CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY
HELPING HANDS
Helping Hands is a voluntary Parish organisation that has been actively supporting people in need since 2003.
Our main aim is to help with small tasks usually over a short period of time. Some of these might include: transport to medical appointments, lifts to church, visits to those in hospital, visits to the housebound to chat and show a friendly face and help with shopping. We cannot and do not take on the role of professional nurses, social workers or counsellors but aim to help in small ways that might make a situation easier. All our referrals are passed either from the Coordinator (details in the weekly Bulletin) to the Parish Priest or from the Priest to the Coordinator who then contacts the relevant team leader. We do not visit anyone until the Parish Priest is aware and decides that our visit is appropriate.
The Committee consists of Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Coordinator as well as the four Team Leaders who are responsible for the Helpers covering the area of this wide Parish. These are:
Wymondham and Hethersett
Wicklewood
Hingham and Barnham Broom
Attleborough and Old Buckenham
Mulbarton and surrounding villages
Some members of the Committee take on more than one role. All Helpers active in visiting are covered by an enhanced DBS check. We always welcome new members. At present we have some 15 Helpers able to visit in their own area. Confidentiality is expected at all times so a relationship can be established based on trust and friendship We do not accept money from those we visit. We compensate helpers with expenses incurred when visiting, such as petrol and small gifts. We fund this through donations received at monthly coffee and chat sessions after the Saturday night Mass in the summer months and host two coffee mornings a year after Mass on Sunday. We have also been involved in co-hosting a Parish Friendship Lunch with the CWL. In the summer we hold a “Soiree” after the Saturday evening Mass to which all members of the Parish are invited. At the beginning of Advent Father Michael recommissions the members of Helping Hands at a Saturday Evening Mass. We follow this with a mulled wine and mince pie celebration, again open to the whole Parish.
At Christmas and Easter we remember the sick and housebound of the Parish by presenting them with a card and small gift or flowers. We remember them in prayers at the start of each of our meetings. If you feel that you or someone you know could use our services, or if you would like to become involved in our work yourself, please do contact Fr Pat Cleary.
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE
The Catholic Women’s League is a worldwide organisation, united in friendship and love where members use and development talents in projects for the world, nation, diocese and parish.
Founded by Margaret Fletcher in 1906, the patroness is Saint Margaret Clitherow. Wymondham has had a section since April 1948 and currently has thirty members.
When we are able to resume we will meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm in the Church Meeting Room. Ladies everyone is welcome to join us.
If you would like any further details please contact :-
Chairperson: Mrs Teresa Wiseman
Tel: 01953 604144
Email: phandtmwiseman@gmail.com
Secretary: Mrs Chrissie Baldwin
Tel: 07521 487 626
Email: