Charity of the Year 2018 is announced

We are pleased to announce that our Charity of the Year 2018 is to be WINGS (Wombourne Special Needs Support Group) which supports children and young people with special needs and of a wide variety of ages and abilities. These provide an opportunity for the children and young people to socialise, make friends and have fun together in a safe and encouraging environment.

WINGS, a registered charity based at The Wings Centre, in Wombourne, South Staffordshire, is in its twenty third year and was founded by a small group of parents of children with special needs.

Funding

Nan Flavell, Chair of WINGS says:

‘We are currently supported by a number of small one-off grants, but this funding is not enough. After 6 years of being primarily funded by BBC Children in Need, sadly our application was rejected in 2015 because of high demand.

 We have had to work through our reserves and closure has loomed on more than one occasion, with only the wonderful support of the local community and income from our own fund-raising events saving us.

We are so thrilled that Ashwood Nurseries has chosen us as their Charity of the Year 2018: this will make such a difference to us while we apply for long-term funding’

a chance to socialise…

Social activities

The WINGS Centre provides WINGS’ members with a place of their own to meet, and a wide range of small group activities are run here. These include a 5-8s group and Youth Club. Each WINGS session is well supervised with one to one care for those who need it and a trained First Aider on-site.

They run a wide variety of staffed evening, weekend and holiday play scheme activities for children, providing them with a social group and a sense of belonging, as well as stimulus in drama, music, art and physical exercise. They also run regular trips and outings.

Nan says: ‘For several years we have had a professional theatre company come and perform a family Panto for us. These performances provide a rare opportunity for families to come and enjoy an afternoon out together, in a relaxed and understanding atmosphere.’

Staff and volunteers

having fun…

Paid staff are recruited from the caring professions, and include teachers, nursery nurses and health professionals: many of whom have years of experience with special needs. As well as keeping the children busy and happy, they are also trained to carry out any necessary hygiene or intimate care.

WINGS is also supported by a team of volunteers including young volunteers (aged 16 or over). Some are training for a career working with children; others just want to do something useful in their spare time. These volunteers, who give their free time with such enthusiasm, assist paid staff in organising activities and helping to provide the one to one support that is so crucial.

Respite care and support for families

a safe environment…

WINGS provides respite for the caring role of parents, where possible during evenings, weekend and school holidays, providing trained and volunteer staff for these sessions: most of the children require 1:1 supervision. The WINGS Centre also offers a range of publications and information resources to parents, as well as a welcome to anyone who wants to call in.

Nan says: ‘The parents’ support group offers opportunities to share ideas and experiences, someone to listen, someone to cry with let off steam or laugh with; and somewhere that each child’s individuality is celebrated and their differences aren’t judged or a cause of embarrassment.’

 Contact information:

WINGS: Wombourne Special Needs Support Group, The WINGS Centre, Gravel Hill House, Wombourne, South Staffs. WV5 9HA   Telephone: 01902892222 | email: [email protected]  Registered Charity Number: 1075503

How will Ashwood Nurseries raise money?

Our main fundraising comes from John’s Garden Open Days and Hellebore Tours (the entire proceeds from entrance charges are donated). We also are fortunate to receive a number of individual private donations from our wonderful customers and friends and we would like to say a big thank you to anyone who supports our charity in any way, no matter how small.

Other charities:

We also continue to support The National Gardens Scheme www.ngs.org.uk

Past charity fund-raising:

2018: National Garden Scheme: £4.045.00

2017: Beacon Centre for the Blind: £24,859.16

2017: National Garden Scheme: £4194.06

2017: Kinver National Trust: £1227.50

2016: High Flyers: £24,318.92

2016: National Garden Scheme: £4,194.06

2015: Macmillan Cancer Support: £21,810.00

2015: National Garden Scheme: £2,135.00

2014: Stroke Support West Midlands: £15,400.00

2014: National Garden Scheme: £1,870.00

2013: Cancer Support at The White House, Dudley, West Midlands: £23,764.73

2013: National Garden Scheme: £350

2012: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association: £19,600

2012: National Garden Scheme: £1372.50

2011: Alzheimers Society: £26,030.60

2011: National Garden Scheme: £1940.00

2010: Mary Stevens Hospice and Compton Hospice: £23,942

2010: National Garden Scheme: £2,224.00

2009: Action Heart: £26,341.00

2008: Renal Unit Fund at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton: £26,000

2007: County Air Ambulance: £20,648.00