Swansea Children's Therapy Centre Support Group

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CHAIR’S REPORT 2011

I feel that some of the focus from the outset at today’s meeting must be on what we are trying to achieve and how we go about it. The Support Group is doing a great job of fundraising, but we would very much like to get the involvement of more parents, carers and families. Attendance at recently organised – and free – functions has been weak and many who promised to attend did not. As a committee, we need input of ideas and generation of enthusiasm from those who should benefit.

However, it has been a year when the committee has been very active and some excellent things have happened. The most important news is that our group has been adopted as the charity for the Swans (Swansea City AFC) for the second half of this season and the whole of 2011/2012. Andrea Morris and Joe Kelly have been to visit a few times and money is flowing in. Most of this is to be ring fenced for the provision of a play area when the eventual move to Singleton will happen, but we have decided to dedicate a small amount to the provision of archery for some children during the summer. In addition, the Swans have provided the major prize of hospitality for four at their last home game to our grand Easter Draw, which will take place on the pitch at half time on Easter Monday.

Generous additional prizes have been added by jeweller Stephen Hughes from his new Quadrant store Pandora, from Spencer Austin at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club and at Monks Premier Spa, from Slater’s Menswear and the Swansea Marriott, so that the prize list is, indeed, a great temptation for everybody in the Swansea area. The management and players have been brilliant at the Swans and we wish them the best for the rest of the season – and next!

Our regular sponsors at Pontlliw AFC also came up with another handsome donation and support from the Mountain Dew Inn has been consistent, raising well over £1,000 during the year. A surprise cheque for £400 came from the quizmaster at the Three Sisters pub, Dawson’s Estate Agents sent us £225, Swansea Ladies’ Darts League £330 and there have been other spontaneous donations and organised events during the year. Luke Morgan, unable to get to the 10K run collected £50 at his sister’s engagement party! Our 10K runners were very successful again, raising over £2,000.00 and we thank the staff, parents and carers and friends who took part, along with the usual super effort from the children in the shorter runs. The Mountain Dew are organising another Golf Day on the 5th August at Machynys and all are urged to join in if possible.

We were able to co-opt Marielle and Christianne onto the committee this year and they have proved to be enthusiastic and have come up with some new ideas. They will be voted on to the committee officially this evening and it should be stressed that we are always keen to welcome new members. Last year we added Susie Jewell to our numbers, but Susie has been very poorly. We wish her the very best.

Continuing with a personnel theme, congratulations go to Physio Jimena and husband Paco, who announced the arrival of Martín, a brother for Lucia. Just recently, more congratulations go to Simon and partner Helen, who added little Rosa to their family.

What else has the Support Group done? Our annual visit to the Pantomime was the usual big hit and we were able also to take some of our families to the Swans’ Panto at the Liberty Stadium. Some families and staff, along with committee members, were lucky enough to get to the Liberty for the presentation of our first cheque and the picture of this was in the ‘Jack’ magazine. The players were wonderful with the children and came over to chat with them, making them very happy! The Christmas Party at the Ramada Jarvis was also as big a hit as last year, despite some people going down with seasonal bugs. Thanks as usual to Santa John Salter and Elf Ceri Selman for their efforts. I think Simon should get a mention for his enthusiasm with the children and Wendy Godwin was a lovely Christmas tree! We have been able to purchase new equipment for the Therapists and continue to respond, where we can, to their lists of needs.

We are continuously looking to develop new ideas as to where the Support Group can help and we are actively considering the possibility of offering help with Counselling and Play Therapy at the moment. We have developed a new ‘Mission Statement’ and this can be supplied to those who wish. Part of this has been that we agree to sponsor meetings, including coffee mornings and lunches for parents and carers to get together. We have managed to organise no fewer than three such events at the Marriott; these have been popular with the few that attended, but the response has been, in general, very poor. Parents and carers have asked for more of these, as well as a possible Summer Barbecue, but it will not be a justifiable cost if attendance remains so low.

At the request of various people, a new leaflet was produced during the year, to explain more about the Group and what we do. This has been available on the front desk and appears to be well received. Our thanks are due to Paul Drewson, of Blue Sky Media, who was very helpful in producing that, as well as our T-shirts for the 10K.

Once again we wish to thank the staff at the Centre, who continue to work harder than ever as the economy bites. I personally wish to thank all the committee members for all the hard work they have put in during the last year. It is really important to thank all the sponsors we have had throughout 2010/2011. We look forward to another year of success and increased awareness and participation in the Group.

Roger Gadd

(Chairman of the Swansea Children’s Therapy Centre Support Group)