“It was lovely to join veteran and new members to celebrate the Club’s 50th anniversary and to hear how the club is going from strength to strength.”

Daisy Cooper MP joined members of the Salmon Disabled Swimming Club of St Albans, which celebrated its 50th anniversary by throwing a party for its members, including two who took part in the first swimming sessions half a century ago.

The MP for St Albans joined the anniversary celebrations at the Charles Morris Hall in Tyttenhanger, St Albans, on Saturday, 4th September, along with Anthony Rowlands, chair of the public realm committee on St Albans district council.

The Salmon Club was founded in 1971 at the time of the building of the first Westminster Lodge sports facility in Verulamium Park and members have enjoyed pool time on Saturday afternoons ever since, with the support of St Albans district council.

Some of the founding members are still active within the club, having given many years of service to the needs of the disabled, including 100-year-old Penny Goodsell (pictured centre) and Russell Linton (pictured behind), who attended one of the first swimming sessions.

David Hickson, the club’s acting chairman, said: “The club has been enjoying record attendances since swimming sessions restarted in July after a pause of a year and a half due to the Covid pandemic.

“I’m delighted to say we’re adding new members every week and we’re now building up to take part in the St Albans Rotary Club Swimathon on 23 October. We’re hoping to improve on the previous event, which raised more than £2,500.”

Swimming sessions are held regularly on Saturday afternoons, 4.00pm-5.30pm, at Westminster Lodge Sports Centre.

The club also arranges social trips using adapted coaches, as well as events to encourage meeting people and social interaction.

David Hickson added: “Our motto is ‘for fun, for fitness, for friendship’, which is a fair description of the opportunities the club provides for the disabled, or those recovering from illness, operations or injury to swim safely.

“We not only offer members a chance to meet for a swim but also to catch up with friends in a safe environment.”

The club is currently on the lookout for more friendly volunteers to help to meet, greet and register members, and to act as poolside spotters to ensure the safety of swimmers and helpers in the water.

Daisy said: “It was lovely to join veteran and new members to celebrate the Club’s 50th anniversary and to hear how the club is going from strength to strength.

“Some of the long-standing members told me about how they’ve developed life-long friendships through swimming, and many of the newer members who joined this year told me that they feel they have more freedom at this swimming club compared to others.

“I was really struck by the fact that whilst the members span a huge range of ages and disabilities, it has a real sense of family, so I wish the club and its members all the best for the next 50 years.”

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“I really enjoyed visiting the site and meeting the staff and companions again. It’s clear that everyone’s really passionate about the project, and excited to see it get started as soon as possible.”

Emmaus Hertfordshire and St Albans and District Food Bank have teamed up on an exciting project which will result in an increase in support for those experiencing homelessness and food poverty across the county.

Daisy Cooper MP visited the Hill End site accompanied by Cllr Jacqui Taylor, chair of the housing and inclusion committee. They met with members of the Emmaus community and learned more about the project and how it will benefit those most in need.

The project will see part of the Emmaus site at Hill End, St Albans, redeveloped to create a permanent home for the Food Bank, and will enable Emmaus Hertfordshire to expand the support services offered to formerly homeless people now living at its community. 

At the heart of the development will be a 250sqm storage space which will become the permanent home of St Albans and District Foodbank. In the last 12 months the charity has seen a 150% increase in the demand for its services but will shortly find itself without a base from which to serve its six distribution hubs throughout the District. This new building at Hill End will transform their ability to support families facing food poverty in the surrounding area.   

The development includes the construction of several new workshops and recycling areas which will be used by Emmaus Hertfordshire. Emmaus Hertfordshire is a charity which provides a home, meaningful work opportunities and training for up to 39 formerly homeless people – known as companions – from its Hill End community.

All companions are offered training, support and hands-on work experience. The new workshop space means this training can be extended further, offering more people than ever the chance to learn new skills, gain qualifications and start to rebuild their lives following homelessness. 

Emmaus Hertfordshire is primarily self-funded, supporting itself through its social enterprises which include a successful house clearance service and four charity shops across the county. The development means the charity will be able to accept more donations of second-hand furniture, clothing and household items, will be able to upcycle more items to sell, and will be able to increase its online retail presence.

Daisy said: “It’s fantastic to see this initiative happening, which will benefit both organisations while further serving the needs of the community.

“I really enjoyed visiting the site and meeting the staff and companions again. It’s clear that everyone’s really passionate about the project, and excited to see it get started as soon as possible.”

Duncan Lewis, CEO of Emmaus Hertfordshire said: “Hill End has been our home for almost 20 years but thanks to our ongoing success we need more space so we can increase the support available to people rebuilding their lives after homelessness.

“The redevelopment of part of our site will enable us to increase the support and training opportunities we can provide to formerly homeless people while at the same time increase our recycling activities, reducing the amount that goes to local landfill every year.”

Mark Pontin, trustee from St Albans and District Food Bank said: “The demand for St Albans & District Foodbank’s help has grown significantly over the seven years since its inception meaning that it has had to move warehouse premises many times. Our current landlord, who generously donated space to us, shortly requires its premises back and without a warehouse there is no foodbank.

“The opportunity of securing a permanent base at the Emmaus Hill End site is a one off and will further cement the already close relationship and complimentary offerings of both organisations for the benefit of those most in need in our community.”

To find out more about The Hill End Project or to support the project by making a financial donation please visit www.hillendproject.org.uk

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“I’d urge local groups to find out more about the funding opportunities available by joining the online workshop being hosted by People’s Postcode Lottery.”

Local charities, volunteer organisations and community groups are invited to take part with Daisy Cooper MP in a free online workshop designed to help good causes in her constituency raise much-needed funds.

The virtual funding workshop will be held on 6 January at 14:00 and is being hosted by People’s Postcode Lottery, which last year raised £8 million for thousands of community groups and good causes across the country and distributed more than £34,000 to small, local charities and projects in St Albans.

Local beneficiaries included Young People’s Puppet Theatre, St Albans District Citizens Advice Bureau and SignHealth.

Daisy Cooper MP said: “The sheer number of charitable groups and causes active in St Albans is amazing. Since being elected as the local MP, I’ve met around 100 of these groups, and I’ve been struck by the enthusiasm and dedication shown by those involved in their desire to make a difference in their community, often working with few resources. 

“I’d urge local groups to find out more about the funding opportunities available by joining the online workshop being hosted by People’s Postcode Lottery.”

Community Programmes Advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, Katie Tweedie, added: “We want to do all we can to help local charities and good causes successfully apply – particularly at a time when many are losing out on essential funds.

“Our free virtual workshop is a useful opportunity for smaller, local charities and groups to find out about the funding available, get pointers on applying and ask us any questions.”

To attend the funding workshop, contact funding@postcodelottery.co.uk by 1st January 2021. 

Peoples Postcode Lottery: https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes

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