This newsletter provides information to British Red Cross volunteers and staff in southwest England about organizational changes and updates. The new corporate strategy, called "Refusing to Ignore People in Crisis", will guide the organization over the next 5 years as it faces challenges like funding cuts but aims to support more people in need. The newsletter highlights examples of the group's work, including a mobile cinema event on a beach to raise awareness of refugees' contributions. It also discusses how the organization plans to embrace technology like new database and communication systems to improve services, collect better data, and engage supporters while recognizing that volunteers have different levels of digital skills.

1. The newsletter for British Red Cross volunteers and staff
in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset & the Channel Islands
What will our
journey look like?
Welcome to your
‘bumper’ Autumn
edition of Local Life.
As you will have noticed the
new British Red Cross
strategy has been launched
and you should find it with
your copy of Red Cross Life,
a handy ‘Z card’ (see
illustration left) which gives
the key strands and
messages about the ‘new’
road. But is it that new?
The British Red Cross has
always responded to the
needs of people affected by
crisis in the UK and abroad,
whether that be conflict,
poverty, disaster or
emergency, so in one sense
it’s ‘business as usual’.
However our organisational
priorities change and we
need to be agile to reflect
changes in local / UK and
global need, as well as
keeping abreast of quality,
technology, innovation and
improvement.
Equally, we need to
recognise the economic
difficulties, challenges with
our funding and find ways to
meet new demand by using
our resources in the best
way possible.
This means some tough
decisions in our area,
decisions which can be hard
to accept and there will
undoubtedly be more to
come over the next 5 years.
Some changes, such as
external cuts to funding
which we have experienced
recently in Cornwall and the
impact on jobs following
changes to our education
strategy, are really painful
for our staff and volunteers
but also affect the very
people we want to support.
But in the long run it’s about
delivering our support to as
many people as we can, as
economically as we can and
inside are many examples of
how brilliantly you already do
this across CDDSCI.
October2014
REFUSING TO IGNORE PEOPLE IN CRISIS
Our corporate strategy 2015-2019

2. Another year nearly over and another strategy
drawing to a close. Saving Lives, Changing Lives
wrought many changes to the organisation and
looking back over the past 5 years I can see just how
much the area has changed in that time. But I think
the next 5 years will be even more of a roller coaster
as Refusing to Ignore People in Crisis takes us on
another journey, towards being an organisation of the
21st century that firmly places people in crisis at its
centre.
One of the Red Cross values is Courageous and I
think real courage is going to be required of us in the
next few years – the courage to let go, to change, to
embrace new ideas and ways of doing things, to
really reflect on what we do, what it costs and what
difference it really makes.
The world is a tumultuous place at the moment and
the Red Cross Movement is facing huge challenges,
seeing Red Cross volunteers and staff giving their
lives for the sake of others – this makes me very
humble and determined that we will do all we can to
support and grow this amazing organisation.
Sarah Gibson
Operations Director, CDDSCI
Follow: https://twitter.com/CDDSCIRedCross
IN THIS ISSUE
Pages 4 & 5
A spotlight on technology - the benefits
and the challenges plus take part in our I.T.
skills survey...
Pages 6 & 7
News from around the area including the
challenges faced by Independent Living in
Cornwall.
Page 8
Support in Emergencies in the headlines -
WW2 ‘bomb’ evacuation and supporting
trafficking victims in Somerset
Page 10
Retail growing in Cornwall - new shop
smashes targets as preparations for a
another new store opening underway; plus
details of Will Aid this November.
Page 11
Letters: John Colverson writes about the
‘Silent Crisis’ of UK food poverty and why
we need to help
Welcome to the Autumn Edition
of your Red Cross Local Life
Page 2
ThankyoutoallvolunteersandstaffwhosuppliedimagesusedinthiseditionofCDDSCILocalLife.
Left: Handing out aid in Dohuk ©IFRC
In Iraq, people forced from their homes by
ongoing violence find shelter where they
can – from motorway underpasses to half-
built warehouses. But the Red Cross and
Red Crescent are bringing vital help.
Visit blogs.redcross.org.uk for colleagues
stories from the Red Cross and Red
Crescent movement working in conflict
zones including Iraq and Gaza, and the
horrific Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

3. Cinema under the stars - British Red Cross transforms
Falmouth’s Gyllyngvase beach for Refugee Week
Page 3
“..it really opened my eyes..”
