A temporary (temporary) home for COMPAID Trust – at last

With the start date for the re-development of Pembury Hospital still not confirmed COMPAID Trust has been advised that it must leave its home for the past 20 years by the end of December 2006, consequently COMPAID’s Activity Centre will close after the annual Christmas Party on the 18 December and RE-OPEN AT TUNBRIDGE WELLS FOOTBALL CLUB, CULVERDEN DOWN, on 8TH JANUARY 2007 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. COMPAID Transport will operate from Brenchley and the Office Bureau from premises at Southborough.

During the past few months COMPAID managers and Trustees have pursued two objectives – to find temporary accommodation for the charity from the start of 2007, and to find a long-term, permanent home. To this end every lead and suggestion from staff and well-wishers has been followed up. Currently two options that would allow all departments of COMPAID to be under one roof, for a period of up to two years, are being pursued. At the same time negotiations are underway that could lead to a piece of land suitable for building being gifted to the charity.

Save Our Services Appeal and Building Appeal

Donations to the SOS Appeal have now topped £70,000 – for which sincere and grateful thanks. Our Building Appeal for funds with which to buy land or premises to be a permanent home for COMPAID received a massive boost with the donation of shares to the value of £120,000, and the promise of a further donation from the same anonymous source in the new financial year.

Donations to both appeals are still needed, as are any leads or introductions that can help COMPAID achieve its goal of a new home. If you can help please contact Betty Howell at the address shown on this website.

Nizels Golf Club, Sevenoaks Weald

In October 2005 COMPAID Trust was chosen Nizels Golf Club Charity of the Year by Bobbi Ramsammy and Mike Griffin, the incoming Lady’s and Men’s Captain of Golf. Events during the year, including a Quiz Night, matches, tournaments and the respective Captains’ Day, were held in what turned out to be one of the finest summers on record. At the presentation evening on 18 November Nizels golfing members and their guests enjoyed a splendid dinner, hosted by Bobbi, Mike, and the incoming Captains, and watched an impressive array of silverware and cups being awarded. At the end of the evening Betty Howell, COMPAID Trust’s Chief Executive, received a cheque for the staggering sum of £15,800.50 – an amount that drew gasps of astonishment and applause from the audience.

Everyone at COMPAID Trust joins in sending grateful thanks to Bobbi, Mike and Seniors Captain, Peter, and to the golfing members of Nizels without whom this splendid donation would not have been possible.

COMPAID ‘This Is Me’ Exhibition

The exhibition celebrates the artistic talents of COMPAID’s Activity Centre clients, and marks the start of the charity’s 21st year working with disabled adults.

‘This Is Me’ presents both new and existing work by 27 established and first time artists. The artwork, created using computers and Corel software, followed the theme of the title, allowing for the widest possible interpretation including portraits, landscapes, poems and abstract subjects.

Thanks are due to the Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme and the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - Royal Tunbridge Wells 400 project for grants towards the cost of creating and mounting the exhibition and to Rosie Davis (artist in residence), staff and volunteers whose contributions helped the exhibition to a successful conclusion.

Examples of the artwork and of the biographies of the artists can be found on this website under the banner ‘This Is Me’. Copies of the exhibition catalogue and prints of original work can be obtained from COMPAID Trust at a cost of £5.00 (post and packing extra).

Nationwide Building Society Quiz Night

On 4th October a scratch team from COMPAID took part in the Nationwide Quiz Night that brought together teams from East Sussex and Weald at the Bell Hotel in Old Bexhill. After a very enjoyable evening where every possible means of separating quizzers from their money was demonstrated, the COMPAID team were found to have come a respectable third. At the end of the quiz COMPAID’s Betty Howell and Barry O’Sullivan were presented with a cheque for £800, the proceeds of the Nationwide Fun Day in July, and were told that a whopping £532 had been raised that evening.

Thanks to all the wonderful people at Nationwide East Sussex and Weald, especially Julia Sinden, who raised so much money, and our spirits during the this year.