Author: Robert

  • Helen Rollason

    Helen Rollason Cancer Charity logo


    Helen Rollason Cancer Charity

    Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is a crucial provider of support to adults across Essex living with cancer. This is delivered through our Support Centres as well as virtually. We do so at all stages of our client’s journey – whether newly diagnosed or longer-term, throughout treatment and after treatment is completed. Within our centres people are not defined by their diagnosis, they are an individual, not a clinical file. We provide a safe and calming space for our clients and their loved ones. Not only do we support those facing the diagnosis, but we also offer support to their main carer. All of which are provided with no charge, although gratefully receive donations.   

    We want to enable a positive quality of life for those living with cancer, whilst providing high quality, accessible and inclusive support. The services we offer have been described as a ‘lifeline’ for so many.  

    “Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is the missing piece of the puzzle within the hospital setting. They have the human touch and the time to be able to look after the person as a person rather than their medical diagnosis, that is something I really appreciate. The love and care that exude from those who work there is truly unique. It is a haven amongst the rollercoaster you are going through. A very special place.” 

    Website

    https://www.helenrollason.org.uk/

    Helen Rollason Cancer Charity
    Charity Registered Number: 3144906
    Registered Address: Yvonne Stewart House, The Street, Hatfield Peverel, Essex, CM3 2EH

  • Blesma

    Blesma


    Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

    Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the loss of use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK.

    We work tirelessly for our Members when the conflicts that have affected their lives are no longer a focal point in the nation’s media. Since 1932, we have been the only national Service charity that specialises in supporting limbless veterans for the duration of their lives. Our Members range from the youngest amputee veterans to those who fought in WWII, some having lived with limb loss for more than half a century. Modern medicine transforms the physical injury, but it is a complicated process to treat the emotional trauma and related lifelong health problems.

    Blesma provides a network where Members not only enjoy support from our professional Welfare Team, but where they have the opportunity to engage with others who have similar injuries and backgrounds to themselves, building an important fellowship with each other to overcome everyday battles.


    Website

    https://blesma.org

    Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
    Charity Registered Number: 1084189
    Registered Address: 115 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0QT.

  • Summer 2025

    Summer Beer & Cider festival

    The summer festival will be held in Admirals Park from Tuesday 15th July until Saturday 19th July.

    The festival will be open each day from Midday until 23:00.
    Last entry will be at 22:30 and last Orders will be at 22:50.

    Tickets will be on sale in Early March and a link to buy them will be posted here. This year, it’s cheaper to buy online than pay on the day so make sure you order yours before you get to the festival.

  • It starts for 2025

    Although it’s not even Christmas day yet, planning has already started for the 2025 Summer beer festival.

    Being held at its current home in Admirals park and scheduled to run from 15th – 19th July.

    More information about the event and registration for volunteers will be posted in the new year.

  • All Done and Dusted…

    Five days of Beers and Ciders with Gin and wine also available plus some excellent bands have now come to and end.

    Thank you all very much for your support at the event. We hope you enjoyed yourself and will be back next year.

    A special thank you to the small army of volunteers without whom the event could not go ahead. Your contribution is vital and we hope to see you back next year. There will be a ‘wash-up’ meeting to air and discuss any issues or improvements that could make next year’s festival even better and an invitation will be sent in the next few weeks to everybody who volunteered.

    John Preston
    Beer Festival Organiser
    Chelmsford Summer Festival 2024

  • Not Just about Beer & Cider…

    There is a lot more to the festival than Beer and Cider! We have other drinks for those that want to come along and enjoy the atmosphere but may not like Beer or Cider; There’s a gin outlet and a wine stand and – for the first time – we have non-alcoholic (or very low alcohol) beers available along with soft drinks for the kids and the drivers!

    In addition to the drinks, there are food stalls selling a wide variety of tasty items (see list on the left) and there is music on all days to suit many tastes.

    The festival is held outdoors so if the sun is shining, (& the wind drops!) come along with your mates, your work colleagues or your family (Children are allowed into the site but not at the bars) to enjoys some great drinks, some great food and some great bands.

    John Preston
    Beer Festival Organiser
    Chelmsford Summer Festival 2024

  • Volunteering for 2024

    Like last year, the festival is going to be very different to the pre-Covid festivals and we have gone back to basics in considering how it will be run. This means that volunteering may be different and so that you know what changes have been made we want to let you know how things will work this year.

    As in the past, volunteers will be able to try the beers and ciders on offer free of charge. Given that the festival will have a far smaller capacity and that we will have fewer volunteers, one change is that only volunteers who work on Friday and Saturday will be able to drink free of charge on these days. So, if you were to volunteer on Tuesday and Wednesday but preferred not to drink on those days but instead come back later, it would have to be on Thursday. If you help with set-up and/or take-down then your badge will include Friday and Saturday.

    Volunteers who work over four hours will be entitled to one meal token per day. So, if you are starting at noon and working until say, 8pm you will get one token because we anticipate that you would have had lunch before arriving.

    Anyone who volunteers for eight hours or more will be provided with a festival polo shirt. You will also need to ensure that you get your form back to us by 14th June. Anyone whose form arrives after this date may not have a polo ordered for them as we will need to place our order in advance.

    As last year, we probably need fewer volunteers in some areas but more in others. For example, the festival’s bars will be cash free so we will need far fewer people in the finance team but we may need more people on entrance to handle beer tokens/cards. So, could you have a think about what you would be willing to do and maybe try some different things. We hope you will view this as an opportunity to try something new and not be disappointed if you aren’t asked to work in your first-choice role.

    The volunteer form is here. Please tick as many boxes on the form as you can so that we have as much flexibility as possible to make the festival a success.

    There will be a volunteer briefing at 7.30pm on Monday 15th July so please come if you can.