Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind issued a guide containing several sober-friendly ideas for people looking to enjoy an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve.

It did this because the holiday period can pose a particular challenge for people recovering from alcoholism, due to social pressures and the presence of alcohol at many end-of-year celebrations.

Mind’s sober New Year’s Eve suggestions included hosting a sober game night or movie marathon or embarking on an outdoor adventure with friends.

The charity also advised taking some time to reflect mindfully on the past year, either through journaling or some midnight meditation.

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Other guidance included attending a sober support group meeting, looking out for any alcohol-free New Year’s Eve events nearby, or giving back by volunteering for a cause.

A spokesperson for Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind said: “New Year’s Eve is often filled with celebrations, parties and toasts. But for those in addiction recovery, navigating a night full of temptations can be challenging.

“Sobriety doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun! There are plenty of exciting ways to make New Year’s Eve memorable without jeopardizing your recovery.”

The charity’s Access Community Mental Health service in Swindon also offers appointments as long as 50 minutes, 365 days a year, for anyone over the age of 16 who is seeking mental health support.

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Mum Chelsea Loader, 32, said that her son Archie, from Stanway, came to her recently saying that he wanted to make a difference to support Cancer Research UK.

It culminated in him completing a charity run around Colchester on New Year’s Eve.

She said: “He referred to his friend, a young cancer survivor, who had inspired him with their strength and resilience.

“Archie’s mission is to help more children like this, get back to doing the things they love, and he decided that he could help by raising funds and awareness for cancer research.

Support – Friends and family also ran with Archie (Image: Submitted) Archie also set up his own training plan which involved getting up early to run before school alongside his dad – who ran the race alongside friends with Archie.

Archie ran 8.5km, or 5.3 miles, on a morning run on December 31, going around Axial Way and finishing at the Colchester Sports Park in the Northern Gateway in just over 52 minutes.

Celebration – Archie finishing his charity run outside of Colchester Sports Park (Image: Submitted) Archie was greeted by about 40 friends and family who were waiting for him with homemade banners and signs.

He said: “I’m really grateful to everyone who donated.

“It’s my passion to help people and it was amazing crossing that finish line knowing I had made a difference.”

Community – About 40 friends and family showed up for Archie on New Year’s Eve (Image: Submitted) While mum Chelsea said: “It certainly was an emotional day and there was an amazing atmosphere.

“Archie was talking to people at the sports park and telling them what he had just done – he managed to get an extra £40 of donations there.

“A stranger who had just finished chemotherapy came over to Archie and told him what an inspiration he was and donated.”

Family – Archie with his mum Chelsea and dad Michael Loader, 36, who ran the race with him (Image: Submitted) Grateful – Archie holding up the handmade signs friends and family made for him (Image: Submitted) She added: “He did so well and had lots of support, it was ‘epic’ in his own words.

“Archie is now planning his next mission and resting with family.”

As of writing, Archie has raised £1,236 with charity Cancer Research UK saying that £1,000 raised could buy imaging software for scientists which could help to test potentially life-saving treatments.

To donate visit https://gofund.me/d5b387d0

Sir John Lorimer hopes to continue promoting good causes

Helping to continue highlighting Manx charities is a key priority for the Lieutenant Governor this year.

Sir John Lorimer is the King’s representative on the Isle of Man.

He and his wife, Lady Lorimer, are also patrons of a number of charities.

Sir John says this is among his most important work:

The NSPCC’s regional centre in the town has been redecorated to now be “brighter and better”.

The work was done in partnership with a local company, volunteers, and schoolchildren.

The main entrance was given a makeover with colourful paint and new display boards.

The rooms have been freshly painted, and the entrance and stairwell have been transformed with vibrant displays created by volunteers and children.

Read more: Swindon’s best primary schools for maths and English

A new “handprint corner” invites staff, volunteers, and service users to leave colourful handprints and positive messages.

Artwork was also contributed by students from Pyrland School in Taunton.

Much of the work was done by volunteers from West Swindon-based financial firm, The Openwork Partnership.

