DUC Change of address March 2023
Dartmouth United Charities' offices have moved to 38 Victoria Road, Dartmouth. The new ground floor office is closer to DUCs flats and more accessible. As our two members of office staff are part-time please ring in advance of making a visit.
Trustee Vacancy Jan 2022
Whether you are an experienced Trustee or wishing to take your first step at Board level, we would like to hear from you. You should have knowledge of and an interest in local economic and social issues. An understanding of housing, finance or charity operations would be helpful.
The role is voluntary, meetings of the Board are quarterly in the afternoon and trustees are involved with other matters throughout the year.
For more information and to apply please contact Sarah on 01803 835006 or email info@dartmouthunitedcharities.org.uk
Closing date: 18th March 2022
The role is voluntary, meetings of the Board are quarterly in the afternoon and trustees are involved with other matters throughout the year.
For more information and to apply please contact Sarah on 01803 835006 or email info@dartmouthunitedcharities.org.uk
Closing date: 18th March 2022
Covid-19 March 2020
Dartmouth United Charities is aware of the hardship that many local people are finding themselves in as the effects of coronavirus take hold. We ask that individuals who are in financial difficulty or need help during self isolation approach one of the following local organisations for advice on what help is available locally.
Dartmouth Caring 01803 835384 (inc a meal delivery service for vulnerable/housebound)
Dartmouth Community Chest 07496349234 or 07414 656343
Dartmouth and District Foodbank 07925 120024
Flavel Church flavelchurch@gmail.com 07771 174 - food bank inc frozen meals
TQ6 Hub at The Hall Townstal Community Hall week day collection/distribution point for food and meals. See also Facebook
Citizens Advice South Hams 03444 111 444
Dartmouth Caring 01803 835384 (inc a meal delivery service for vulnerable/housebound)
Dartmouth Community Chest 07496349234 or 07414 656343
Dartmouth and District Foodbank 07925 120024
Flavel Church flavelchurch@gmail.com 07771 174 - food bank inc frozen meals
TQ6 Hub at The Hall Townstal Community Hall week day collection/distribution point for food and meals. See also Facebook
Citizens Advice South Hams 03444 111 444
110 year Charity Celebration Dec 2019
The Charity celebrated its 110 year birthday in December with an afternoon tea party for almshouse residents, trustees, staff and some of the local organisations it supports.
Guests enjoyed a lively afternoon of entertainment by J2Jazz and songs from the 50s and 60s sung by a 40 strong ensemble of the Dart Rock Choir. Afternoon tea was catered by Phillips Foods who supplied a hamper of gifts for the free draw; and the ballroom was decorated with floral displays by Dartmouth Green Partnerships.
A potted history of the fascinating lives of five of the current almshouse residents was on display. DUC Trustee Betty Fleet interviewed the residents, two of whom are nonagenarians and two were born in Dartmouth and have lived here for much of their lives. Mrs Fleet said ‘It was a real privilege and honour to spend time hearing about their lives’.
Resident Celeste Williams (age 90) reminisced ‘The sweet shop I used to go to was Drakes, because we lived over the school in Newcomen Road in Drake’s Passage’. She recalled that through the passage, two doors up the road was a bread shop. ‘You’d go in there to get a penny bun, it was red hot! We ate it on the way to school.’
The event also celebrated the work of the Charity’s grant programme which supports Dartmouth people in hardship and need.
Minutes of the Charity’s 1909 meeting show grants amounting to 45 pounds 7 shillings and 1 penny, were given to the Dartmouth Cottage Hospital, the District Nurse and the Dartmouth Soup Kitchen among others.
100 years later and around £85,000 of grants are given out annually to local organisations and individuals in Dartmouth, including the Townstal Community Hub who provide a drop in centre on Fridays throughout winter and the Flavel Church Pantry and Dartmouth Food Bank who provide emergency food to local’s in need.
Guests enjoyed a lively afternoon of entertainment by J2Jazz and songs from the 50s and 60s sung by a 40 strong ensemble of the Dart Rock Choir. Afternoon tea was catered by Phillips Foods who supplied a hamper of gifts for the free draw; and the ballroom was decorated with floral displays by Dartmouth Green Partnerships.
A potted history of the fascinating lives of five of the current almshouse residents was on display. DUC Trustee Betty Fleet interviewed the residents, two of whom are nonagenarians and two were born in Dartmouth and have lived here for much of their lives. Mrs Fleet said ‘It was a real privilege and honour to spend time hearing about their lives’.
Resident Celeste Williams (age 90) reminisced ‘The sweet shop I used to go to was Drakes, because we lived over the school in Newcomen Road in Drake’s Passage’. She recalled that through the passage, two doors up the road was a bread shop. ‘You’d go in there to get a penny bun, it was red hot! We ate it on the way to school.’
The event also celebrated the work of the Charity’s grant programme which supports Dartmouth people in hardship and need.
