In 2023 I proposed that Witham Bowls Club would support Action for Family Carers (AfFC) as our charity for the year. Carers are people who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage otherwise.
For over 30 years AfFC has been providing information, befriending, counselling, volunteering opportunities and respite day care across Essex, working within schools and a variety of community settings.
More importantly family caring is something many of our members know and understand, and supporting AfFC could have direct, personal involvement. There is though, a special group – the young carers - who are still at school, and those between 18 -25 who are transitioning between school and adult life, whilst still having significant caring responsibilities.
It is estimated that there are some 10,00 young carers in Essex and AfFC already had an outreach group for young people in Witham, so it was agreed that all money raised would be given to support this group directly within our own, local community.
Now, looking back on the year, our Charity Day on 12th June had stalls selling plants, bird boxes and tables, tea and cakes, bric-a-brac, raffle and tombola. There was also a ‘Drive with a Difference’ game of bowls and we raised about £700. The August Bank Holiday drive (the Moore brothers BBQ) added further to the income. We also started a number of matches with the customary ‘spider’ which again boosted the pot. In total we raised £1,000, and I can only say ‘thank you’ to everyone for your kindness and generosity towards others who may not be so fortunate.
It was my pleasure and privilege to attend a Young Carers evening in Witham on 16th November and present a cheque from WBC and chat to some of the young carers. I have attached a photograph showing the presentation to Nicola Bennett (Club Lead for Witham Young Carers) and also a letter of thanks from AfFC.