To mark this year’s Refugee Week, education and
engagement co-ordinator Aisling Allardice and
community fundraiser Sara Loftus organised a
mobile cinema screening of two documentaries to
raise awareness and start a conversation about the
vital contribution refugees make to the UK.
Director Sue Clayton’s film Hamedullah: The Road
Home, charts the journey of a young Afghan man
who, after spending his teenage years in Britain as a
child asylum seeker, was deported when he turned
18. The second film, The Hot Potato is a project by
the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) in
Australia designed to bust some of the myths
surrounding asylum. The film features conversations
about migration and provides a space to debate
views.
Attendee Rick Jubb said “Some of the views
expressed in The Hot Potato could just as easily
have been taken from my local pub. Most people
just don’t realise why refugees leave their
country. I’ve definitely had some of my pre-
conceptions challenged.”
Gyllyngvase beach in Cornwall proved to be the
perfect backdrop for the event which included a
family tracing game on the tickets; each member of
the audience was given a story of a refugee’s
journey and mingled in the crowd to find those from
the same ‘family’.
Audience member Niamh O’Laoighre said of the
evening:
“A stunning setting for a really great cause, it
really opened my eyes to a subject I didn’t know
much about. It was lovely to see so many people
directly connected with the subject in
attendance”.

4. One strand of our new corporate strategy is about
ensuring we can use technology to help more
people, but what might this mean to you? Here’s a
few examples:
 You may need to use a computer/mobile system
to record what support you have given to people
in crisis. If we collect better, consistent
information/ data about the people we support,
this can be analysed, to prove how ‘needed’ a
service is, spot new trends or gaps in support, or
provide evidence to service commissioners that
we are meeting their targets - so they keep on
funding us. We can also make sure that what we
do really makes a difference.
 You may be encouraged to use e-mail. If people
in the organisation can email you, it is a very
cheap and fast way to communicate across all
areas of the British Red Cross – this can help us
all feel part of the bigger picture and collaborate,
rather than duplicate
 You may see more about using ‘social media’. On
internet pages such as ‘Twitter’ we can talk about
our work, promote what we do to a wider audience
and engage better with the people who use or
support us, for a fraction of the cost of traditional
advertising. Promoting the ‘difference we make in
the UK’, for example, can help gain support and
vital funds that will help anyone in crisis…
This is all very well but, like the people we support,
volunteers and staff are all different and have
different levels of experience with technology. With
mention of things like ‘Twitter’, ‘BRM’, ‘SAVI’,
‘Tablets’ and ‘Outlook’ it can all be, frankly, a bit
scary!
You may have never laid hands on a computer
before, or perhaps send the odd text message on
your mobile phone at the most, whilst others
use laptops, mobile internet, games
consoles and so on throughout their daily life – the
sort of people you see bumping into lamp posts
whilst looking at mobile phone screens! Some of us
relish the opportunity to embrace new computer
technology, others live quite happily without it!
Either way, in order to keep our movement on the
ball we have to work as efficiently as we can,
embrace technology where it is needed and be seen
as ‘fit for purpose’ by our stakeholders. Not
everyone will need to be Bill Gates, but clearly there
will be some technology we just have to get our
heads around.
We know that when I.T. systems don’t work it lets us
down badly, but the new strategy shows a real
commitment by the British Red Cross to learn from
this and ensure that whatever existing or new
systems we use, that they will be reliable and be
implemented and supported effectively – in other
words, that they will work or be fixed quickly!
So how ‘I.T. savvi’ are you, and what
support might you need?
Depending on the requirements of your role you may
already have lots, or little contact / experience with
‘information technology’.
Alternatively, you may use computers at home but
not at work, so we don’t see the skills you have.
It would be really helpful if you could tell us where
you feel you are on ‘the I.T. road’ and on Page 5 is a
short survey form we would like you to complete and
return to us.
The information we get back will help us to map out
the area, feed back to colleagues developing new
systems and identify what support would help us to
get where we need to be in the future.
“The difference our technology
makes” - what does this mean?
Page 4

5. The beneficiary relationship
management system (BRM for
short) is a database that we will
use to record our interactions with
people in crisis and other
organisations. At time of editing the
name we’ll know the Red Cross
system by is being finalised.
