CMSS - Skills Development Centre For People with Disabilities
Sponsors
Whilst all clients arrive at CMSS with a unique care package from their local authority to fund their learning and development, this really only provides for the basics. In order to provide a real person-centred approach, it needs to be extended to take into account the needs, wants, wishes and dreams of each client.
Therefore fund raising becomes paramount as we seek to offer new opportunities and activities to make our clients' lives as meaningful and exciting as possible e.g. new resources, transportation, socials, equipment, holidays etc.
Additional funding is needed as we strive to offer innovative services and, whilst the clients themselves do contribute as much as their finances permit, together we enjoy raising much needed finds via fun activities both external and internal.
We are very lucky to be supported so well by a network of really enthusiastic and generous neighbours, businesses and individuals. They either give up their time, their experience and professionalism or goods and services so that, through our varying activities throughout the year, these are converted into either much needed cash or support.
The holiday opportunities offered have grown in popularity and now because of demand we offer approx 8 holidays throughout the year - both in the UK and abroad. Our clients, or their families, fund the holidays themselves but the clients do need to be supported and the Holiday Fund provides the financial assistance to pay for the support of the trained volunteers, equipment needs on holiday, accessible transport and 3 meals a day.
The biggest annual fund raiser is now the JAMBOREE held in July each year. This has been held for the last few years and has just become bigger and bigger and is now more like an extravaganza with planning, preparation and organisation seemingly taking place throughout the year. The local community at large look forward to this day as much as we do and the only thing not guaranteed on the day is the sunshine, although we are usually lucky. All, though, are guaranteed fun, friendship and perhaps even a bargain along the way.
Our supporters and sponsors are very important to us and are soon considered friends. If you think that you would like to be involved in supporting our work in any way then we would be only too pleased to talk to you. Help comes in a multitude of ways, all just as important, from offering a tin of paint or a computer to running a raffle or helping out at a bingo night, sponsoring a mini bus or volunteering your skills. For example, you may have time on your hands in the week and are good with a paintbrush or a mixing bowl!
We here are a community with some great characters who have a big welcome on the mat - come along and meet us and see how collectively any small support makes such a real difference.
Charity Membership
For the grand sum of £5 a year anyone can become a member of The Skills Development Centre. In the past membership has mainly been around the people who set up the charity and the carers of Clients who attend the Centre and some Clients themselves. As with any membership, the numbers have dwindled over the years and we desperately need new members.
As a member you will be invited to the AGM, usually held in September, if you have any ideas that you feel could help the Centre, this would be the opportunity to put them forward. The Charity Commission, who oversee all charities, give members a say in who runs the service and how it is run. At the AGM members elect the officers of our Executive Committee, who at the end of the day decide what kind of service we provide for the Clients. For the main part we just want to widen our membership.
We are also looking to increase our circle of volunteers and if any of you think you can spare the time, we can certainly find you something to do.
If you would like to become a Member of the Charity Please call us on 0208 866 3711 and a Membership form will be sent out to you.
CMSS Latest News
Updated June 2010
Jamboree 2010
Would you like to be involved in a fun packed day for all the family? If your answer is yes then your in luck. CMSS's Jamboree is only three weeks away. On Saturday 3rd July we will be hosting our anual event, with activities ranging from live music, Tombola, horse racing, raffles, food, bbq, Bar and much much more. So come on down and have some fun in the name of a good cause. If you would like to make a contribution or sponsor any part of this event then please contact Naheed on 0208 8663711 or naheedjudge@hotmail.com
CMSS Lease
We are pleased to announce that our CMSS lease has been renewed for another 5 years until September 2014. This will enable us to further develop and utilise our independent living skills area and our computer suite.
PLEASE HELP!
We are currently looking for a community based building in Central Harrow for our Harrow Community Links Project. This will need to be accessible with accessible, disabled toilets, and be available Monday to Friday 9am-3pm. If you know of any building or large hall, which is available, or is likely to become available in the near future, please contact Betty Morris or Naheed Judge on 02088663711 for further details.
Can you help?
Have you been attending CMSS for 50 years? Has your family been involved with CMSS for many years? We are currently in the process of publishing a book about the history of CMSS and we need any old newspaper cuttings, photographs, letters, or anyting related to the history of CMSS. Please could you forward these to Betty Morris and we will photocopy them with your permission, and give the originals back to you.
Northwood Project Piloted Sept 09
We have implemented our 5th Community Based Northwood Service to provide a service to those clients who require a programme of less physically demanding activities.