Torbay Methodist Churches, Devon, UK

Firstly a big 'Thank you' for all that the Churches in the Circuit do for NCH be it through fund-raising, donating toys and gifts or through spreading the word of what the charity is all about.

At present, NCH is working with over 89,000 vulnerable children, young people and their families in their 430 projects throughout the country. There are 28 projects in this Methodist District ranging from Family Centres to Leaving Care Projects. Our nearest is Oaklands Park at Dawlish which some folk may have heard of or come across.

The most up-to-date news is that NCH is the lead agency supplying expertise to the Government in their 'Sure Start' initiative. Well-trained NCH staff are asked to go to a particular area, liaise with local groups and ascertain where government funding should be most wisely spent. NCH also continue to lobby Government on Social responsibility issues, fighting for childrens' rights, and to that end they offer what is called ‘I.T. OK' which helps adults to understand computers and has developed interesting and easy to follow rules and guidelines for how youngsters should use the equipment.

We hope that you are able to continue to support NCH and to that end you might like to note these forthcoming events!

The Brixham Orpheus Choir will be performing in aid of NCH on 11th May 2002 at Goodrington Methodist Church and this will be another evening of excellent entertainment.

The annual sponsored walk 'Step out for Children' will be at 2pm on Saturday 8th June 2002 and will be at Berry Head this year. There will be at least 2 walks i.e. for the able and the not so able, and there will be a wheel-chair and push-chair walk for those who wish to take part. Posters and sponsor forms should be available soon and we will be pleased to send these out to anyone interested in joining us for this most enjoyable event. We usually manage to raise in the region of £1000, but it would be really good to exceed that total this year.

NCH Sunday is on July 14th and the topic under discussion will be Adoption.

We are in the process of planning a concert to be held in the Autumn featuring Pavlina Radoslavova, a concert pianist from Bulgaria and local vocalist Isobel Barker from Brixham. It will be held at Palace Avenue Methodist Church and those of you who have been privileged to hear Pavlina play will no doubt agree this will be a treat not to be missed. 

Throughout the year there are street collections at various large stores and we have one coming up on Saturday 13th April at Sainsburys, at the Willows, and another for 3 days in November where we will once again be asking for volunteer collectors!

I would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would like to take part in any NCH activity or who would like more information about the charity. My telephone number is: 01803 329039

Tessa Goodwin (Mrs)
Torbay Circuit Coordinator