market and today there are more than 24 shops across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.
In 2004, a second hospice Douglas House was opened to care for young adults aged 16 to 35. Officially opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II, it was the world’s first specialist hospice that bridged the gap for young adults who were too old for a children’s hospice but also required a place more suitable for their needs than an adults’ hospice. Sadly, due to funding difficulties, Douglas House had to close in June 2018, but Helen House continues to offer care for terminally ill babies, children, and young people up to the age of 18. It is with the help and support of their volunteering team established in 2008, together with people across the county getting involved in fundraising, that Helen and Douglas House are able to provide dedicated care, both at the hospice in Magdalen Road in Oxford, at home or hospital with the aid of their medical and nursing teams. The hospice offers respite and discharge from hospital stays, symptom and pain management as well as end of life care.
As we head towards Christmas and you start looking for gifts, do pop in and see what you can find in the Carterton Helen & Douglas House Hospice shop. Your continued support helps the charity care for children every day of the year and without people like you, the shop and the Hospice would not be able to do the work they do in the community.
To find out more about the Helen & Douglas House charity and their shops please visit helenanddouglas.org.uk/shop.
