Latest news with #TheNelsonTrust
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bridgwater outreach: 'It's so hard leaving women sleeping rough'
"To go home and know you've left them - we've had to tuck women into foil blankets and just say 'see you later' - that can be heartbreaking sometimes."Dani Brown has just spent hours of her Wednesday evening driving and walking around the streets of Bridgwater, an outreach worker with the town's women's centre run by a charity, The Nelson week she and a colleague go looking for homeless women who may need their load up a van with supplies from instant noodles and hot water, to underwear, panic alarms and sanitary products, and go out offering practical help and Sarah, not her real name, knows what a difference this "brilliant" work can five years using heroin, shoplifting, having her kids taken into care, and sleeping "in garages, on the streets, in alleyways", she has now been clean for 18 months. Now 38, Sarah "didn't feel quite so alone" once she found the Bridgwater Women's Centre team after one of many arrests for shoplifting, when she was sent to prison for her second time."That's when I'd had enough. I really missed my kids, obviously I always miss my children, but that's when it clicked like nothing's gonna change until I got off the stuff. "Now, being clean, everything else just falls into place," she the outreach team, Sarah's is a huge success longer sleeping rough, she is now in temporary accommodation and hoping to go to college later this also sees her son everyday which she said is "amazing – I didn't ever think I'd get that back".And she's been been off methadone for the last six weeks: "I'm quite proud of that," Sarah women Dani and her colleague have seen are still in difficult situations. "All the women I support are homeless, they also have complex needs regarding mental health, substance misuse, family breakdowns, they might be facing violence from a partner or another individual," said this particular evening she'd managed to see ten women, three of whom were new or she hadn't seen for a long time."They were in parks, in town, we've seen women in tents, also outside the town centre who have made what they feel is a safe environment - but that's a risky situation to be in," she well as handing out food and supplies, Dani and her colleague have also given out a month they're joined by sexual health nurses for the evening. On this occasion they've helped one woman get emergency accommodation for the night and sent emails to "many different professionals" to help others. Night-time 'most risky' "We've got a GP coming in to the centre tomorrow so we were able to get four women to agree to come in and see the GP who don't currently access medical support - having that place of safety and that little prompt tonight has really helped," said said it's difficult leaving the women she comes into contact with."In the evening, through the night-time, that's when women are at risk of violence - whether that's physical or sexual - because they're so vulnerable.""The risks can women can be put into, and the risks that come to them when they're asleep - they're scared," she said.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir to perform at charity concert
A charity concert featuring the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir will raise funds for two local charities. The event, organised by Stroud Rotary Club and the BNI, will take place at Stroud Congregational Church on Friday, March 7, at 7.30pm. The Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir will be joined by the Love2Sing Community Choir. Tickets are £10, with all proceeds going to Allsorts and The Nelson Trust. Richard Hubble, of the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir, said: "We love singing and entertaining local audiences – especially when it's in aid of brilliant Gloucestershire-based charities like Allsorts and The Nelson Trust. "Come along, bring your friends and family, and enjoy yourselves. "It's going to be a great night." Rachael Fletcher, head of fundraising and corporate partnerships at Allsorts, said: "It's wonderful to have the support of our community and I'm really looking forward to hearing both choirs' performance on the night." Andy Jarrett, fundraising and events lead at The Nelson Trust, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the support from the two BNI groups, the community and the Stroud Rotary Club. "Events like this not only raise vital funds but also highlight the important work we do at The Nelson Trust, bringing belief, hope and long-term recovery to lives affected by substance use and multiple disadvantages. "In our 40th anniversary year we can't wait to see everyone there and share this special evening with you." The Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir is known for its inspiring repertoire of modern pop songs, classic standards, and traditional choral pieces. Allsorts is an activity provider for children and young adults with additional needs in Gloucestershire. The charity enables the community of families to access everyday experiences which others may take for granted. In doing so, they reduce isolation and loneliness and build resilience and confidence so that children and young people can thrive. The Nelson Trust provides support for people affected by substance use and other disadvantages. The trust offers residential treatment, education, employment services, and community support. Tickets can be purchased on the Allsorts website.
