2009 Hounslow LOCAL Health Awards

Applications for 2010 will be available in May 2010.

Congratulations to the 2009 winners of the GlaxoSmithKline Local Health Awards. These five winning organisations have been awarded £5000 each in appreciation of their excellence in community healthcare.

Bereavement Services for Hounslow
Bereavement Services for Hounslow offers much needed support and counselling for children and adults suffering from bereavement by providing access to trained volunteers and part-time counsellors.

By promoting self-help and emotional well-being the Services are able to encourage individuals to live to the best of their ability after their loss. Sometimes clients can also suffer from abuse or domestic violence and partnerships have been formed with other organisations to provide them with ongoing support.

The award will be used to cover costs of training, travel expenses and professional supervision for the volunteer counsellors, as well as increased publicity for their services.

Diabetes UK Hounslow Voluntary Group
Diabetes UK Hounslow Voluntary Group promotes awareness of diabetes to those who have been diagnosed and the general public. They influence changes to lifestyle, particularly to those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. They organise fundraising activities for research related to the causes, prevention and cure of diabetes.

There are three awareness desks situated at West Middlesex University Hospital, Ashford Hospital and Heart of Hounslow Centre providing information on how the condition can be prevented and delayed. Road shows and events are held where volunteers conduct talks and give out leaflets.

The award will help fund costs needed to support the awareness desks and road shows. It will also help to continue the bi-monthly newsletter sent to members, as well as the upkeep of their website.

Hounslow Extra Club
During school holidays the Hounslow Extra Club provides activities in a fun and social environment for 11-25 year olds with special needs. The Club recognises the vast range of abilities in those who attend and with the help of volunteers and part-time staff they are able to enjoy activities such as swimming and museum trips, with a 2-3 staff to young person ratio.

Many attend special schools which cannot offer after-school activities so there are few opportunities to socialise. The Club provides a great opportunity to mix with people of similar ages, as well as giving parents time to relax knowing their children are enjoying themselves in a safe environment.

With the award the Hounslow Extra Club plans to expand its activities will pilot a Friday evening Youth Club during term-time, hoping these meetings will develop life skills and provide long-lasting friendships.

The Open House Café
The Café welcomes all ages and abilities for a chat, a nutritious meal or a place to meet for a cup of coffee. Some volunteers have mental health issues and are referred from other organisations who believe that Open House will help develop their skills and ultimately move them into employment.

Many customers and volunteers are elderly, socially isolated or vulnerable and the Café encourages friendships which reduce social isolation as many visit daily for their main meal. Social and emotional support is offered through Open Ears, the listening and befriending service and trained listeners are available for those who seek comfort and understanding or even just a friendly chat.

The award will go towards core costs including volunteers’ meals and expenses, making the Café’s future more sustainable. Plans to employ a Volunteer Training Manager to recruit and train the volunteers will give more structure to their work.

Visually Impaired Children
Visually Impaired Children organises events and activities for children with visual impairments. It is run by a committee of parents who organise activities for the 117 families that are members.

Many of the children have additional disabilities and often feel isolated from school activities and VIC aims to meet the gaps in special education with the provision of equipment as well as by offering support to parents. The children make friendships and socialise with other children who have similar impairments giving them increased confidence to take part in activities they never thought they would be able to.

The award will help fund an annual sporting programme where the committee will work together with local companies to provide for the children’s specific needs with activities such as skiing, sailing, riding, archery, go-karting and cycling.

Here are some of the previous winning organisations

2008 Hounslow LOCAL Health Awards winners:

Brentford Toy Library is a play and toy-borrowing scheme provided free of charge for pre-school children

Hounslow Pensioners Forum aims to raise awareness of issues which affect the quality of life of older residents

Integrated Neurological Services provides long term support to people with neurological conditions

The Star Centre a mental health day centre providing responsive services that support mental well-being

Zimbabwe Women’s Network-UK aims to empower women with social, health and economic difficulties

2007 Hounslow LOCAL Health Awards winners:

Age Concern Hounslow provides services for older people from all social, cultural and faith groups in Hounslow

Brentford FC Community Sports Trust promotes the physical, social and emotional development of participants, employees and volunteers of the Trust through the power of sport

Health Team for Looked After Children working to improve health outcomes for children and young people who are cared for by the local authority

Hounslow Crossroads offers regular and free respite for carers and a tailor-made service

The Mulberry Centre is a walk-in cancer information and support centre situated in the grounds of West Middlesex Hospital

2006 Hounslow LOCAL Health Awards winners:

Barnado’s Spectrum Project - provides fostering short breaks and homecare for families and children with disabilities.

Brentford Child Contact Centre - provides a neutral environment for children of separated families to spend time with one or both parents and other family members.

Feltham Open Door Counselling Service - provides community-based counselling services for children, families and adults.

The SWAN Project - supports school-age mothers and helps to reduce teenage pregnancies.

The Trinjan Women’s Social & Community Group - works to empower Asian women by raising awareness of health and environmental issues.

2005 Hounslow LOCAL Health Awards winners:

Friends of Cathja provides therapeutic activities for people suffering from enduring mental health problems.

Hounslow African Health Project provides a service to improve the physical and mental health of African families and raise sexual health awareness with specific focus on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Hounslow Volunteer Centre Befriending Service provides emotional and social support through one to one befriending to those who are severely isolated or housebound.

Isleworth Explorers Club is a purpose built youth centre that provides a range of activities for young people.

Snakey Lane Allotment Association aims to improve the management of the allotments, helping all sectors of the community make full use of its amenities.

LOCAL Health Awards