The company, which regularly donates Christmas presents for children, delivered gifts at the hub last week.

Stuart Lusty, from The Openwork Partnership, said: “The NSPCC asked if we would help with the renovation and we were more than happy to help.

“We have already had comments saying that it looks better which we are delighted about.

“We are always pleased to work with the NSPCC, we like to get involved with the Christmas gifting each year and want to support the work that the charity does in helping children who need it most.”

Pyrland School also contributed to the refurbishments by creating artwork for the new display boards.

Read more: Puy du Fou’s development timescale for site near Swindon

Lisa Webber, headteacher at Pyrland School, said: “Pyrland School was delighted to be approached to collaborate on this art project with the NSPCC.

“We put a real emphasis on real-life experiences and enrichment, so this project was perfect for us.

“The NSPCC does such important work for children everywhere and we were delighted to help.”

Andrew Freeman, NSPCC assistant director for the South West and Channel Islands, hosted a relaunch event for the hub on Friday.

He said: “One of the things we wanted to do was to make sure that children and families feel welcome and supported from the moment that they walk through the front door.

“We worked together with Openwork to make sure that the hub is easily identifiable as the NSPCC by painting the front door bright green and all of the work inside the entrance area has helped to make the hub feel so much more welcoming and child friendly.

“We also have the handprint corner which is about letting people leave their mark whether they are children or families coming here for services, staff or volunteers – everyone is welcome to leave their mark.”

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GEL Studios has named Swindon Carers Centre as its charity partner for 2025.

It will help the charity, which supports 5,700 unpaid carers in Swindon, to raise awareness of its situation, increase donations and launch a new website.

The partnership comes after the charity, which supports unpaid carers in the town, avoided closure earlier this year.

Swindon Carers Centre withdrew from the tendering process that provided 80 per cent of its income after deeming funds insufficient to maintain their services.

Read more: The best primary schools for maths, reading and writing

The charity now has 12 months to secure its future.

In January, GEL Studios will start a year-long marketing campaign to raise awareness of Swindon Carers Centre and its need for vital donations.

Graeme Leighfield, managing director at GEL Studios, said: “Businesses have a responsibility to give back and as we grow, so does our commitment to making an impact within our local community.

“In 2024, GEL Studios supported 17 local good causes and contributed over 1,000 hours of resources to short-term projects, which served as a lifeline for those organisations in their time of need.

“Next year, we will be focusing on making a year-long impact on one single organisation that needs it most.

“We’ve already completed our brand messaging workshop with the Swindon Carers Centre team and I can’t wait to see the impact we’ll make throughout 2025.”

Since 1997, Swindon Carers Centre has supported unpaid carers, championing their rights, enhancing their wellbeing, and providing services to meet their needs.

Registrations for support from the charity increased by 12 per cent in 2023-2024, but funding has struggled to keep up with demand.

Read more: Electrician STFC sponsor homeless after ‘devastating’ events

Statistics show that one in eight people are, or will become, a carer in their lifetime.

Bronte Hague, head of finance and resources at Swindon Carers Centre, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to work with GEL Studios so far.

“Their skilled and welcoming team has led us through a messaging workshop and a website scoping meeting, both of which provided us with dedicated time to reflect on the impact Swindon Carers Centre makes and our direction for 2025.

“We are thrilled to be named their charity partner of the year for 2025 and cannot thank them enough for this incredible offer.

“This partnership comes at a crucial time for Swindon Carers Centre, and we can’t wait to work with and learn from the amazing team at GEL Studios throughout 2025.”

The new website is set to launch in January, alongside the year-long campaign.

 

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The founder of a Lancaster charity helped world champion athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson win thousands for good causes on Deal or No Deal.

Barrie Wells MBE appeared on an episode of the ITV1 game show alongside the Olympic silver medal-winning heptathlete.

Millionaire sports fanatic Barrie is a long-time friend and former sponsor of the Liverpool athlete nicknamed ‘KJT’.

He founded the Barrie Wells Trust, which has an office on Dalton Square in Lancaster.

