Rotary members share a unique passion for taking action to improve their communities and the world. Read this week’s success stories from across Great Britain and Ireland…
Aged 21 and President!
Heckmondwike Rotary
Olivia Jordan aged 21 became President of her club in West Yorkshire this year, however, her family history with the organisation has totalled to more than 90 years of service.
In July, Olivia took up the role in Heckmondwike Rotary, following the footsteps of father Mark, grandfather David and great grandfather Cecil.
She will tackle community and global issues with her father and grandad as serving volunteers, along with nearly twenty other club members.
When joining Rotary, Olivia decided to give the club a refresh and promote our campaign ‘People of Action’.
She took up the challenge to inject a new heart into the club, and to motivate her fellow members to think likewise. This brought new ideas and rekindled the spirit of the Rotary founder, Paul Harris.
Keen to assist with homelessness in the area, Olivia is volunteering with the Salvation Army and is aiming to set up a foodbank during her year as president.
Olivia Jordan aged 21 became President of Heckmondwike Rotary this year!
Young carers day out
Marlow Thames Rotary
On the outskirts of London, Rotary members held a family event giving young carers the opportunity to have fun in a safe environment.
The annual event attracted around 150 people at Holy Trinity School in Wethered Road and met the club members.
A disco and arts and crafts stalls were just a few of the free of charge activities available on the day.
Club secretary, John Prout, told the Slough Express: “Quite often for the families who turn up, this will be the only time that they go out as a family in the course of the year.
“It is a private event for families with particularly special needs-based around caring in the South Bucks area.
“It is a very safe event in that the people who are attending are people who have got the same sort of issues, so they are not competing with the general public. We get incredible feedback from the families.”
Rotary leading the way with dementia care
Orpington Crofton Club and Satellite, Minster on Sea, Worcester Vigornia and South Ribble Rotary
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative was launched in 2013 to tackle the stigma which often results in people with dementia losing friends and being socially isolated.
Since then it has been transforming the way people act, think and talk about the condition in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Brenda Parsons, a member of Orpington Crofton Rotary, has created more than 300 Dementia Friends over the last few months.
In Worcestershire, Rotary Worcester Vigornia has donated a robotic cat to Riversides Primary School, which looks after children with special needs. Minster on Sea Rotary on the Isle of Sheppey has supported young people in their local secondary school where they have been running a Dementia Cafe.
Orpington Crofton Satellite Club, along with another club in the area are just completing a series of Memory Boxes for younger guests at the local day centre.
South Ribble Rotary in Lancashire has donated a robot cat called Phyllis to Leyland Day Centre. The cat is equipped with touch sensors and Artificial Intelligence technology to closely mimic the sounds, moves and feel of a real cat.
“For people with dementia, cats like this will bring great comfort and stimulation,” said Caroline Wilson from the Leyland Day Centre. “For some it brings back memories of a cat they may have had in the past.”
Rotary members in Worcester donated a robotic cat to Riversides Primary School.
King’s Mill Hospital’s Gamma scanner fundraiser
Mansfield Rotary
Over in Nottinghamshire, Mansfield Rotary members have got involved in the hospital’s fundraising project for a gamma scanner.
A gamma scanner can take scans of the brain, liver and many other body parts, diagnosing diseases like cancer quicker.
A total of £550,000 is needed, however after the club’s recent donation of £1,000, the total hit £400,000.
Shirley Higginbotham, Director of Corporate Affairs at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, visited the club’s recent meeting as a speaker.
She said: “Thank you to Rotary Club of Mansfield for such a kind donation to our important appeal. It’s thanks to groups like this and the public that we have been able to reach £400,000.
“We’re excited to be so close to our target now and know that this new nuclear scanner with added CT technology will make a real difference for our patients.”
