The Kingsclere Charities
There are three separate charities under the title Kingsclere Charities
For information and application forms, please contact -
Mr C R Forth, Clerk to the Trustees, POBox 7721, Kingsclere, RG20 5WQ. Telephone: 07796 423108

The Almshouses Charity - This charity is responsible for ten one-bedroom bungalows and a wardens bungalow at The Durbidges, Galley Lane, Headley. The bungalows which are set in pleasant grounds are suitable for retired married couples and single people. The Browns Bungalows in George Street, Kingsclere are also part of this charity. These are two dwellings consisting of one bed-sitting room, a small kitchen, a bathroom and toilet. They are, of course, only suitable for single people.

The Welfare Charity - This charity helps those in need in the Parishes of Kingsclere and Ashford Hill with Headley. This help is available for all ages. Grants have been given towards the provision of - motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters for the disabled - stairlifts and installation costs - medical equipment, such as nebulisers - various aids to make life easier for the sick and disabled - travel costs to and from hospital.

The Robert Higham Charity - This charity is divided into two parts:-
(i) The Robert Higham Apprentices Charity. This charity helps students and apprentices from the age of 16-25. Grants are given towards the purchase of - books and materials - equipment - tools - special clothing which is essential to a particular course, such as catering, agriculture and horticulture. Assistance is also given with the cost of travel to/ from college and University. The charity has helped many students through 6th form college and on through University as well as plumbing, bricklaying and motor engineering apprentices.
(ii) The Robert Higham Educational Charity This charity helps Kingsclere Primary School and Ashford Hill Primary School with annual donations of between £1,000-£1,500 to assist with projects which the schools are undertaking and which are not funded by Hampshire County Council. Grants under all these charities are entirely at the discretion of the Trustees and are subject to the availability of funds.

Living Paintings Trust
Queen Isabelle House, Unit 8, Kingsclere Park, RG20 4SW
Tel: (01635) 299771 Fax: (01635) 299771 E-Mail: lpt@livingpaintings.org

The Trust is a registered charity and its work benefits thousands of visually impaired children, young people and adults throughout the UK and Eire. Formed in 1989, the Trust has designed a touch and sound system which brings pictures to life. Using this system we create unique packs. The essential components for which are threefold:

• Raised images, known as thermoforms, which explain the special shape and characteristics of the pictures that are being "looked" at through touch;
  
• Audio descriptions which tell the stories of the pictures, describe their wonderful visual features and provide instructions for touching and interpreting the thermoforms;
  
• Colour reproductions of the pictures which, very importantly, make it possible for the packs to be shared with sighted friends, family and peers.

The packs, specifically designed for different ages, provide access for those who can not see to interesting, stimulating and enjoyable pictures. The breadth, scope and range of the packs increases continuously.

Our postal library service is completely free to Library Members. For information about who can become a Library Member and how to join the Library please contact us .

A locally based charity, Sail 4 Cancer was set up in 2001 with the aim of raising funds not only for cancer treatment and research, but also to improve the quality of life for people living with cancer, helping them rebuild their confidence and regain a positive outlook. This is achieved through the provision of respite opportunities. For more information please see the website or contact us.

Sailing towards freedom from cancer.

Riding for the Disabled Association
KINGSCLERE GROUP
Contact: Mrs A Davies Telephone: 0845 450 7040

Please remember that all our County Chairman are volunteers. If you can not reach them immediately please do try again later. Please clearly speak your name and number when leaving a message

St Michael’s Hospice - Basingstoke

Who We Are
St. Michael's Hospice (North Hampshire) opened in 1992 and is acknowledged as being a provider of the highest quality and standard of specialist palliative and supportive care for North Hampshire.

The Area We Cover
We serve North Hampshire with 45% of patient admissions coming from outside Basingstoke.

Who We Care For
All our patients have diseases for which there is no cure and the emphasis of care is maximising the quality of life remaining. The majority of our patients have cancer but we also care for those with other chronic life-limiting illnesses. Our services are geared to providing for adults who have complex physical, emotional and social needs. Around 8% of patients admitted are under 50 years old, 25% under the age of 65. Family support is a significant and expanding part of our work. The majority of patients want to stay at home for as long as possible. Our Team work closely with professionals in the community to enable around 43% of patients to achieve this objective.

Our Services
A major part of our clinical work in the In-Patient Unit is managing patients' pain and other symptoms. This is conducted by our skilled nursing team and consultant led medical team. Our multi-professional team also includes a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Complementary Therapists Chaplaincy, Family and Bereavement Support. We have recently introduced a new service, the Therapeutic Clinic geared at helping people to adapt to advanced illness. Day Care patients benefit from professional advice and comradeship and participate in a wide range of activities. Our Community Nursing Service provides practical nursing care for patients in their own homes and respite for their families and carers. The Community Nurses support the work of the District Nurse Team. Service expansion is underway. The Bereavement Service offers families of Hospice patients and their children continuing support. A compact team of Housekeepers and Chefs support these patient and familyfocused services.

Regular fundraising events are held in Kingsclere during the year in support of St Michael’s Hospice. Look for information in the “Kingsclere Tower” magazine.

Friends of Kingsclere School
Contact: AAmanda Hatcher Telephone: 01635 299984

We run various fund raising events during the year. Summer Fete, Christmas Fayre, Village Fireworks, Car Boot Sales, Beetle Nights and much more.

See our announcements in the “Kingsclere Tower” magazine for forthcoming events.