In this issue, you will find a snapshot of what we have been up to since our last issue and our latest opportunities.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi
NOTES FROM OUR TRUSTEES BELOW
‘We meet four times a year, to discuss the needs and vision of Believe, and we would like to say welcome! to our new trustee, who recently joined Belive’
CHATHAM JCP JOBS FAIR
BELIVE at Chatham JCP Jobs Fair, Friday 23rd September 2022 Recruiting in our local community. In the New Year, we aim, to attend Sittingbourne JCP Jobs Fair.
Helen Whatley, MP for Faversham, and Mid Kent attended our zoom meeting on the 7th October 2022.
Following the zoom meeting, Helen wrote:
‘I really enjoyed meeting you and the other Trustees, and hearing all about Belive. I am planning to post something about Belive on International Day of Persons with Disabilities that falls on Saturday 3rd December, to promote the removal of barriers for people with disabilities and mention the support and volunteering opportunities available to people with learning disabilities, including local charity Belive’.
BELIVE HAS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING:
BELIVE Befriending Volunteer
BELIVE Trustee Volunteer
BELIVE Marketing Volunteer
BELIVE Minute Taker Volunteer
For more information please contact; Theresa Hammond-Chair: 07930938227 or, email: belivemedway@outlook.com
SEE WHAT SOME OF OUR BENEFICIARIES SAID ABOUT THEIR VOLUNTEERS
“I’m really having a lovely talk with Mark and I’m enjoying our video calls. He’s a really good mate”
“I like to talk to Dorothy because she’s friendly and someone to talk to about my problems and to see how she is. I’d like to see her face-to-face but it’s a bit too far because I haven’t got anyone to go with.”
”JK says she enjoys talking to her befriender. Having someone to talk to on a weekly basis gives her something to look forward to and has helped reduce her loneliness and missing her mother. Also, she would like to meet up with her befriender and participate in Belive’s group Activities when they start’
Thank you for your input with S.H, she enjoys talking with you.’ (Social worker)
Throughout this period, we at BELIVE, have been working to improve the lives of local people living with a mild-moderate learning disability, with our befriending services, e.g., telephone, zoom, or video Whatsapp, and supporting our diverse volunteers. We have been networking throughout Kent, e.g., we were invited to give a presentation at Romney Marsh Academy, visited the Chatham job center, did radio interviews at the Sunlight Centre, Gillingham, and Radio Ashford, and did several presentations via teams, to local authorities across Kent. We are also passionate about introducing back our face-face support, following COVID, in the near future. Befriending provides people with a new direction in life, and can lead to increased self-esteem, and self-confidence, reduce isolation, and loneliness, and improve mental health, that is our aim. Befriending also offers supportive, reliable, relationships with our trained volunteers, to people who would otherwise be socially isolated, like our 2nd-year anniversary get-together! You can find out more about Belive, and much more on our website: www.belivemeday.com.
If you would like to get involved, please contact us at belivemedway@outlook.com.
Our operational times are Monday-Thursday, 10.00 am-4 pm. We will be closing on Thursday 22nd, until Wednesday 4th January 2023, respectively
On behalf of Belive, we would like to say a big thank you to all our committed volunteers, fundraisers, volunteer, and non-volunteer support networks in Kent and Medway.
Wishing you all seasons’ greetings and a happy new year!
Look out for our Spring Newsletter in 2023!
I am Theresa Hammond, the founder and chair of Belive since 2018. I am a qualified Therapeutic counsellor and registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and BAATN (Black and Asian African Therapist Network). I currently work part-time in a safe environment with adults on a range of issues. With over 18 years of post-qualifying experience as a children and family social worker including safeguarding. I am a practice teacher and a mentor for training counsellors. In 2021, I initiated the petition for an Adult’s Disability Commissioner for England. (Please sign the petition – insert link here 
I joined Belive as a trustee in August 2019. I have a business background and many years’ experience as a CEO, and MD of two national /international brands. Currently, I work as a non-executor director for a range of businesses, including my own business and franchise consultancy service, for new business start-up and business restructuring projects.
I have been working with people who have a learning disability for over 20 years. I am a Registered Nurse (Learning Disabilities) and work as a manager of community learning disability services. I am passionate about promoting social inclusion for people with disabilities and tackling loneliness and isolation. I have been a Trustee for Belive since 2020.
My name is Dona Evans, I became a Belive Trustee in 2021. I have been an independent trainer since 2006. I deliver a wide selection of training courses for Health & Social Care organizations across Kent. My professional career prior to becoming a trainer spanned 20 years in the care sector, having the opportunity to work with a variety of client groups and in a variety of different roles that included 12 years in various management positions.