The Big Lottery Fund awarded £156,675 to the Hands Project, a great example of people helping their neighbours and the wider community - the sort of activity that is somewhat in decline. I urge people to get in touch with the Volunteer Centre who need twenty four volunteers to work on projects such as garden maintenance for the elderly, DIY and decorating tasks for older, disabled or disadvantaged people. This will reduce crime committed by bogus callers.

I was staggered to find out that there are over 70 voluntary youth groups in Gravesham when I went on a tour with their field officer Mrs. Tina Mallard. We started off at the Emmanuel Baptist Church where the tireless Wanda Bernard and others occupy up to a hundred teenagers in a variety of activities, including batik and self defence classes. Then on up to Kings Farm and a project that I am ashamed to say I had never heard of: Meopra is the brainchild of Mr.and Mrs. Disley: over thirty years ago they started what is now a major gymnastics facility funded by voluntary donations and Sport England. Over 400 children pass through the doors in a given week, including young offenders: I managed to humiliate myself on the bars and trampoline. Then it was on to the fencing club in Northfleet where around 50 trainee James Bonds were at each other with foil and epee. Elsewhere in the Northfleet Sports Club Nigel Croker and his volunteers were hosting a load of activities for children and teenagers, and I was surprised to see my friend Barbara working with some teenagers from very difficult backgrounds. These things won’t be every child’s evening of choice and some of these groups charge, but the excuse for hanging around a street corner of an evening is quite a bit less than I had thought. Please get in touch with me if you want details of these or any of the other activities available.

One of the many volunteer organizations I have visited is the Oasis Centre which is a Christian based, but completely nonjudgmental counselling service, that offers advice to Gravesham constituents through GP surgeries on issues such as pregnancy crises counselling, bereavement, debt, prison, suicide and educational services through schools.

They receive vital support from local organisations and businesses including TSB, Co-op, GlaxoSmithKline and local undertakers, Morris & Partners. Would you like to join this impressive list of sponsors and help this essential service by providing counselling they say they could reduce the Primary Care Trust’s bill for anti-depressant drugs by £15,000 pa. That’s got to be good for the individual and society as a whole.

Contact: John Bull 01322 294430
or visit www.oasisdartford.org.uk

Did you know that Gravesham’s fundraising efforts is one of the most successful events in the country for Children in Need So, well done to everyone concerned. Particular thanks goes to the Conservative Club for launching the event from its premises with auctions and other activities throughout the day and night. The then Mayor and Mayoress - Cllrs Ray Parker and Lyn Milner led the bus through Gravesham: many congratulations to them both for all the excellent work they did for charity in their year in office.