The trust provides unique and exciting experiences for children through the Box4Kids scheme, which enables seriously ill children to enjoy sporting and entertainment events from the comfort of executive boxes.

In the celebrity version of the hit show which aired on Monday evening, Katarina was joined by family, friends and fellow sportspeople including athletes Colin Jackson and Matt Hudson-Smith, who had to open boxes containing different monetary values.

KJT then had to pick a series of boxes to open, hoping to reveal the smallest value possible in the aim of winning a maximum of £100,000.

At different stages of the programme, Katarina was asked by presenter Stephen Mulhearn whether she wanted to accept a ‘deal’ from the banker or ‘no deal’ to carry on opening boxes in the hope of winning more money while also risking a lower offer.

At one point in the show, Katarina asked Barrie’s advice after being offered £2012 by the banker.

“Barrie is a mathematician and was a sponsor of mine back in 2012 (for the London Olympics),” she told Stephen Mulhearn.

Kat said ‘no deal’ based on the advice Barrie (pictured below) gave her, as he advised her to play on, and later was asked to open his box, which contained £50,000.

In the end, after further advice from Barrie urging her to take a deal, Katarina accepted an offer of £10,777 for the charities Listening Ear and Alzheimer’s Society UK.

This was a good decision as it turned out that the value of her own box was just one penny.

Barrie has founded, owned and managed insurance operations in both the UK and overseas, including Prospero Direct, which later became AXA Direct; and Premierline Direct, and founded The Barrie Wells Trust in 2008.

KJT is an athlete ambassador at The Barrie Wells Trust, alongside Olympic champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill, and Olympic 800m champion and 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Keely Hodgkinson.

Both Katarina and Keely were awarded MBEs in the King’s New Year’s Honours List yesterday.

KJT is pictured below on Deal or No Deal with her sausage dog Chorizo. Image from ITV.

Read more: Special moment as founder of Lancaster charity celebrates with Olympic golden girl Keely Hodgkinson – Beyond Radio

The founder of Oxton-based charity Amy & Friends, Jayne Hughes, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to children with DNA repair disorders in the King’s New Year Honours List 2025.

The recognition comes as Jayne and her family mark the fifth “angelversary” of their daughter Amy, who passed away on 1st January 2020.

Jayne established Amy & Friends – a charity supporting children with Cockayne Syndrome and linked DNA repair disorders and their families – in 2007, following many years of searching for a diagnosis for Amy.

Amy was eventually diagnosed at the age of 14 with DNA repair disorders Cockayne Syndrome/XRCC4. She fought many battles, led an amazing life and outlived her expected years, before her journey ended when she was just 28 years old.

Over the course of 17 years, Jayne and a small but committed team have supported – both directly and indirectly – more than 7,000 people affected by DNA repair disorders, which are conditions with no cure and for which research or information is limited.

Jayne said, “At the time I learned I was to be recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List, I was struggling with Amy’s upcoming fifth ‘angelversary’ – a term we use about the children we have lost.

“When I realised the date of the announcement and the enormous significance this will have for the charity’s ongoing work, I felt like Amy was there with me at that moment, like she’d had a hand in this.

“I accept this incredible honour but recognise it as a collective effort. Amy wanted to build something to help her friends, and I continue it as her legacy. I don’t do it alone, I have the support of a small but incredible team, scientists and medical professionals and of course our amazing families who remain at the heart of everything we do.

“I hope that this incredible recognition for Amy & Friends work will raise awareness of the challenges that children with rare DNA repair disorders and their families face and help drive positive change through support to ensure better quality of life and care, and more research for the future.”

The award is the third that Jayne has received in recent months, having also been named winner in the Women of Courage category at the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2024 and Carer of the Year at the BBC Radio Merseyside Making a Difference Awards 2024.

Jayne has continued Amy’s legacy through the work of the charity, helping children and their families in gaining diagnosis, providing information for medical papers, aiding research programmes, offering respite and 24/7 online support, organising transport and accommodation, and accompanying 10 families twice monthly to a specialist clinic in London, as well as delivering regular outreach events.