Minutes of the Charity’s 1909 meeting show grants amounting to 45 pounds 7 shillings and 1 penny, were given to the Dartmouth Cottage Hospital, the District Nurse and the Dartmouth Soup Kitchen among others.
100 years later and around £85,000 of grants are given out annually to local organisations and individuals in Dartmouth, including the Townstal Community Hub who provide a drop in centre on Fridays throughout winter and the Flavel Church Pantry and Dartmouth Food Bank who provide emergency food to local’s in need.
Royal support for advice service March 2019
A representative of Dartmouth United Charities was invited to attend a celebration of long service volunteers at Citizens Advice South Hams presented by HRH Princess Anne. The DUC has for the past 2 years funded a specialist case worker to support people in Dartmouth with complex issues who find it difficult to travel to an adviser in Totnes. Betty Fleet, Trustee of the DUC said 'It was great to meet the team at Citizens Advice and speak about the work we all do.'
DUC Trustee Betty Fleet (centre left), speaking to HRH Princess Anne about how the DUC supports South Hams Citizens Advice in Dartmouth
Preschool equipped for fun! Nov 2018
Children at Dartmouth Pre-School are having fun with new educational equipment funded by a generous grant from Dartmouth United Charities. The preschool is a not for profit organisation who aim to keep their fees low to enable all families to access early years education regardless of whether they qualify for funding. In what appears to be an affluent town, there are significant pockets of deprivation and poverty affecting children’s home life.
Pam Reeves, Manager of the Pre-school said ‘Much of the specialist equipment has been specifically chosen to support children with emerging learning difficulties and special educational needs to help their development progress. We have a wonderful new playroom and balcony area, but many of our resources are getting tired and we wanted to ensure we have relevant, modern resources for all our children.
We are delighted to be able to equip our playroom and garden with sensory play and educational items that many children do not have at home. Access to these resources can transform a child’s first experience of education.’
Pam Reeves, Manager of the Pre-school said ‘Much of the specialist equipment has been specifically chosen to support children with emerging learning difficulties and special educational needs to help their development progress. We have a wonderful new playroom and balcony area, but many of our resources are getting tired and we wanted to ensure we have relevant, modern resources for all our children.
We are delighted to be able to equip our playroom and garden with sensory play and educational items that many children do not have at home. Access to these resources can transform a child’s first experience of education.’
Music Therapy Classes July 2018
The Friends of St John’s Parent and Teacher Association obtained a grant from Dartmouth United Charities to pay for music therapy sessions. A member of the Friends group heard about the DUC grant scheme through an article in the Chronicle and took the opportunity to apply for a grant for the pupils to access music and learn in an environment which is fun and therapeutic.
Music therapist, Becca Wintle from South Devon Music Therapy said: “We do a variety of musical games and activities encouraging self-expression, discussion about feelings, encouraging empathy, listening to others and taking turns.
“We also have a relaxation at the end of the session, encouraging the children to practice mindfulness, being aware of their breathing as they listen to a relaxing song.
“I have already seen improvements in the students’ ability to listen to each other, for example playing quietly or loudly in response to another student’s music.
“All the students seem to respond well to the relaxation, enjoying the opportunity to lie down and listen to calming music.
“We discuss how the music makes them feel inside and this encourages them to be aware of their body sensations and feelings.”
Headteacher, Liz Hamilton said: “This has provided a wonderful opportunity for some of our pupils and we would like to thank your supportive Friends of St John’s committee as well as Dartmouth United Charities for making these music sessions possible.”
Music therapist, Becca Wintle from South Devon Music Therapy said: “We do a variety of musical games and activities encouraging self-expression, discussion about feelings, encouraging empathy, listening to others and taking turns.
“We also have a relaxation at the end of the session, encouraging the children to practice mindfulness, being aware of their breathing as they listen to a relaxing song.
“I have already seen improvements in the students’ ability to listen to each other, for example playing quietly or loudly in response to another student’s music.
“All the students seem to respond well to the relaxation, enjoying the opportunity to lie down and listen to calming music.
“We discuss how the music makes them feel inside and this encourages them to be aware of their body sensations and feelings.”
Headteacher, Liz Hamilton said: “This has provided a wonderful opportunity for some of our pupils and we would like to thank your supportive Friends of St John’s committee as well as Dartmouth United Charities for making these music sessions possible.”
Dartmouth United Charties give Dart Sailability a lift!
May 2018
George Hardy (left) and Jill Cawley see the Dart Sailability hoist in operation.
Dartmouth United Charities have given a generous grant to Dart Sailability to purchase and install a new hoist. The hoist, mounted on the pontoons at Premier Noss on Dart Marina on the River Dart, is essential to enable the safe transfer of disabled sailors between their wheel chairs and Sailability’s specially adapted sailing dinghies and power boats. The new hoist provides more flexibility and is easier to operate than the hoist it replaces and conforms to the latest standards.