It is replacing all other systems
being used to collect data and will
be implemented in phases which
have already started in Red Cross
services around the country.
We aim to put people at the heart of
everything we do and BRM will help
us to better understand their needs
so that we can
develop our
services and
improve the
support we give
in the future.
Entering the
details service users give us onto
one central database means the
data we collect is more accurate. In
turn we can respond quickly to their
needs through one coordinated
process - no matter where the initial
or subsequent enquiry comes from.
In order to support the rollout of the
system and to ensure that all staff
and volunteers can feel confident
about using the system, BRM
‘coaches’ have been appointed
across all areas.
As each service is scheduled for
implementation your service lead
and BRM coach, Gemma Lewis,
will be in touch to provide further
information, support and training.
If you have any questions in the
meantime please contact Gemma
on:
T: 0117 3012603 / 07710733200 or
email Glewis@redcross.org.uk
New ‘beneficiary relationship
management’ system on its way….
CDDSCI IT Skills Survey Please fill in and post OR you can
also complete online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TRY66B3
Page 5
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Please return this form (or a photocopy) by 30th Nov to:
Stephen Bennett-Troake, British Red Cross, Red Cross House, Livingstone Way, Taunton. TA2 6BD
1. What is your role for the BRC? [Please tick one]
 Volunteer Staff Member Staff Member with volunteer role(s)
2. Do you use a computer (PC, MAC or Tablet)? [Please tick all that apply]
For personal use  For work use - including any volunteering role(s)
I don’t use a computer
3. Do you use electronic mail (EMAIL)? [Please tick all that apply]
 For personal use  For work use - including any volunteering role(s)
 I don’t use E-mail
4. Do you use the INTERNET? [Please tick all that apply]
 For browsing 'non-work' information at home e.g. shopping
 For work use - including any volunteering role(s) I don’t use the internet
4. Do use you a MOBILE phone for: [Please tick all that apply]
Making phone calls Sending text messages Accessing the internet or
email Using Mobile App's I don't use a mobile phone
5. Do you use any of the following 'social media' websites? [tick all that apply]
 Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Other ____________________________
6. And finally, how 'I.T. savvi' would
you say you are? [Please select the
option that fits best]
 I use I.T. most days and I can pick
things up easily when I need to
 I use some I.T. things when I need
to - but need a bit of help to learn
more
 I have little or no experience and
would need a lot of support
This information will only be used to
reach you about the survey results:
What county are you based in?
_________________________________
BRC function (e.g. operations, retail)
_________________________________
Name: ___________________________
Email:____________________________
Contact no. ______________________

6. Across the country exciting and
different ways of delivering
mobility aids are being tested to
ensure we get the model right.
As soon as we know what this
looks like we’ll let you know.
EFA attend our biggest
area event of the year in
Bournemouth...
Mobility Aids review
underway
EFA team provided first aid at the
huge Bournemouth Air Festival in
Dorset, where they gave 262
people treatment over 4 days on
site. The show saw 1.2 million
visitors arrive to watch displays
including the Red Arrows
(pictured above).
Page 6
Following an audit by the Trading Standards Dept at Plymouth City
Council our Plymouth services have been awarded the ‘Support
with Confidence’ mark.
This scheme is being implemented by many local authorities and
achieving this mark helps us to evidence our quality level when
bidding for new service contracts. The mark is a sister to the ‘Shop
with Confidence’ mark used by many retailers.
The public can check out our services and approval mark via the
website directories www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com and trading
standards www.supportwithconfidence.gov.uk
Plymouth Independent Living Services
give ‘Support with Confidence’
Help to improve safety...
The British Red Cross take the safety of our volunteers and staff
very seriously. We want to be proactive in ensuring our safety
measures are appropriate as well as learning by actual adverse
incidents.
Therefore, please help us to continually improve our safety culture
and environment by always completing an accident, incident and
near miss form (FRMCC/001) in the following circumstances:
 You incur an injury from an accident at work
 You are put in any position which makes you feel uncomfortable
 An incident happens where you were not injured but could have
been, i.e. a near miss
 You have sick leave which you have stated is work related
 You are involved in a driving incident
These can be found on Redroom via the following link:
http://intranet.redcross.org.uk/BRCS/howdoi/healthandsafety/
accident/REDX019649
If you have any health and safety issues please contact your local
health and safety development officer Helen Gillett by emailing
hgillett@redcross.org.uk or calling 07843218067.
