Outing to the Mercers' Hall... a day to remember
The Mercers’ Company is the premier of Livery Company of the City of London with a rich history and heritage going back over 700 years. Mercers originally traded in cloth.
The FiSH outing to the Mercers’ Company on 31st October proved to be so popular that we were delighted to operate two buses. Thanks to our wonderful volunteer drivers and escorts who were able to transport our clients through London traffic to Ironmongers Lane in the City.
The beginning of the journey was somewhat rocky when one bus broke down while we were still in Barnes picking up our second client. Thanks to great teamwork from our volunteers, the outing went ahead. A replacement bus (Buttercup) was delivered within an hour by RAKAT to Walsingham Lodge where we had fortunately been able to retreat. Because we were running late, we had a snack lunch en route while the other FiSH bus enjoyed their lunch as planned in a Battersea Park Cafe. The two buses eventually met up there and we were driven by K and Dominic in convoy to the door of the Mercer’s Hall arriving at the arranged time of 2pm on the dot.
On arrival we were warmly greeted by our host Mercer, soon to be Master, Peter Lane. We gathered in the beautiful reception hall where we were provided with refreshments and able to relax in luxurious comfy sofas and chairs before we began our guided tour.
We were directed to the nearby chapel where we were shown a spectacular late medieval statue of Christ discovered buried under the Mercer’s Chapel in 1953 during excavations for the new hall. Our party was then taken to the upstairs of the building and shown the impressive dining hall and meeting rooms where the walls are covered with portraits of distinguished Mercers and historical artefacts.
Our guide gave us a fascinating insight into the Livery Company, their history, how they operate today and the tremendous work they do for Charity focusing on young people and education, older people and housing as well as church and communities. The Mercers distribute up to £15m to charitable causes each year and FiSH is fortunate to be supported by them with a three year grant towards our work.
Amongst many other Mercers’ achievements, we learnt of their connection with St Paul’s School in Barnes. In 1509 John Colet, was appointed Dean of St Pauls. He was a great believer that education was an essential for spiritual regeneration, and he founded St Pauls School to provide free education for 153 boys ‘all nations and countries’. In the same year he was admitted to the Mercer Company and subsequently entrusted the management of the school to the Mercers’.
We have had wonderful feedback of the day from our clients. One wrote ‘Can I thank FiSH so very much for a wonderful day at the Mercers’. The volunteers went over and above all duties making it a fantastic trip out for us!! A day for us all to remember!
The FiSH outing to the Mercers’ Company on 31st October proved to be so popular that we were delighted to operate two buses. Thanks to our wonderful volunteer drivers and escorts who were able to transport our clients through London traffic to Ironmongers Lane in the City.
The beginning of the journey was somewhat rocky when one bus broke down while we were still in Barnes picking up our second client. Thanks to great teamwork from our volunteers, the outing went ahead. A replacement bus (Buttercup) was delivered within an hour by RAKAT to Walsingham Lodge where we had fortunately been able to retreat. Because we were running late, we had a snack lunch en route while the other FiSH bus enjoyed their lunch as planned in a Battersea Park Cafe. The two buses eventually met up there and we were driven by K and Dominic in convoy to the door of the Mercer’s Hall arriving at the arranged time of 2pm on the dot.
On arrival we were warmly greeted by our host Mercer, soon to be Master, Peter Lane. We gathered in the beautiful reception hall where we were provided with refreshments and able to relax in luxurious comfy sofas and chairs before we began our guided tour.
We were directed to the nearby chapel where we were shown a spectacular late medieval statue of Christ discovered buried under the Mercer’s Chapel in 1953 during excavations for the new hall. Our party was then taken to the upstairs of the building and shown the impressive dining hall and meeting rooms where the walls are covered with portraits of distinguished Mercers and historical artefacts.
Our guide gave us a fascinating insight into the Livery Company, their history, how they operate today and the tremendous work they do for Charity focusing on young people and education, older people and housing as well as church and communities. The Mercers distribute up to £15m to charitable causes each year and FiSH is fortunate to be supported by them with a three year grant towards our work.
Amongst many other Mercers’ achievements, we learnt of their connection with St Paul’s School in Barnes. In 1509 John Colet, was appointed Dean of St Pauls. He was a great believer that education was an essential for spiritual regeneration, and he founded St Pauls School to provide free education for 153 boys ‘all nations and countries’. In the same year he was admitted to the Mercer Company and subsequently entrusted the management of the school to the Mercers’.