The charity also holds an annual wellbeing conference for families and worldwide specialists, which was this year attended by more than 300 people.

To find out more, visit amyandfriends.org.

Lead image: Jayne Hughes. Credit: Ray Farley

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John Lewis Kingston is not just a wonderful place to shop, meet friends and attend in-store events, it is also passionate about supporting the local community. So much so, did you know that John Lewis Kingston employs a Community Liaison Co-ordinator (CLC) to do just that?

Your local CLC works tirelessly in the community to support local charities and community groups and nurture those relationships to ensure a continuing connection with them.

The CLC oversees ‘Community Matters’, the charitable giving scheme that runs throughout John Lewis & Partners shops nationwide.

There is also a similar scheme at your local Waitrose & Partners.

Throughout the year, there are three rounds of funding, each round addressing a different theme – from health and wellbeing to nature and the environment and anything in between.

Organisations eligible for ‘Community Matters’ include charities, schools and relevant community groups.

The main criteria are that your group’s purpose must fit the theme, own a bank account in the name of your organisation and be relatively local to John Lewis.

The CLC provides support in whichever way will benefit community groups the most, either by product donation, volunteering time from John Lewis Partners, or financial support.

Since joining the Partnership in June 2023, your local John Lewis CLC has worked with 45+ charities, schools and community groups in Kingston and surrounding areas.

This has taken the form of financial donations through John Lewis’ Community Matters scheme, organising ex-display and NSV stock donations, kitchen unit and furniture donations, charity event promotion and volunteering.

Using her years of experience in digital marketing and IT, your local CLC has designed posters for local charity events and provided digital training to charities and community groups which had no in-house digital resource or expertise.

A huge advocate of networking and collaboration, she has met and connected several charities resulting in mutual gain and support for all concerned.

Indeed, your CLC hopes to run a networking event in the near future at John Lewis Kingston for local charities to connect with each other and find out firsthand how John Lewis can help support local causes.

By employing a Community Liaison Coordinator, John Lewis Kingston aims to build a deeper understanding of local charities’ missions and needs, so it can work together with locals to create more meaningful long-term impact in the local community.

John Lewis Kingston is one of our lovely sponsors.

Without their community-minded sponsorship, we wouldn’t be able to bring you local news free from overly-intrusive ads, pop-ups and clickbait.

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‘Very, very special’

‘I have volunteered all my life’

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‘I love it’

The donation comes from the Barrack Charitable Trust, which is funded by Knight Property Group.

The trust has donated almost £42,000 to 23 charities across Scotland as part of its biannual giving programme.

The money will help the charities continue their work in the communities they serve.

(Image: Knight Property Group) The Erskine Veterans Charity will use its share of the money to support the costs of its Transitional Supported Accommodation project, which provides accommodation, support, and training for 23 working-age veterans.

Gareth Toner, trusts and foundations manager at Erskine Veterans Charity, said: “Erskine Veterans Charity is thrilled to have received this generous grant from The Barrack Charitable Trust and we sincerely thank the trustees for choosing to support our veterans for the first time.

“Erskine’s Transitional Supported Accommodation (ETSA) provides modern apartments, social engagement and wraparound support for up to 23 Veterans who have recently left the Forces or are facing significant challenges in civilian life.

(Image: Knight Property Group) “Our Transitional Support Workers are dedicated to helping these Veterans access mental health support, education and training with the long-term goal of completing a successful transition into full-time employment and permanent accommodation.

“Since opening in 2021, ETSA has supported 48 vulnerable veterans to date and we will help many more veterans in need, thanks to our kind supporters like The Barrack Charitable Trust.”

James Barrack, chairman of the trust, said: “We are delighted to support Erskine Veterans Charity and their outstanding Transitional Supported Accommodation project with this grant.

“Erskine Veteran’s dedication to empowering veterans by offering them tailored assistance, from mental health services to training and education, aligns perfectly with our mission.”