Following a lengthy process we
have been awarded £194,788
funding from the Big Lottery
Fund’s ‘Reaching Communities’
programme, for a new two-year
pilot ‘Torbay Navigators Project’
working with Age UK.
The partnership will support
vulnerable people over 50 in
Torquay and Paignton to become
healthier, more independent and
socially active. Eligibility is those
who have or are currently
experiencing a personal crisis
affecting their health and well-
being, such as bereavement,
recovery from illness, or loss of
confidence.
Big Lottery Fund
‘Win’ for Torbay

7. Our independent living teams and
services are going strength to
strength in the area and deliver some
fantastic services to hundreds of
elderly and frail individuals.
The Cornwall service did exactly this
for over 20 years but unfortunately
funding has been withdrawn and this
means that Pam Friend, Helen
Parker and Ruth Taggart will be
leaving if there is no new funding.
Helen and Ruth will be with us until
mid-October and Pam will remain
until early November. We are still
seeking funding for a support at
home service in the county but have
not been successful in time to
prevent the closure of our current
service which has now suspended
operations.
Our mobility aids service will
continue and we are continuing to
offer a low level home and transport
service but this will be reliant on
donations from our service users to
cover its costs.
The team have done a fantastic job
in making a real difference to all
those people who use our service
and in supporting our volunteers.
They will be a huge loss to our
service and a massive thank you
to them for them for everything.
We are continuing to look for new
sources of funding to enable us to
serve the Cornwall community and
meet the needs of the mainly older
people who need our support.
A right royal
summer
in pictures...
OTHER
NEWS
Ambulance driver.
Sock knitter. Nurse?
Do you know what your
relatives did during the
First World War? Now
is your chance to find
out as information
about thousands of
British Red Cross
volunteers is available
for free online for the
first time.
Visit redcross.org.uk/
vad to see the
personnel cards of
these volunteers, which
are now available
online exactly 100
years after they were
written.
So far all the records
for surnames starting
with A and B are online
and the rest of the
cards will be
transcribed over 2015.
The resource is
growing every day
thanks to support from
the Heritage Lottery
Fund and Kingston
University. Over the
next year the full set of
VAD cards should be
available online.
Browse the website to
find out more about all
the men and women
who volunteered their
time and skills to help
others:
redcross.org.uk/vad
Page 7
Independent Living - experiencing highs and
lows and a thank you to the Cornwall support
at home staff
Far left: Dot Matthews presents a bouquet to Princess
Alexandra at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party, hosted
by BRC to mark 150 years of humanitarian action - 12 June.
Welcome to Judith Badger who
joined the independent living team in
early September as Operations
Development Manager.
Judith is here to help with our
operational processes including
health and safety, logistics and
planning. JBadger@redcross.org.uk
Left: Volunteer
Susan Tribble
chats with The
Princess Royal at
Armed Forces
Day in Exeter,
Devon - 21 June.
Right: A helping
hand from Rich
Williams as Princess
Alexandra visits
FESS in Falmouth,
Cornwall and
checks out a vehicle
- 17 July.

8. ‘Bomb’ Evacuation in Frome
Following a request from Somerset
Civil Contingencies Unit, a Red
Cross Emergency Response Team
was deployed to support the Local
Authority and Police to plan for and
deliver an evacuation of 115 homes
in Frome, Somerset, so a
suspected WW2 incendiary device
could be investigated and removed
from a residential garden.
On 28 July 2014 a team of 8 (Ella
Coates, Debbie Glennie, Richard
Hulbert, Roger Wilcox, Cheryl
Murray, Bob Weston, Clarke
Leighton and Alex Wilson) led by
Beverley Sugden delivered
information leaflets to 115 homes
warning and informing them of a
planned evacuation, with a
dedicated rest centre (staffed by
BRC) on 6 August 2014.
According to reports it was believed
the device had been buried 60
years before and after the shell was
recovered it was removed and
destroyed in a controlled explosion.
The evacuation attracted interest
from the local press, BBC and ITV.