We have had wonderful feedback of the day from our clients. One wrote ‘Can I thank FiSH so very much for a wonderful day at the Mercers’. The volunteers went over and above all duties making it a fantastic trip out for us!! A day for us all to remember!
Chair Exercise Class
Chair-based exercise classes are designed to help improve strength and balance, especially aiding the muscles used in everyday activity. The exercises are performed from the comfort of a chair and each exercise is performed at a pace that suits the individual. As from January 8th, and in association with Sheen Lane Health Centre, FiSH will be running a weekly exercise class at 3:00pm at Sheen Lane Health Centre.
The facilitator will be Victoria Hutton and each session will last 45 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits. Participants do not need to book but will be asked to register on arrival and to give a donation of £4 per session to help cover costs.
For further details please call 020 8876 3336.
The facilitator will be Victoria Hutton and each session will last 45 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits. Participants do not need to book but will be asked to register on arrival and to give a donation of £4 per session to help cover costs.
For further details please call 020 8876 3336.
- Currently on hold due to Coronavirus
New face at FiSH... Clare Smith
We are delighted to welcome Clare who will be joining us for the first few months of 2020 on a charity secondment courtesy of the John Lewis Partnership’s Golden Jubilee Trust. Clare, who is Team Manager at Waitrose in East Sheen, will be released by Waitrose who will pay her salary in full while releasing her to work for FiSH for 2.5 days a week. Clare is already a familiar face to many FiSH members. Waitrose has been very supportive of FiSH events such as Open Gardens and the Retro Café, supporting us with both donations in-kind and with releasing staff to volunteer for us. Clare will be working for FiSH in an engagement role – championing our activities in SW14, developing participation at our regular events as well as recruiting new members and volunteers in the area. We are extremely grateful to Waitrose for this wonderful opportunity to bring in an experienced manager who is so enthusiastic about our work. Thank you!
“I am really looking forward to the opportunity to work alongside FiSH next year" commented Clare. "I am hoping to share my skills and pick up new ones. I have supported FiSH for the past 3 years through Waitrose and have been inspired with the great work you do in the community which I have enjoyed being part of."
“I am really looking forward to the opportunity to work alongside FiSH next year" commented Clare. "I am hoping to share my skills and pick up new ones. I have supported FiSH for the past 3 years through Waitrose and have been inspired with the great work you do in the community which I have enjoyed being part of."
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Picassos in the Park ExhibitionThe members of our Picassos in the Park group recently visited the London Wetland Centre and the art they produced after that visit are currently exhibited at the Wetlands.
Picassos in the Park, supported by FiSH, run weekly art workshops for people living with early dementia. |
Barnes Fair 2019
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Blessed with another beautifully sunny day, Barnes Fair took place, as always, on the second Saturday in July. We had our popular cake and plant stalls, both of which had sold out by the end of the afternoon. Our even more popular bottle tombola drew the crowds throughout the day and many thirsty visitors to the Fair took advantage of our chilled water top-up point. We are enormously grateful to everyone who donated cakes, plants and bottles and to all those who gave up their time to 'man' the stalls. We raised just over £2,500 on the day!
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Open Gardens 2019
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Sunday 9th June was a marvellous day for our Open Gardens afternoon in East Sheen. The sun may not have shone very brightly but the buzz of conversation in every garden as neighbours introduced themselves to each other and discussed whether this plant was 'Angelica' or that rose was a 'Gertrude Jekyll' was heart-warming! Huge thanks to everyone who supported FiSH by generously opening their gardens, to the volunteers who helped in gardens or by pouring tea and Pimm's - and to all who visited the gardens. We hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did!
This wonderful community event, enjoyed this year by over 700 people, has also been a fantastic fundraiser, raising over £10,000 before costs. We are most grateful to MESS for their support and to Savills' for their generous sponsorship. |
Marathon Man
This year FiSH has been extremely fortunate to have our very own marathon runner – Graham Baker. Graham is one of our trustees and on the 26th of May 2019 he ran in the Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds for us. Since joining us last year, Graham who is an accountant, has been working closely with Michael French our treasurer. Graham lives with his family in Sheen and decided to take up running again after being inspired by his eldest son who ran the London marathon last year. Graham trained hard for months and overcame an injury to do this for us.
All the hard work and effort paid off however and Graham raised over £2,373 for FiSH. Many thanks to all those who sponsored him... and congratulations Graham!
All the hard work and effort paid off however and Graham raised over £2,373 for FiSH. Many thanks to all those who sponsored him... and congratulations Graham!
Wednesday Walkers
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Our Wednesday Walkers had a beautiful walk in July, starting off from Pembroke Lodge and making their way back across Richmond Park to Bog Gate and then through Sheen Common and back to the Home Guard Club for tea. (Photos © Jan Henderson) The walks tale place on the THIRD Wednesday of each month… email info@fishhelp.org.uk if you would like to join them!
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Jenny Hughes receives British Empire Medal
Jenny Hughes received her British Empire Medal in a ceremony held at The Tower of London. She was accompanied for this special occasion by her husband, Andy, and also Crispin O'Brien, Chair of FiSH.
''I was truly honoured to be recognised for this award and the ceremony today was a humbling experience to be with such a variety of people who have served their communities in so many amazing ways. Thanks to all those people who have made FiSH what it is today.''
''I was truly honoured to be recognised for this award and the ceremony today was a humbling experience to be with such a variety of people who have served their communities in so many amazing ways. Thanks to all those people who have made FiSH what it is today.''
Picassos in the Park Art Classes
FiSH Neighbourhood Care has stepped in with funding to enable the popular art workshops delivered by Picassos in the Park to carry on in Barnes. The workshops, which are open to people living with early stage dementia and their carers, will now continue this summer and offer participants a chance to be creative together. Classes will run on Tuesdays from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at the OSO Arts Centre. To find out more or book a place, please contact Liz on 020 8878 8100 or by email.
Coffee Morning at Rick Stein Barnes
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FiSH and the area’s top seafood restaurant proved to be a terrific combination on Wednesday 6th February. That’s when Rick Stein Barnes hosted a coffee morning to raise funds for FiSH Neighbourhood Care. Huge thanks to Paul Hough, General Manager and all his team for making us so welcome. Over 70 attended to consume coffee and cake and support the ‘FISHY’ raffle which included some super prizes including a voucher from Rick Stein, a lobster from The Barnes FiSH Shop, a luxury hamper and other goodies. The event raised a grand total of £786! Thank you to everyone who attended and made the event a success.
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Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
The FiSH team made up of Micky Forster, Liz Wall, Sally Godstone, Shena Macdonald, Deidre Munro and Steve Chapman were delighted to represent the charity at a special presentation event for QAVS Winners from Greater London, kindly hosted by RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) at their London office in Bishopsgate on Tuesday 11th September 2018.
Micky collected the award from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK and recognises the importance of our work with older people in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen to combat loneliness and social isolation. FiSH were among twenty winners of the Award in Greater London this year.
Micky collected the award from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK and recognises the importance of our work with older people in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen to combat loneliness and social isolation. FiSH were among twenty winners of the Award in Greater London this year.
Barclays staff walking from Billingsgate to Barnes to fundraise for FiSH
The Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics Team at Barclays Corporate Banking in Canary Wharf did a half marathon fundraising walk for FiSH on Monday 29th October. Some 20 individuals left East London at 08:00 and when they reach Barnes at lunchtime dropped into the Retro Café at St Michael and All Angels to help our volunteers. Led by Nikki Barrington, our ace fundraiser and marathon runner, the team challenged themselves to raise £3,000.
Dame Mary Peters
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On Tuesday July 3rd Dame Mary Peters, Olympian and first lady of British athletics, spoke at our Tuesday Talk and was then interviewed in the evening by sports journalist Vassos Alexander at the OSO. At this fundraising event for FiSH, the audience enthusiastically relived her gold medal winning triumph at the Munich Olympics in 1972. We are extremely grateful to Mary for entertaining and inspiring us as well as raising over £1400 for FISH. Huge thanks also to everyone who supported the event and to the OSO for hosting it.
As well as her amazing sports career as an athlete, team manager and ambassador, Mary has her own charitable trust - the Mary Peters' Trust which helps young sports people in Northern Ireland achieve their potential. You can find out more about this at: http://marypeterstrust.org/ |
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Royal Wedding Tea Party
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Here at FiSH we do like a good tea party! Bone china, sandwiches and cakes, scones with jam and cream... and what better excuse could there be than celebrating the marriage of Prince Harry! On Friday May 18th, the day before the wedding of Harry and Meghan, almost 100 guests came to Barnes Green for a party arranged jointly by FiSH and Age UK Richmond. Afternoon tea was served and the guests entertained by a Skiffle band!
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New Director
Micky Forster, a long-term Barnes resident and trustee of Barnes Community Association, will be joining FiSH Neighbourhood Care as Executive Director in February 2018.
Micky says ‘’I am delighted to be joining FiSH, a charity that delivers a much needed and unique blend of practical help and emotional support to older and vulnerable people in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen through its amazing staff and volunteers.
Having parents in their 90s still living at home in the area, I believe passionately in helping people to maintain their independence so they can do as much as they can for as long as they can.
I hope my experience from 10 years in the charity sector, knowledge of the area, local contacts and community organisations will enable me to effectively champion this trusted organisation. I feel very proud to be joining FiSH at this exciting time to help this wonderful charity meet the growing needs in our local community.’’
Micky started her career in sales and marketing in the airline and travel industry and has spent the last 10 years working as a fundraiser at Turn2us, Bowel & Cancer Research and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. She has also been a Samaritan’s listening volunteer for nearly 25 years.
Crispin O’Brien, chair of FiSH, commented, “It will be hard to follow Jenny Hughes who has done a great job for over 17 years but we are really lucky to have found someone so committed to our cause, so well connected in SW13 and SW14 and already involved with our community. Micky will provide leadership and help us put our strategy into effect in the challenging years ahead.”
Micky says ‘’I am delighted to be joining FiSH, a charity that delivers a much needed and unique blend of practical help and emotional support to older and vulnerable people in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen through its amazing staff and volunteers.
Having parents in their 90s still living at home in the area, I believe passionately in helping people to maintain their independence so they can do as much as they can for as long as they can.
I hope my experience from 10 years in the charity sector, knowledge of the area, local contacts and community organisations will enable me to effectively champion this trusted organisation. I feel very proud to be joining FiSH at this exciting time to help this wonderful charity meet the growing needs in our local community.’’
Micky started her career in sales and marketing in the airline and travel industry and has spent the last 10 years working as a fundraiser at Turn2us, Bowel & Cancer Research and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. She has also been a Samaritan’s listening volunteer for nearly 25 years.
Crispin O’Brien, chair of FiSH, commented, “It will be hard to follow Jenny Hughes who has done a great job for over 17 years but we are really lucky to have found someone so committed to our cause, so well connected in SW13 and SW14 and already involved with our community. Micky will provide leadership and help us put our strategy into effect in the challenging years ahead.”
Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
FiSH Neighbourhood Care, has won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. (FiSH stands for Friendship, Independence, Help and Support). FiSH exists to combat loneliness and social isolation in older and vulnerable people living in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen so that they continue to live independent and dignified lives. Through their 300 strong volunteer network they connect the community offering friendship, support and practical help.
Receiving the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups, represents a tremendous achievement for the charity and its volunteers.
Crispin O’Brien, Chair of FiSH said “Everyone who volunteers for FiSH should feel immensely proud of the recognition that this award represents. They should never underestimate the value of their service to the local community and the difference they make to people’s lives. Without the goodwill and generosity of our dedicated volunteers none of FiSH’s activities would be possible. In 2017/8 FiSH volunteers gave 32,500 hours of their time to help older and vulnerable people in SW13 and SW14. It would require over 18 full time trained staff to replace these hours at a cost to Richmond Council of over £580,000 every year.”
Micky Forster, Director at FiSH commented “Volunteers are our life blood. We are lucky to have so many wonderful people carrying out a range of roles as befrienders, car drivers, bus escorts, minibus drivers, shoppers, listeners, cake makers, fundraisers, event organisers, dementia friends, speakers, gardeners, handy people, helpline co-ordinators and trustees. However we always need more volunteers. If you live in Barnes, Mortlake or East Sheen and have a few hours to spare, please join us. We’ll provide you with support and training and you’ll get more back than you can ever imagine”.
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Receiving the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups, represents a tremendous achievement for the charity and its volunteers.
Crispin O’Brien, Chair of FiSH said “Everyone who volunteers for FiSH should feel immensely proud of the recognition that this award represents. They should never underestimate the value of their service to the local community and the difference they make to people’s lives. Without the goodwill and generosity of our dedicated volunteers none of FiSH’s activities would be possible. In 2017/8 FiSH volunteers gave 32,500 hours of their time to help older and vulnerable people in SW13 and SW14. It would require over 18 full time trained staff to replace these hours at a cost to Richmond Council of over £580,000 every year.”
Micky Forster, Director at FiSH commented “Volunteers are our life blood. We are lucky to have so many wonderful people carrying out a range of roles as befrienders, car drivers, bus escorts, minibus drivers, shoppers, listeners, cake makers, fundraisers, event organisers, dementia friends, speakers, gardeners, handy people, helpline co-ordinators and trustees. However we always need more volunteers. If you live in Barnes, Mortlake or East Sheen and have a few hours to spare, please join us. We’ll provide you with support and training and you’ll get more back than you can ever imagine”.
edit.
FiSH Sunday 2018
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We celebrated FiSH Sunday on February 4th, this year hosted by East Sheen Baptist Church. The theme was Back to Basics: Who is my neighbour? as we remembered how FiSH began and celebrated all that it has become. As always, the afternoon ended with lots of tea and cake and good company.
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Harvest Tea Party
St Michael & All Angels Church in Barnes celebrates it's 150th anniversary in 2017. As part of the celebrations, FiSH was invited to arrange a community tea party and this took place on Saturday October 7th 2017. With music from Saxanova, and a film by Tom Stanier about days gone by in Barnes (featuring FiSH members, Ellen and George) plus plenty of tea, scones, chat and laughter... a lovely day was had by all!
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Rambert Dance
Last year, FiSH ran a pilot series of dance classes led Rambert Ballet which proved to be extremely popular. Dance is known to have positive effects on those with Parkinsons and dementia but is also an excellent form of exercise for older people. We are delighted that the Richmond Parish Lands charity have funded a series of three terms throughout 2017. The sessions now take place every Friday morning at Barnes Green Centre. Please call Linda on 020 8876 3336 for further details or to book. Cost per session, £5.
Open Gardens 2017
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Thank you to everyone who supported our Open Gardens weekend in East Sheen. 30 gardens were open on May 20th & 21st, teas were served, Pimms was poured, classic cars gleamed and the gardens looked amazing! After a week of almost non-stop rain, we were fortunate to have good weather, enabling visitors to enjoy the gardens are their very best. Such events require a cast of thousands and we are very grateful to all those who worked so hard to make the event the success that it was. Over £8,000 was raised, a proportion of which will be shared with the Mortlake with East Sheen Society.
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Barnes Fair 2017
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Thank you to everyone who so generously supported FiSH via Barnes Fair. We raised £2,073.55 via our tombola, cake and plant stalls and are hugely grateful to all those who donated prizes, baked wonderful cakes, gave plants... of came to the various stalls to spend money!
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FiSH Sunday 2017
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We had a wonderful day on Sunday February 5th 2017, celebrating FiSH Sunday and our 55th Anniversary at St Mary's Barnes. Many thanks to all those who came, made cakes and sandwiches, drove cars and buses, sang, spoke, shared their stories... and drank tea!
Andy and Jenny Hughes created a 'fishnet', spinning threads across the congregation linking Helpline volunteers to FiSH clients, to FiSH befrienders and on to volunteer shoppers, back to the FiSH office, across to RaKAT, the FiSH Trustees and on to choir members, drivers, escorts, bus passengers.... reminding us all that FiSH is all about Connecting Communities. |
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Be Safe at Home
Have you got a key safe? They are an excellent idea and provide a secure way for your carers or a neighbour of your choosing to visit you without ringing the doorbell or having their own key. However if you change care agency, remember it’s a good idea to change the access number for your key safe. Do call our Helpline on 8876 3414 if you need help with this.
It is also wise to give a key to your home to a trusted neighbour. We all forget our keys occasionally and find ourselves on the wrong side of a locked door! But sometimes, you may need help or need someone to reach you quickly and easily. Having a reliable key holder could make all the difference to your well-being in the event of an accident.
There have been a number of local scams recently: please be extra careful when withdrawing cash at local cash machines and cover your pin number when paying for groceries at Waitrose or other supermarkets.
It is also wise to give a key to your home to a trusted neighbour. We all forget our keys occasionally and find ourselves on the wrong side of a locked door! But sometimes, you may need help or need someone to reach you quickly and easily. Having a reliable key holder could make all the difference to your well-being in the event of an accident.
