News

By Karla and Wendy

Hawkinge Angels is a support group run by parents for parents, we are predominately for parents with special needs children, but are open to anybody who may like to come along. Our aims are to support others in similar circumstances as ourselves. 

We both feel we are at a stage in our lives where we can offer help and support. As parents we had both found it hard not having support and not knowing others going through similar problems as ourselves. We have also felt very alone at times, and so wish to give a little to others that we wish we had had before now. 

The group meets on Mondays at the Hawkinge Community Centre between 12 - 2pm. Our members bring a lunch and drinks and biscuits are always available.

All are welcome, not just those whose children have disabilities, men women and children of any age can come along and enjoy the group. We are only parents and do not view ourselves as professionals. 

Some sessions are for parents to come along for coffee, lunch and a chat, we also invite professionals to attend to give a short talk about their roles and how they can help families. In time we hope to become a registered charity, branching out to include other areas, but for now rely on our own fund-raising to provide toys, equipment and outings etc., 

Although we have only been running for a short while we had the honour of winning the award 'for responding to a particular problem' at the Hawkinge Partnership's AGM which we received along with a trophy that can be seen at the Partnership office and a digital camera for the group. Well done to us all for winning this award! 

We both feel that although gradually we are now beginning to be recognised in the community and each week we see new faces, which is fantastic! We have a number of regulars who come along and although we are still a relatively small group the word has been spreading around and we've had very large numbers especially during the holidays.

Thanks to the grant from the Community Chest we enjoyed some guilt free retail therapy and purchased some special needs toys! We hope the children enjoy these as much as we enjoyed choosing them.

More recently we've funded ourselves with proceeds from two successful boot fairs and a sponsored walk to buy special needs toys and a soft seating area. To help with funds we have made our own merchandise such as ribbons, key rings, coasters and magnets. In time we hope to hold evening sessions of the group and family fund-raising events. 

Yet again the boot fair season is upon us, we still have items left over from the table sale but if you have any unwanted items to donate or you would like to help at o­ne of the fairs we'll be attending we would be very grateful, please let us know o­n o­n either 07737 749602 or 07786 420849.