Supporting ‘trafficking’ victims
Shortly after the Tilbury Docks
container ‘trafficking’ incident which
saw loss of life, our volunteers and
staff were deployed to provide
practical and emotional support at a
place of safety for 15 people found
in a lorry on the A303 near Ilminster
in August. Coming at that time, it
attracted a lot of national and local
press which featured information
about our role and expertise.
SiE in our area have been involved
in assisting a number of highly
sensitive operations in connection
with modern slavery and trafficking,
and we are looking at how we can
best respond to these increasing
requests for our ongoing support.
Support in
Emergencies in the
Somerset headlines
Page 8
In early Summer a new Renault Master 9 seat minibus was
purchased by the Red Cross to benefit Guernsey residents.
Robert Cornelius, Operations Director at Freelance Motors, the
local Guernsey Renault dealer is pictured handing over the keys to
Jane Moorshead, ER Co-Ordinator for Guernsey.
The ladies (pictured) from the link group were delighted with the
new transport, which was purchased using a very kind legacy left
to the British Red Cross for use in Guernsey.
New Minibus arrives in Guernsey
with thanks to legacy
Educating vulnerable students
In June, volunteers and staff from the Community Based First Aid
Team in Somerset taught Everyday First Aid to 50 students from
Foxes Academy in Minehead.
The Academy specialises in
educating students with learning
difficulties. Students were split
into four groups over 2 days,
with all groups learning at least 8
first aid skills each.
Emma Spry, who organised the session on behalf of the Foxes
Academy said “The first aid training was a great success and the
learners (and staff) really enjoyed it. The feedback from the
teaching staff was very positive, especially the activities which
were split across the 4 work stations”.
Above: CBFA Co-ordinator
Gavin Churchill explains the
basic techniques
Left: Volunteer Cheryl Murray
gets the students practising life
saving skills hands-on

9. Page 9
Volunteers are encouraged to claim out of pocket
expenses - here’s how, along with some FAQ’s...
All volunteers are
encouraged to claim
out of pocket
expenses, whether this
is mileage claims to
compensate you for the
use of your car, train
fares or the cost of
buying meals during
your volunteering time.
When this happens we wish to ensure that the process for claiming expenses is easy for you to use and
results in you being reimbursed as quickly as possible.
We also need to ensure that the process is cost effective - it costs £2.47 to process a paper expenses claim
compared with only £0.58 for an online expense claim.
The online volunteer expense system, which is accessible via RedRoom, is the most efficient, reliable,
quickest and economical way to have your expenses reimbursed. Using this process means that your
expense claim will go direct into the accounting system and you will receive an e-mail confirming that your
expense claim has been received and is being processed.
Your expense claim will go direct to your manager for approval and you will also be able to view progress
and from your own PC at home or at any location at which you can get internet access.
1. When can I start using the online volunteer
expense system?
You can start using the online system as soon
as you have registered to use RedRoom and
you have read the guidelines on how to submit
your expenses online. For assistance with this
speak to your line manager or a member of the
People and Learning team.
2. What do I do with my expense receipts?
For tax and auditing purposes you still need to
send your expense receipts to the Shared
Service Centre. Please do this using the
yellow Freepost envelopes that can be
requested through your local office or through
the SSC Support Desk.
3. Can you claim expenses online from home?
Yes! You can use the online volunteer
expense system from home, your local
library, an internet café – essentially from
anywhere that has internet access
4. Can I use the volunteer online expenses
system if I am also a member of staff?
No – if you are a member of staff you must use
the Agresso online expense system for both
your employee and volunteer related
expenses.
5. How will I receive payment?
You will receive payment the way you currently
do – nothing will change in this respect.
6. Is the online volunteer expenses system the
only method that I can use to claim my
expenses?
No, you can still complete the paper expense
claim form and send this to the Shared Service
Centre. As previously explained this method
is not as speedy and reliable as the online
system and is more costly for the organisation.
Frequently Asked Questions

10. The British Red Cross Newquay
shop in Cornwall opened on Friday
25th
July and has smashed its
weekly target each week since.
We had a great team of people
working hard to turn the shop from
a shell to a fully fitted and stocked
shop within three weeks in order to
take advantage of the summer
visitors. Mark Root the new
manager joined us at handover
from the builders and so was very
much a part of the preparation and
merchandising.
Thank you to: Ryan, Diane,
Sharon and her volunteers, Elly
and her volunteers, Becks, Judy,
Naomi and of course Mark (if I
have missed anyone…big
apologies).