There have been a number of local scams recently: please be extra careful when withdrawing cash at local cash machines and cover your pin number when paying for groceries at Waitrose or other supermarkets.
Walking the Talk
A group of trustees and friends of FiSH Neighbourhood Care set out at the end of October to raise fund for FiSH hiking together around a five mile circuit of Richmond Park. Also taking part in the sponsored walk was Cllr Brian Marcel, ‘Champion for older residents’ for LBRUT, an enthusiastic supporter for the work of FiSH in our community. The sponsored walk launched a campaign to raise enough money to pay for a new fully accessible minibus while, at the same time, ensuring FiSH can remain on a firm financial footing for the future. The target for the campaign is £50,000 and a great start was made during the walk with over £2,000 raised by the trustees. Thank you to all those who walked or made donations!
If you would like to donate to FiSH click here or talk to us on 020 8876 3336 to find out about other fund raising opportunities.
If you would like to donate to FiSH click here or talk to us on 020 8876 3336 to find out about other fund raising opportunities.
FiSH Annual Subscriptions
The annual membership fee for accessing FiSH services has remained at £10 since it was introduced some years ago. From September 2016 this is being increased to £15 and this will help us to continue providing and developing our range of services. We hope everyone will agree that this still represents very good value for money.
Singing Scales
The Singing Scales Choir is a popular activity of FiSH and is ably led by volunteer Jean Oxley, and it meets for a couple of rehearsals each month on Monday afternoons. Singing is good for your health and well-being as it can improve your breathing - but being part of choir is also good fun and provides an opportunity to meet others. New members of the choir are always welcome and the only requirement is for members to have enthusiasm! From September, the Choir will be rehearsing in a new venue: Barnes Baptist Church, Lonsdale Road. New members are always welcome. Please call the FiSH Office for further details – 020 8876 3335.
Challenge Anneka
Anneka Rice has been a keen FiSH volunteer for some time and regularly visits one of our clients in Barnes. She is passionate about befriending and has become an ambassador for both befriending and FiSH - and that is something we are hugely grateful for. She was recently interviewed on the ITV programe 'This Morning' and rather than go alone, she took Sylvia with her. Her challenge to those watching was 'This is not difficult, it's something anyone can do.' Immediately after the interview, our phones were red hot with calls and emails coming in from Scotland to Cornwall, Kent to Birmingham to Sunderland. There is obviously a willingness to get involved... so our challenge to those who run befriending schemes up and down the country would be to advertise your service. Together we can combat loneliness!
Lunchtime Concerts
ach month, apart from August, the FiSH Lunchtime Concert takes place on the first Friday of the month at St Michael & All Angel's Community Centre, Barnes. After a simple lunch of soup, bread, cheese, fruit and something for a sweet tooth everyone sits back for some musical entertainment. The music varies from month to month and in May we welcomed Rosalind O'Dowd who delighted her audience with a few arias followed by some favourite songs from Oklahoma! and My Fair Lady.
If you have an elderly friend who loves music, why not encourage them to come to the next concert? Call 020 8876 3336 for further details.
If you have an elderly friend who loves music, why not encourage them to come to the next concert? Call 020 8876 3336 for further details.
FiSH Helpline
Our Helpline is open Monday to Friday from 09:00-12:00. Please do make use of this by calling 020 8876 3414 if you need help with transport for medical or social appointments or if you need some shopping done. Although we cannot help with personal care, we can help with simple things around the home like replacing light bulbs, occasional gardening tasks or at other times when you just need a useful helping hand. Please call as early as possible in the day and, for medical appointments, please try and give us at least two days’ notice.
Gentle Dance Classes run by Ballet Rambert
A recent Tuesday Talk given by a member of Rambert Dance received rave reviews and we are delighted that we have been able to arrange a six week series of gentle dance classes for FiSH members and others who are interested. The first session will begin at 10:30am on Friday June 17th at Barnes Green. Dance has been proved to help keep both the body and brain young so do come and join the group. The culmination of the sessions will be a visit to Rambert Studios and Archives which will take place on Saturday July 23rd. Call the FiSH office to express your interest.
Wednesday Walkers
On Wednesday March 16th our Wednesday Walkers, enjoyed another bracing walk in Richmond Park. This time the group included 13 walkers and three well-behaved dogs! FiSH bus driver Annie dropped the group off at the Isabella carpark and they then walked back through Isabella Plantation arriving at the Home Guard Club for afternoon tea later in the afternoon.
