About the Charity

Doorway is open to people over 16 who are affected by homelessness, or are marginalised because they have complex needs including physical or mental health issues, poor life skills, debt, substance use or learning difficulties. Doorway currently operates two open access drop-in sessions each week where they provide freshly prepared hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, clothing parcels, toiletries, sleeping bags as well as specialist support. Doorway also provides activities such as access to IT, newspapers, music and table tennis.

The Nomination

This nomination was made by Martin Conlin of Holman, who has a connection with the organisation, it was supported by the Holman accounts team who make a regular contribution to the project in the form of food hampers. Martin and Antje (left & centre), are pictured below presenting the cheque to Lisa Lewis (right), from the Doorway project.

About the Charity

Diverse Abilities is Dorset's disability charity supporting children and adults with profound physical and learning disabilities across the county since 1955. They are an independent, not for profit organisation working together with families to help meet the needs of local people, of all ages, with physical and learning disabilities.

The Nomination

This nomination was received from Terry (pictured top left) from R B Autocare in Poole who won the 2016 garage of the year award. Terry's nomination said, "Langside School has been a part of my life for 11 years since my daughter became a teacher there. I have supported them personally over the years by attending their Christmas Fayre and other fundraising activities the School and Charity have arranged. The children that attend Langside School are simply wonderful, with smiles that light up a room. The school would like to purchase a sunken trampoline, which is suitable for children in wheelchairs to use and relax on in or out of their wheelchairs. They would also like to buy luxury turf, wind chimes and coloured mirrors to complete their sensory space with textures, colours and sounds."

About the Charity

Oaks Way Centre is a community centre for senior citizens, providing preventative care services for the elderly in the local community. Their clients are referred from a variety of sources including family members, carers, GPs, Social Services, Age Concern and hospitals. Referrals may be to address loneliness and isolation, to add variety and interest to the life of the client or to provide respite for a carer. Their focus is to support and sustain their clients living in their own homes independently, for a longer period of time and to enjoy a long happy and fulfilled life. The majority of their clients are 80 years plus and still live in their own homes.

The Nomination

Sharon & Brian Finch from Silverwing Garage (pictured right) in Croydon nominated this charity as it has, and is still, providing a much needed service for Brian's elderly mother. Brian & Sharon told me that she attends the centre twice a week and can't wait to tell them what she has been up to on those days. Peter McBride and Sally Martin (pictured left) from the centre said, "we provide not only services that help maintain health, but also those that promote enjoyment and fun, such as outings and trips to the panto, the seaside or lunch out in a restaurant. Sometimes we hold themed events including celebrations for milestone birthdays, and community activities where we encourage activities with local schools either visiting for celebratory assemblies, or having the children visit the centre".

About the Charity

Julia's House is an award-winning children's hospice charity dedicated to bringing comfort and care to families across Dorset and Wiltshire. Each family that they support is unique and so is the care they provide. When a family finds out that their child has a very serious medical condition, which is life-limiting or life-threatening, their world falls apart. Julia's House exists to help these children and their families. They provide practical and emotional support, tailoring their care to the needs of each individual child and their family, providing frequent and regular support in their own homes, in the community or at their hospice. They will take their care wherever it is needed.

The Nomination

This nomination was made in conjunction with the nomination for Langside School; however the cheque has not been presented yet. We are hoping to make the presentation at one of their high profile fund raising events later in the year so WATCH THIS SPACE!

Each year the Masterserve Foundation will support a national charity. In 2017 it will be Action for Children, another long term customer of Holman who by default also has a long association with the Masterserve garage network. They will receive an annual award which will accrue each quarter and be awarded in October 2017. From their website: Through our work and through speaking out, we seek to break the cycle of deprivation. We challenge injustice and empower children to overcome the obstacles in their lives that hold them back. We tailor our work to local circumstances, in partnership with children and young people, families, communities and local organisations. We believe all children and young people have unique potential and that they should have the support and opportunities they need to reach it. Action for Children helps more than 390,000 children, young people, parents and carers through 611 projects across the UK. We also promote social justice by lobbying and campaigning for change. Today, Action for Children is the leading UK provider of family and community centres, children's services in rural areas, services for disabled children and their families, and services for young people leaving care.