Next on the list is the new Bodmin
store which is due to open its
doors at 10am on 31st October.
Teresa Patton
Retail Field Manager South 1
Putting the ‘New’ in
Newquay - shop
targets smashed
since opening
This month we said a final farewell
to Sir Nick Young, Chief Executive
of the British Red Cross for the last
13 years.
Sir Nick was known and loved by
many and will be sadly missed -
but his legacy lives on in a vibrant,
purposeful organisation.
Since his arrival the organisation
has been transformed and in
recognition of his efforts and the
high esteem with which he is held,
he has been awarded the title of
honorary vice-president.
What is Will Aid?
If you are one of those who keeps saying “I
really must make a will” this could be the
ideal opportunity to do it - and raise some
funds for the Red Cross in the process...
Will Aid is a special partnership between the legal profession
and nine UK charities – including British Red Cross. Every
November, participating solicitors waive their fee for writing a
basic will.
Instead, they invite their clients to make a donation to Will Aid.
Each year, thousands of people use the Will Aid scheme. They
not only gain peace of mind by writing their will, they help fund
life-changing charity work at the same time.
How Will Aid works:
 Find out which local solicitors are participating.
 You contact your chosen solicitor directly to make an
appointment.
 Your solicitor will advise you on what you need to take into
consideration and will then draft your will.
 Your solicitor will waive their usual fee, inviting you to make
a donation to the Will Aid charities instead.
 Suggested minimum donations are £95 for a basic single
will or £150 for a pair of basic mirror wills.
 If your will is more complex, you and your solicitor can
agree a separate fee for the extra work outside of the Will
Aid arrangement.
 All the money raised by Will Aid is then divided between the
nine Will Aid charities.
How your donation will help the British Red Cross
Donations raised through Will Aid will help to fund our life-
saving services in the UK and around the world. You may also
wish to consider including a gift to the British Red Cross in your
will. Whether large or small, a legacy gift is a wonderful way
that you can help to ensure that we will be there, years from
now, to care for people in crisis.
Please note that it is advisable to call your local solicitor soon to
make an appointment as Will Aid is a popular service - just visit
www.willaid.org.uk, call 0300 0300 013 or email
enquiries@willaid.org.uk to find a solicitor near you.
Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact Paul Morgan
directly on 01823 273710 or via pmorgan@redcross.org.uk if
you have any queries at all.
Page 10
A sad farewell…
Sir Nick Young

11. Not many people in government will confirm that
the United Kingdom is in crisis. Last year I
suspected that we were in a much more serious
crisis than was being admitted publicly and it was
therefore my decision to join our local food bank to
find out for myself.
Before I joined the food bank I was sceptical but
how wrong was I! To be frank it was a shock.
Honest and hardworking people are going to Food
Banks because they have either had a crisis in the
family or they are simply going under financially with
ever increasing bills on a minimum wage.
I would like to share two cases I have experienced
recently:
A lady came in to the food bank in a desperate
situation. She has four children but one boy who is
seven has cancer. She has to go with him to
Plymouth for his treatment and stays overnight.
She cannot stay in the hospital so she has to stay
in a hostel nearby “at a discount rate of £51 per
night”. Both she and her husband work full time but
on low wages and after the bills are paid plus the
extra expense, they are left with no money to buy
food for the family.
Recently a man came to the food bank with his
children and collapsed on the floor. We looked after
him and after a while he was a little better and told
us his plight. His wife has had a recent back
problem and she is in bed unable to get up and
walk. Because of this the man discharged himself
from hospital where he was recovering from
pneumonia. He had to look after his wife and
children. He was given food to last him and his
family a week. Current ‘rules’ say he can come
back twice more. People who are experiencing
extreme hardship can be assessed for further
vouchers depending on their situation.
This is my plea to all British Red Cross volunteers in
the South West area. If you are able to spare two
hours a week or even in a fortnight please visit your
local food bank such as Trussle Trust (or whoever
runs it) to become a volunteer.
After initial training you will be given food vouchers
to give to people who are in desperate need. These
vouchers will have the British Red Cross printed on
them as a distributer organisation. You may also be
able to take food to people who cannot afford to
come into the food banks. If you need to claim
expenses for mileage the food bank will reimburse
you and in return they will receive gift aid.