Jill Cawley, Chairman of Dartmouth United Charities and George Hardy, a trustee of the charity, visited Noss Marina on Tuesday. They were greeted and warmly thanked for their generous donation by Steve Watkin, Deputy Principal of Dart Sailability. They met the Sailability volunteers and sailors and saw the new hoist in action, then ventured on to the river in a support boat to get a close up view of the sailors themselves in action.
Dart Sailability was formed in 1997 and is a non-commercial fully volunteer managed charitable club. Sailability’s objective is to provide the opportunity, support, and training to enable people with disabilities to enhance their lives by sailing. For more information visit http://www.dartsailability.org
Jill Cawley, Chairman of Dartmouth United Charities and George Hardy, a trustee of the charity, visited Noss Marina on Tuesday. They were greeted and warmly thanked for their generous donation by Steve Watkin, Deputy Principal of Dart Sailability. They met the Sailability volunteers and sailors and saw the new hoist in action, then ventured on to the river in a support boat to get a close up view of the sailors themselves in action.
Dart Sailability was formed in 1997 and is a non-commercial fully volunteer managed charitable club. Sailability’s objective is to provide the opportunity, support, and training to enable people with disabilities to enhance their lives by sailing. For more information visit http://www.dartsailability.org
Youth Genesis has received vital support from Dartmouth United Charities to help deliver youth services for teenagers in the town April 2018
The funding will help Youth Genesis to deliver two weekly youth clubs and a street based youth project which aims to support young people hanging out on the streets of Townstal on Friday nights. The organisation works with communities to develop quality youth activities and projects for young people aged 11-25.
The youth clubs include: Decks Youth Venue, which is open on Thursday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm at the Ivy Lane Young Peoples Centre and The Point Youth Drop-In, which is based at St Clements Church Hall in Townstal on Friday nights from 7.00-9.00pm. Both sessions are aimed at 11-17 year olds, with youth volunteering opportunities for 18-25 year olds.
The youth sessions offer games, crafts, cooking, discussion groups, bicycle repair, sports activities and support for young people experiencing challenges such as bullying or social isolation. The youth sessions are staffed by a team of volunteers who give their time to support over 140 young people each week.
Funding for the youth sessions comes from a mixed range of sources, which includes Dartmouth Town Council, local Churches and more recently, Dartmouth United Charities.
Youth Genesis is also working in other parts of Devon to support communities to setup youth projects and activities for 11-25 year olds in areas where there are currently no generic youth services. The Youth Genesis approach is to work with communities to identify assets and explore how they can be best used for the benefit of local young people. Building on the work in Dartmouth, Youth Genesis is about to relaunch the Youth Leisure Nights on Friday, May 11, which will be based at the Dartmouth Leisure Centre.
Jonathan Oliverio, Lead Youth Officer at Youth Genesis said: “We are really excited to receive support from Dartmouth United Charities, the funding will help us significantly to provide activities and a range of support for young people in the town.”
The Youth Genesis Trust specialises in offering activities and opportunities of learning and support for young people aged 11-25 who are at risk. Youth Genesis trains local volunteers to work with the young people encouraging them to make a positive transition into adulthood. If you would like to get involved, please contact Michelle Taylor by email: michelle@youthgenesis.org.uk or visit www.youthgenesis.org.uk
For more information on Youth Genesis visit www.youthgenesis.org.uk
The youth clubs include: Decks Youth Venue, which is open on Thursday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm at the Ivy Lane Young Peoples Centre and The Point Youth Drop-In, which is based at St Clements Church Hall in Townstal on Friday nights from 7.00-9.00pm. Both sessions are aimed at 11-17 year olds, with youth volunteering opportunities for 18-25 year olds.
The youth sessions offer games, crafts, cooking, discussion groups, bicycle repair, sports activities and support for young people experiencing challenges such as bullying or social isolation. The youth sessions are staffed by a team of volunteers who give their time to support over 140 young people each week.
Funding for the youth sessions comes from a mixed range of sources, which includes Dartmouth Town Council, local Churches and more recently, Dartmouth United Charities.
Youth Genesis is also working in other parts of Devon to support communities to setup youth projects and activities for 11-25 year olds in areas where there are currently no generic youth services. The Youth Genesis approach is to work with communities to identify assets and explore how they can be best used for the benefit of local young people. Building on the work in Dartmouth, Youth Genesis is about to relaunch the Youth Leisure Nights on Friday, May 11, which will be based at the Dartmouth Leisure Centre.
Jonathan Oliverio, Lead Youth Officer at Youth Genesis said: “We are really excited to receive support from Dartmouth United Charities, the funding will help us significantly to provide activities and a range of support for young people in the town.”
The Youth Genesis Trust specialises in offering activities and opportunities of learning and support for young people aged 11-25 who are at risk. Youth Genesis trains local volunteers to work with the young people encouraging them to make a positive transition into adulthood. If you would like to get involved, please contact Michelle Taylor by email: michelle@youthgenesis.org.uk or visit www.youthgenesis.org.uk
For more information on Youth Genesis visit www.youthgenesis.org.uk
