Ilkley Good Neighbours has celebrated its 50th birthday in style with a party attended by over 150 people who have been associated with the well-known charity since it began.
Attending the special event were many of its clients, accompanied by the volunteers who help them, along with local dignitaries and businesses who have supported the charity over the years. Making the party particularly special was the appearance of several of the original founders from its start up half a century ago.
Held at the Clarke Foley Centre, the occasion featured posters and old newspaper articles about the charity in its early days, with a “History of Good Neighbours display, along with information on its work today and its future aims.
“Looking at these old newspaper articles brings back some very special memories” said Heather Chapman, who helped found the original charity along with local businessman Geoffrey De Vere MBE and who provided some of the historical material on display at the party. “We could never have known then that it would develop into the great charity it is today.”
Other original founders attending the party included Elizabeth Hughes and Margaret Cook, who paid tribute to the continuing work of Good Neighbours in helping the vulnerable and less able people in the community.
Providing an additional touch of colourful sustenance was a welcome afternoon tea supplied by The Little Tea House in Ilkley, which featured commemorative cakes in the colours of the charity’s logo.
“Apart from being an enjoyable event, our 50th birthday party was also a great opportunity to bring together individuals from the past, who helped build the charity’s foundations, and our present team of volunteers and staff who play such an important part in our work today with projects such as Shop Assist, the Friendship Moving On group, and the one-to-one Befriending” said Chairman Ed Duguid.
“Our charity has undergone many changes in the last half century but our aims have never altered, and I thought it was particularly heartening to meet Heather and Margaret, two of the original founders, as they celebrated with our staff 50 years on.”
Some of the clients were accompanied by their volunteers, such as Befriender Stephen Hey, who has been a volunteer with Good Neighbours for ten years and has been Befriending client Henry Scott for the last year. “In that time we’ve become good friends” said Henry.
Another client, Edith Atkinson, accompanied by Befriender Jane Brice, said simply: “Befriending is an absolute wonder. Jane and I always have a really good chat.”
With Shop Assist also there were grateful tributes. Barbara Barnard, accompanied by volunteer Peter Roll, commented: “Shop Assist is just the best thing that has ever happened.”
Lucy Steer, Manager of the Ilkley Good Neighbours team, said: “We have a dedicated staff who I’m proud to say always go the extra mile to help the charity run smoothly. And of course the Co-Ordinators - Hannah, Helen, Charlotte - and myself are grateful for all the assistance and advice from our experienced and valued trustees.”
One of the trustees standing down from her role, and who has been with Ilkley Good Neighbours for twenty years, is charity stalwart Judy Hutton. A former Chair of Good Neighbours, she told the birthday party guests: “I feel very privileged to have been part of this special organisation which has helped so many people . I’m proud at the progress the charity has made, and how it has coped with the many challenges it has encountered over the years. I would like to thank our staff and our volunteers, who have made such a significant difference to so many lives. And I also would like to think that the act of being a volunteer has enriched their lives also.”
One of the dignitaries attending the party, Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “It was really impressive to see Heather Chapman, who helped found this charity a half century ago, attending the event. Ilkley Good Neighbours is an important part of the community and I was delighted to be invited to be part of its special 50th anniversary. I wish it well for the future.”
Chairman Ed Duguid commented: “It goes without saying that we are grateful to Bradford Council for all their support and financial assistance. Going forward we will be focusing on our key work projects Shop Assist, Befriending and the Friendship Moving On group, but will also explore other areas of need where necessary, such as dementia awareness, where we have already recruited a Dementia Advisor as part of our pilot Dementia Hub scheme.
“However, in order to maintain our services and the high standard we aim for – last year we were pleased to receive a Voluntary Quality Mark recognising our work – we clearly need to address funding. These are challenging financial times, and as the landscape becomes tougher we need to look at different ways of raising revenue. It currently costs £115K a year to run Good Neighbours and our intention is to raise £50K in this our 50th year through a number of fundraising events – there will be more news on that shortly.”
For more info on Ilkley Good Neighbours call 01943 609906 or email www.goodneighboursilkley.org.uk. To make a donation to the current fund-raising 50th birthday campaign contact https://goodneighboursilkley.org.uk/ways-to-give/