Please consider this plea and volunteer some of
your time to your local food bank, your help will be
very much appreciated.
Thank you and kind regards.
John Colverson
Chair, Cornwall Volunteer Council.
Page 11
Letters
“The silent crisis”
John - thank you for sharing your experiences and
highlighting how vital food donations have become -
there are also stories appearing on the news of
people sometimes walking seven or more miles to
food banks as they can’t afford transport.
‘Neighbourhood Food Collections’, supported by the
British Red Cross, are an essential part of this work
to help people affected by food poverty. This is a
UK-wide event and involves all Areas.
The Neighbourhood Food Collection collects non-
perishable food for the charities Fareshare and The
Trussell Trust, who then redistribute it to people
affected by food poverty in the UK.
The most recent collection in July 2014 was
supported by over 400 BRC volunteers and
collected 5.1 million meals.
The next Neighbourhood Food Collections will take
place between 27-29 November and the Red Cross
needs continued support and engagement to make
this event as successful as possible. So another
plea to volunteers and staff to put these dates in
your diary and take part in a local collection ‘shift’
near you if you can.
Details and links to sign up should be coming out in
October as we go to press, so look out for info and
please share communications. If anyone needs
information on this in the meantime you can call
British Red Cross on 0207 877 7494.
Please help!

12. stephenbennett@redcross.org.uk
NEXT ISSUE: Do you have
any highlights from 2014
you’d like to share?
Rick Stein’s Fish - Events Square,
Falmouth, Cornwall until 24 October 2014
3 course lunch 12-2.30 for £12.95 plus £2
cover charge donated directly to Red Cross.
Area Roadshows - 5.30pm at BRC offices,
open invite to all volunteers and staff
6th November - Poundbury
20th November - Barnstaple
26th November - Taunton
Will Aid - throughout November
www.willaid.org.uk or call 0300 0300 013
Soup and Sweet at Woodmead Hall,
Lyme Regis, Dorset. Weds 5th November
12 – 2pm. Come along to and enjoy tasty
soup and a dessert all for only £6 with a raffle
prize draw.
Jersey Charity Sleep Out - 29th November
2014 - in aid of several charities inc. BRC
For info email sleepout@sycamorerefs.com
Neighbourhood Food Collections
27th, 28th, 29th November nationally
See http://intranet.redcross.org.uk/BRCS/
newsevents/latest/REDX109964
Dorset British Red Cross Forum
Saturday 6th December 2014, 12-4pm
Dorford Centre, Dorchester, DT1 1RR
Registration from 11.15am. Contact Richard
Swann, VC Chair RSwann@redcross.org.uk
..and pencil in your 2015 diary
Area Volunteer & Staff ‘Get Together’
Saturday 25th April 2015
Tiverton, Devon TBC
Dates for your diary
The British Red Cross are collecting at Bridgwater
Carnival, Somerset on Saturday 1st November
between 18:30 and 23:30 and we need your help!
This is a huge opportunity to raise thousands of
pounds along the parade route for our services.
Food and refreshments will be provided at our
Bridgwater Centre for all collectors.
Bridgwater is the most famous of Somerset’s
Carnival season and one of the biggest of its kind in
Europe, with huge illuminated / animated floats and
much more - if you’ve never been it’s really
something special. This is a great opportunity for you
to see it from a different viewpoint, soak up the
atmosphere and be part of another classic parade
whilst raising vital funds for the British Red Cross.
Please contact Sarah Cummins on 01823 273715
or email SCummins@redcross.org.uk if you can
help the team.
Volunteers needed to
help collect from the crowds
at 2014 Bridgwater Carnival
Our next issue of Local Life will be in December
2014. We’d like to hear about your highlights or
success stories from this year - maybe it was your
first year with the Red Cross and you could share
your experiences?
If you have anything like this, letters or news
you’d like to see in the next edition of Local Life,
the deadline for articles for inclusion is Monday
17th November 2014. Please send any text and
photos to:
Page 12
Obituary
Alan Smith
After a long illness, Alan, Mobility Aids volunteer
in Plymouth, Devon, sadly passed away on 8th
September 2014 aged 81 years.
Alan volunteered for eight
years in the service until
he became unwell.
He was well known within
the centre for his humour
and personality and will be
missed by those who knew
him.