Coffee, Chat and Writing in Dewsbury…

On Wednesday 19th March 23, we headed to the fantastic Howlands Centre in Dewsbury to join their weekly coffee morning. There were lots of great conversations with some lovely new volunteers and Gary and Christine (two of our regulars) joined us too (along with their gorgeous grandchild). A big thank you to Howlands for welcoming us and also hosting our Dewsbury postbox (no stamp required) and watch this space for further collaborations on the horizon.

Rock Choir Live! Fundraising evening for Give…A Few Words

A Huddersfield social enterprise raised the roof as well as much-needed cash at its first fundraising concert last week. Give… A few Words enjoyed a full house at Holmfirth Civic Hall on Friday (March 24) when it introduced Huddersfield and Dewsbury Rock Choir to an appreciative audience.

The choir of more than 80 members belted out a host of pop and rock classics, from Wham’s ‘Wake me up before you Go Go’ to Meat Loaf’s ‘I would do Anything for Love’. The concert reached a climax with an encore featuring Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’, which had members of the crowd dancing in the aisles.

Compere Adrian Wales of LDP Associates raised lots of giggles and a very popular raffle featured prizes from the Huddersfield Giants, Morrisons, Ashmount Country House, Haworth, and other local and national businesses.

Give…A Few Words was created by Huddersfield resident Sharron Wilkinson during lockdown. It encourages volunteers to write personalised letters and post art and crafts for delivery to people who suffer from isolation and loneliness.

Sharron says receiving a letter or a package can make a huge difference to people’s lives.

“People quite often can’t believe that someone they don’t know has been kind enough to send them a personalised Gift of Letters. It gives people a boost, not just on the day of receiving them but many keep the packages to read again and again. It really does make a big difference.”

Give…A few Words volunteers were represented in both the choir and the audience at Friday’s concert. Rock Choir soprano and letter writing volunteer Emma of Honley said “There’s something really magical about a handwritten letter. We get so much post now, it’s really unusual to get an actual letter. When you get a letter with your name on it you think ‘someone has taken the time to do this’. It’s like someone saying ‘you matter, you’re important’.”

Rock Choir soprano and volunteer Charlotte of Lindley added: “I found it during lockdown because I wanted to give something back. It makes me feel good knowing that I’m helping someone. It’s an incredible feeling when you get to sit down and write. It can feel daunting and hard to get started but when you start it’s hard to stop.”

Volunteers Gill and Sue of Mirfield Rotary Club were in the audience enjoying the show. Gill became aware of Give…A Few Words via Batley and Spen MP Kim Leadbeater and the Jo Cox Foundation. “I said I’d love to do that because there’s so many people in care homes that don’t get any visitors.” Sue added “ Give… A Few Words puts together absolutely wonderful packs full of letters and gifts. It’s brilliant…”

Rock Choir leader Narelle, who has been running the choir for eight years, said: “When I heard about Give…A Few Words. I thought we’ve got to support this. The work they do is absolutely brilliant.”

The event raised more than £800, which will help support Give…A Few Words activities in Kirklees.  Sharron said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to the Rock Choir, Adrian and everyone who attended or supported the evening. We had a an absolutely fantastic night, people were kind and generous, the choir incredible and there was a lot of smiles, singing and even some dancing!

“….from the care team and residents, we were overwhelmed with the quality and quantity of letters we received at Christmas time.

The energy and buzz these caused through the home lasted for days. Many of the residents said it was the best Christmas present they could receive.

A truly overwhelming and heart-warming experience”