Next month the group will meet at Sheen Gate at 1:30pm on Wednesday April 20th with the intention of walking from Ham House along the river to Richmond. New members are always welcome. Contact Andy for further details.
Next month the group will meet at Sheen Gate at 1:30pm on Wednesday April 20th with the intention of walking from Ham House along the river to Richmond. New members are always welcome. Contact Andy for further details.
Brush Up Your Shakespeare!
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Our annual concert took place on Saturday November 14th 2015 at Wathen Hall, St Paul's School. Despite the ghastly weather, the concert was well attended and everyone enjoyed the music and readings, all of which followed a Shakespearean theme.
Many people helped to make the evening a success and the stars of the evening were the Barnes Concert Band, Abigail Cruttenden, Joe Fraser, Denys Graham, Michael Steffan, the 'Flamin' Dames' and Alison Wilson. However, as always, there was a cast of thousands working behind the scenes for weeks beforehand and on the night. THANK YOU to you all! |
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Volunteers' Outing to Charleston Manor
Our volunteers are an amazing group of people, many of whom are incredibly generous with their time - so we thought it might be nice to reward them with an outing of their own. On a gloriously sunny day in early October, one of the FiSH buses set off for a very enjoyable day in Sussex. The group visited Charleston Manor at the foot of the South Downs before going on for tea in the beautiful village of Alfriston.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
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On Friday September 25th, FiSH held a joint Macmillan Coffee Morning at Barnes Green Centre together with AgeUK. There were lots of delicious things on sale thanks to Country Markets. An impressive £400 was raised for this good cause - so many thanks to all who contributed!
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Wednesday Walkers
A group of eight FiSH Wednesday Walkers set off together on a very pleasant sunny afternoon in February. They followed a planned route through Two Storm Wood in Richmond Park, across to Holly Lodge and then on to Cambrian Gate. Here they paused to consider the location of the South African Military Hospital which from 1916-18 accommodated up to 900 wounded South African soldiers; there are no visible traces but perhaps some spectral remnants. It was then onward to Bog Gate (the thickness of the mud in the approaches making it all too obvious why it bears this name!) The walkers then followed a path through Sheen Common and back to the Home Guard Club for tea – all in just under an hour and a half.
New walkers will be welcome! If you know someone who may be interested call 020 8876 3335 for details or email info@fishhelp.org.uk
New walkers will be welcome! If you know someone who may be interested call 020 8876 3335 for details or email info@fishhelp.org.uk
Wednesday Walkers
A convivial band of 10 men and three dogs set off from the Home Guard Club for their afternoon walk in Richmond Park on Wednesday November 18th. It was a very blustery day and they were buffeted by the wind on all sides but cleverly timed their walk perfectly to miss the rain. Safely back inside the Home Guard Club at 3pm they enjoyed lemon drizzle cake and cups of tea provided by Jenny, Sheena and Martine while the rain did its worst outside.
Launch of Wednesday Walkers Men's Group
The first meeting of our new group for men, Wednesday Walkers, got off to a very damp start in September! Undeterred by the rain, three keen men set off from the Home Guard Club in East Sheen, went for an hours' walk in Richmond Park, before returning, somewhat bedraggled, for tea at the Club.
However, they were enthusiastic enough to plan further walks in hope of better weather! If you, or a man you know, would like to join them, contact Andy for further details.
However, they were enthusiastic enough to plan further walks in hope of better weather! If you, or a man you know, would like to join them, contact Andy for further details.
Memories & Music from the 'Great War'
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We had a marvellous evening on Saturday November 15th when we presented Memories & Music from the 'Great War' in the beautiful Wathen Hall at St Paul's School, Barnes. The event was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and featured filmed interviews of FiSH friends and volunteers recounting memories of the First World War. The evening was linked together by a selection of music, readings of letters from the front and community singing. We are hugely grateful to Peter Snow, Anthony Calf, Buffy Davis, and Denys Graham for their professional contributions and to Jessica Hughes, Barnes Community Choir, and Barnes Concert Band for making all the music go with a swing, an also to the staff and boy's at St Pauls for all their help both on stage and behind the scenes! Tom Stanier's brilliant film, Memories of the Great War, proved to be a very moving tribute to those who served and gave their lives during the War.
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