Two local charities helping Norfolk residents both young and old have each received a £15,000 donation from social impact company Omaze, as part of its latest house draw in North Norfolk.
The Holt Youth Project works with children and young people across North Norfolk to help them reach their full potential and aspirations. Glaven Caring provides day care and support facilities for the elderly with the aim of allowing them to stay in their homes for as long as possible.
Omaze is committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the communities where its Grand Prize houses are located – in addition to the main donation for its House Draw charity partners – and was keen to support worthy local causes such as Holt Youth Project and Glaven Caring.
The Holt Youth Project was built by the local community of Holt to support its children and young people in an area of high rural isolation, reduced transport links and with many disadvantaged families struggling to cope with the day-to-day pressures of life. Holt Youth Project is known at grass roots level as a trusted “can do project” that is continually evolving to meet the needs of children and young people in the community.
The money donated by Omaze will help to support a new piece of work for the Project. Resilient Together is a new programme the charity is hoping to roll out this autumn, which will help to fill gaps in services for young people with emotional and anxiety issues.
The charity said that these problems have escalated post covid due to lockdown. Resilient Together will be a nurturing holistic wellbeing programme aimed to support and equip young people to build their confidence and self-esteem, in order to gain valuable life skills – that will help them reach their full potential and aspirations.
Julie Alford BEM, Founder/Manager of Holt Youth Project said: “Everyone at Holt Youth Project would like to say a huge thank you to Omaze for its generous donation that will help us to continue supporting children and young people. This wonderful gesture will make such a difference.”
The other local charity to receive a donation from Omaze was Glaven Caring. It offers a wide range of support to elderly people in the community including transportation in a specially adapted minibus driven by volunteers – and with further support onboard – to and from the Glaven Centre – where they receive a warm welcome with a cup of tea and biscuit on arrival.
The centre and its team provide a whole host of activities including quizzes, sing alongs, guest speaker talks, physical exercises, visits by children from the local primary school, gardening and day visits to local attractions to name but a few.
Glaven Caring also provides a foot-care service to the community – not just its day clients – on a weekly basis. Monthly, there is a hairdressing and ear-care service.
Its nurses provide medical care not available in nearby local villages. These include doing blood tests, giving vaccinations, supervising medications, checking client’s health status (blood pressure, blood sugar levels etc) and performing wound dressings.
Another important service is the assisted bathing facility used by a large number of clients. These baths give nurses an opportunity to check on clients’ general state of health, such as any skin problems that can be spotted and acted upon.
By taking clients with dementia, the charity gives respite to regular carers that are often family members, allowing them to get on with day-to-day life tasks safe in the knowledge their loved ones are being looked after in a safe space.
Peter O’Hare, Chairman of the Trustees of Glaven Caring said: “Without the generosity of organisations like Omaze and the fundraising activities and efforts of our staff and team of volunteers, Glaven Caring would cease to exist. Many of our clients would end up in care homes, disorientated and unhappy. Families would be split up and mental and physical stimulation would be lost by so many – resulting in health deterioration.
“This donation will make a big difference and help to enable our incredible staff and volunteers to continue supporting elderly people in our community, ensuring they can continue living at home in comfort and with dignity.”
Duncan Baker MP for North Norfolk, who connected the charities with Omaze, said: “These two charities are a shining light in their communities and all of Norfolk should feel very proud that such organisations exist and excel in this county. The work that Glaven Caring and Holt Youth Project do makes an enormous difference to people from different generations, but who share the need for support. On behalf of all those that are supported by these enormously important charities, I say thank you for this donation from Omaze.”
Omaze is currently running its latest house draw in North Norfolk, with a stunning £4,500,000 coastal property complete with swimming pool and coastal views of the idyllic Blakeney salt marshes and harbour – as well as £100,000 in cash – raising funds and awareness for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Amit Lakhani, VP of Finance for Omaze, said: “Omaze is delighted to have made a contribution to Glaven Caring and Holt Youth Project. I had the privilege of visiting both these incredible charities recently, and having the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of their vital work in this community was truly humbling.
“Omaze will continue to help more local causes in the areas where we host our house draws, wherever possible.”
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Norfolk are available now at www.omaze.co.uk.The draw closes on Bank Holiday Monday 28th August for online entries and Wednesday 30th August 2023 for postal entries.
