All welcome to rehearsals - 7.30pm, Christ's Church, Harrogate
07711 945929
To celebrate our 70th Anniversary the Trustees decided that from October 2017 onwards we would support local charities by donating £1 for each ticket sold to a nominated charity for each concert, ideally a local charity or one with local links. In addition the nominated charity is encouraged to have representatives at the concert where they can engage with audience members - passing on information about their charity - as well as holding a tombola (if they wished) and a bucket collection as the audience leaves the venue. Since the initiative began in the autumn of 2017 the choir has supported a total of 8 charities and donated a total of £3,295. As you will read below our plans were somewhat curtailed by the covid pandemic but since re-starting we have made a small donation to the Ukrainian Charities from the bar profits at our final concert of the 2021-22 season and have also made a small donation from the bar profits and concert programme sales at our November 2022 concert to Resurrected Bites.
2019 - 20 and 2020-21 Seasons
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For the whole of the 2019-2020 season we, together with Harrogate Symphony Orchestra planned to support the Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity and monies from our first two concerts of the season were donated. Unfortunately the season was curtailed and no concerts took place during 2020-21.
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June 2019 - Dementia Forward
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Shortly before the start of the final rehearsal of the 2018-19 choral season Co-Chair of Harrogate Choral Society Amy Wall was delighted to present a cheque for £250 to Ceri Thomas from Dementia Forward, the nominated local charity for the recent concert in Ripon Cathedral of “Faure Requiem and Rutter – Feel the Spirit”. The charity also ran the interval bar at the concert raising a further £340 for their funds.
Dementia Forward was established in 2012 when a group of enthusiastic and experienced people, with a passion for supporting people with dementia, decided the time was right to establish |
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their own charity to meet the needs of families affected by dementia in the Ripon and Harrogate area. The charity is now 7 years old and has a fully-fledged team with 30 staff and over 200 volunteers, supporting thousands of people affected by dementia across the whole of North Yorkshire. They aim to deliver a comprehensive range of services that support and promote ‘living well with dementia’. They offer a helpline, home visits, wellbeing activities, dementia specialist nurses and a dementia hub, along with providing education, information and advice.
Dementia Forward is a Registered Charity No 1148225 and their website is http://www.dementiaforward.org.uk/
Dementia Forward is a Registered Charity No 1148225 and their website is http://www.dementiaforward.org.uk/
March 2019 - The Mayors Charity ABF, ie the "Soldier's Charity"
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Co-Chair of Harrogate Choral Society Amy Wall was delighted to present £370 to Barney Barnbrook from ABF, the Soldiers Charity, and Mayor of Harrogate Councillor Bernard Bateman – whose charity for the year is the ABF. The total including a raffle and bucket collection on the night - run by junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College - was £789.92. Amy Wall, says “As a registered charity we know how important every bit of fundraising can be for every charity and we are delighted to continue our support of others by donating £1 for each ticket sold at our concerts, augmented by the generosity of our audiences.”
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ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the National Charity of the British Army, supporting soldiers and veterans from every conflict, and their immediate families. The Charity was established as the Army Benevolent Fund in 1944, to ensure that the hardships endured by soldiers in the aftermath of 1914-18 were never repeated. Support with care home fees, training courses or home adaptations are just some of the things that can ensure every soldier and veteran of the British Army is afforded the independence and dignity they deserve. The individuals who need help usually come through their Regiments or Corps, and help can often be provided within 48 hours, sometimes within minutes which can make all the difference for someone facing a night without shelter or their next meal. The scope is enormous; the eldest beneficiary was a 108-year-old World War II widow who needed assistance in paying her care home fees. The youngest was a two-year-old child of a serving soldier who needed funding for a specialist piece of medical equipment.
ABF is a Registered Charity No 1146420, for more info their website is https://soldierscharity.org/
ABF is a Registered Charity No 1146420, for more info their website is https://soldierscharity.org/
December 2018 - Supporting Older People
Co-Chair Amy (on the right) presents a cheque for £600 from Messiah ticket sales to Kate Rogata from Supporting Older People. Founded in 1982 the mission of SOP is to alleviate loneliness and isolation often experienced by older people living on their own. They organise events, social activities and outings. They recruit volunteers who matches as be-frienders of older people. They have a singing group and regular lunches and liaise with the families of their clients as well as statutory authorities and other local charitable organisations.
