A group of Mothers'
Union members regularly visit the Children's Hospital and befriend parents
of seriously ill children who may need comfort and support, sometimes
material support in the way of clothing or toys for the child and sometimes
just a hand to hold and shoulder to cry on.
Cathedral Welcoming.
A rota of members
from all over the Diocese are on duty in pairs every weekday to welcome
visitors to the Cathedral. They wear gowns so that they can be seen as
official, hand out leaflets giving brief information about the cathedral in
various languages, answer questions and are generally a friendly presence.
Hartcliffe Teenage Parents Project.
The Mothers' Union
supports the Hartcliffe parish teenage parents project which gives practical
help, friendship and a regular meeting for teenage parents in different age
groups. The Mothers' Union is very much "hands on", providing baby needs to
new mothers and giving constant support and friendship.
Christmas cards for Prisoners
The Mothers' Union
sign and deliver cards at Christmas to the inmates of Horfield Prison. These
have increased from 400 to just over 600 and in some cases are the only
cards inmates receive apart from those given by the prison chaplaincy. Cards
are also given to Parents of children in hospital, and to the Hartcliffe
young mums.
Caring at Christmas and The Green Hut, Swindon
The Mothers' Union
supports Caring at Christmas in Bristol with a large donation at Christmas
time, money raised in the Deaneries. They also support the Green Hut drop-in
centre in Swindon with gifts of clothing throughout the year and help with
festivities at Christmas time.
Hospitals
Money has been raised
in the Diocese to provide items for the quiet rooms in both the new
Children's Hospital in Bristol and the new Great Western Hospital in
Swindon.
Knitting
Mothers' Union
members knit garments for the special care baby unit at St. Michael's
Hospital in Bristol and for the hospital in Swindon; also small blankets and
"comfort" teddies for children in hospital
West
Ankole Diocese,- Uganda - one of our links
Following a visit by
Annette Sealy and Jane Gibbs, they both gave talks on their visit and raised
£2,000 towards a vehicle for the Mothers' Union in West Ankole. This was
added to a grant from the Mothers' Union central overseas fund and a vehicle
has been purchased.
GENERAL MOTHERS' UNION
PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE DIOCESE
Away
From It All (AFIA) Holidays
Countrywide project
to provide holidays for needy people who would otherwise not get one. Funded
by donations from members, applicants for holidays are put forward by clergy
or welfare officers to the AFIA contact in the diocese who organises what is
necessary.
Mothers' Union Overseas Fund and Relief Fund
Donations for the overseas work of the Mothers' Union generally can be sent
to the Diocesan overseas treasurer. The Relief Fund is specially for
disasters and can be sent from Mary Sumner House direct to disaster areas
anywhere in the world.