Supporting Older People are a Registered Charity 1155682 and their website is www.supportingolderpeople.org.uk
Supporting Older People are a Registered Charity 1155682 and their website is www.supportingolderpeople.org.uk
October 2018 - Disability Action Yorkshire
Co-Chair Paul was delighted to present a cheque for £375, resulting from ticket sales for Magic of Mozart, to Jackie from Disability Action Yorkshire.
Disability Action Yorkshire are a long established Harrogate based charity; who celebrated their 80th anniversary last year!
Their aim is to facilitate solutions for disabled people whatever their aspiration. The first priority is that very person is treated as an individual, so if they don’t already provide what is needed they will find out how they can or find someone who does.
Disability Action Yorkshire works mainly with physically disabled people from the age of 16 to 65, although some of the people they work with are learning disabled or have sensory impairments.
Current services include:
Disability Action Yorkshire are a long established Harrogate based charity; who celebrated their 80th anniversary last year!
Their aim is to facilitate solutions for disabled people whatever their aspiration. The first priority is that very person is treated as an individual, so if they don’t already provide what is needed they will find out how they can or find someone who does.
Disability Action Yorkshire works mainly with physically disabled people from the age of 16 to 65, although some of the people they work with are learning disabled or have sensory impairments.
Current services include:
- Residential facilities with training for independent living
- Training in the skills required for employment
- Holiday accommodation for families with a disabled member
- Personal assistant (personal care and independent living support) in the community
- Buddying
- Furniture warehouse – selling pre-used furniture to the general public and very much linked to the training in employability skills
June 2018 - Crossroads Care Harrogate, Craven and York
As one of his final duties as Chairman Peter presented a cheque for £250 to Simon from Crossroads, this was as a result of ticket sales from "A Nightingale Sang" in St Wilfrids Church. On this occasion as well as holding a tombola they also ran the interval bar to raise additional funds. Crossroads Care Harrogate, Craven & York offers a domiciliary based respite care service for local carers living in the named areas. They also offer a service in the Wetherby area.
In Harrogate and Craven they provide an adult service for those caring for someone over the age of 18 with a range of disabilities. In York we provide an adult service plus a service for those caring for disabled children. They are affiliated to a national body - The Carers Trust, Britain's leading carers' charity,which provides all our important working policies and procedures. This ensures a reliable, consistent and highly professional service.
Their professional staff assess the needs of each client individually, enabling our professional, highly trained (paid) Carer Support Workers to visit the home and take over the care and well being of someone who may have a physical/mental disability or who is frail/elderly. Thereby, allowing the regular (unpaid) carer, who maybe a relative or close friend, to step back and take a break.
Crossroads have a website http://crossroadsnorthyorks.org They are a Registered Charity 1058300.
In Harrogate and Craven they provide an adult service for those caring for someone over the age of 18 with a range of disabilities. In York we provide an adult service plus a service for those caring for disabled children. They are affiliated to a national body - The Carers Trust, Britain's leading carers' charity,which provides all our important working policies and procedures. This ensures a reliable, consistent and highly professional service.
Their professional staff assess the needs of each client individually, enabling our professional, highly trained (paid) Carer Support Workers to visit the home and take over the care and well being of someone who may have a physical/mental disability or who is frail/elderly. Thereby, allowing the regular (unpaid) carer, who maybe a relative or close friend, to step back and take a break.
Crossroads have a website http://crossroadsnorthyorks.org They are a Registered Charity 1058300.
March 2018 - Our Angels
Trustee Paul, on behalf of Chairman Peter, presenting a cheque for £350 to Emma from Our Angels following the performance of Elijah.
Our Angels was formed in January 2009 when a group of bereaved parents met with the head of Harrogate District Hospital’s maternity department to discuss the lack of support for families facing the heartbreaking tragedy of the loss of a baby. Originally just a support group (which still meets to this day) fundraising began as well working to provide items such as memory boxes and keepsakes for parents.
Later, they provide the hospital with more complex equipment such as a cold cot that enables parents to spend as many precious hours as possible with their baby. Our Angels also aims to ensure that midwives have the best possible training to feel confident in handling issues such as stillbirth and neonatal death. Their work in the community was recognised when they were honoured to receive the Mark Kennedy Award for excellence in improving the patient experience at the 2012 NHS Excellence Awards.
Our Angels, Registered Charity 1161717, can be contacted by email ([email protected]), on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ourangelscharity/) or Twitter (@OurAngelsHG1),
Our Angels was formed in January 2009 when a group of bereaved parents met with the head of Harrogate District Hospital’s maternity department to discuss the lack of support for families facing the heartbreaking tragedy of the loss of a baby. Originally just a support group (which still meets to this day) fundraising began as well working to provide items such as memory boxes and keepsakes for parents.
Later, they provide the hospital with more complex equipment such as a cold cot that enables parents to spend as many precious hours as possible with their baby. Our Angels also aims to ensure that midwives have the best possible training to feel confident in handling issues such as stillbirth and neonatal death. Their work in the community was recognised when they were honoured to receive the Mark Kennedy Award for excellence in improving the patient experience at the 2012 NHS Excellence Awards.
Our Angels, Registered Charity 1161717, can be contacted by email ([email protected]), on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ourangelscharity/) or Twitter (@OurAngelsHG1),
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December 2017 - HELP
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Chairman Peter Thompson presenting a cheque to Frances from HELP with a cheque for £600 from the Messiah concert.
HELP (Harrogate Easier Living Project) provides support to people who are either older, vulnerable or living with disability to remain living independently within their own homes. With a team of 80 dedicated volunteers, they provide the following services across the Harrogate District, as well as in Ripon and in some more rural areas. Just 60% of their income comes from Harrogate Council and NYCC with the remainder coming from client donations and fundraising activities. Some of their services include.
HELP (Harrogate Easier Living Project) provides support to people who are either older, vulnerable or living with disability to remain living independently within their own homes. With a team of 80 dedicated volunteers, they provide the following services across the Harrogate District, as well as in Ripon and in some more rural areas. Just 60% of their income comes from Harrogate Council and NYCC with the remainder coming from client donations and fundraising activities. Some of their services include.
- Help at Home – DIY, decorating, gardening and odd jobs for people who are living independently but are unable to do this work themselves.
- Opening Doors – accompanied support to allow clients to attend social events, outings and to make essential trips. Our volunteer befrienders provide valuable social contact for people who may be experiencing loneliness or anxiety.
- Driving Force – voluntary car driving service – every year our volunteer drivers carry out thousands of journeys for local people struggling with transport. This could be to attend medical appointments, go to the shops or hairdressers or to attend social groups and lunch clubs. The drivers act as a lifeline to help people stay connected with their local communities.
October 2017 - Time Together
Chairman Peter Thompson was delighted to present Sam from Time Together them with a cheque for £500 resulting from A Night at the Opera.
Time Together is a local charity with over twenty years of providing personalised and bespoke support, opportunities, information and choices for people with Autism, Asperger's and other additional needs in the Harrogate and District area. They focus on enhancing their clients’ independent skills, increasing confidence and wellbeing, and enabling them to access activities and interest groups.
Alongside their support work they also facilitate various social groups, activity groups and a support group for individuals and families affected by autistic spectrum conditions and additional needs, these include:
Happy Mondays: A social group for adults with learning or physical difficulties who meet every Monday evening at Time Together premises in Starbeck for a meal and activities.
Games Zone: An inclusive gaming club for ages 8-18 (u12s accompanied) which runs on Friday evenings.
Next Gen: An inclusive gaming club for ages 16+ (including Games Zone graduates) which runs on Friday afternoons.
ASpect: A user-led social group run on behalf of the Harrogate NAS for individuals on the Autism spectrum and/or with social/communication difficulties.
Parents Together: An online parent support group for families affected by Autism, Asperger's and additional needs.
For more information about Time Together, which is a registered charity number 1050035, please visit their website at www.timetogether.info or contact them on 01423 883992 or [email protected]
Time Together is a local charity with over twenty years of providing personalised and bespoke support, opportunities, information and choices for people with Autism, Asperger's and other additional needs in the Harrogate and District area. They focus on enhancing their clients’ independent skills, increasing confidence and wellbeing, and enabling them to access activities and interest groups.
Alongside their support work they also facilitate various social groups, activity groups and a support group for individuals and families affected by autistic spectrum conditions and additional needs, these include:
Happy Mondays: A social group for adults with learning or physical difficulties who meet every Monday evening at Time Together premises in Starbeck for a meal and activities.
Games Zone: An inclusive gaming club for ages 8-18 (u12s accompanied) which runs on Friday evenings.
Next Gen: An inclusive gaming club for ages 16+ (including Games Zone graduates) which runs on Friday afternoons.
ASpect: A user-led social group run on behalf of the Harrogate NAS for individuals on the Autism spectrum and/or with social/communication difficulties.
Parents Together: An online parent support group for families affected by Autism, Asperger's and additional needs.
For more information about Time Together, which is a registered charity number 1050035, please visit their website at www.timetogether.info or contact them on 01423 883992 or [email protected]