Past Projects
Below is a list of projects that GCN has previously been involved with.
As a community organisation, GCN is looking to assist in raising awareness and funding wherever possible. If you are interested in knowing what you can do to support these projects please read on.
See also Current Projects »
Past Projects
Donations for the Alabare Home Garden - July 2019
GCN Founder, Chris, has spent time with most of the residents from the Alabare home in Longlevens and through him chatting and getting to know them, he became aware that there are a couple of keen gardeners living there!
With this knowledge, Chris approached Glenn Satterthwaite, one of the owners of The Fairview Gardener », Garden Centre & Nursery, who very generously donated a number of potted plants for the Veterans to brighten up the Alabare garden!
Feedback, Results & Comments:
The guys who live at the home are very appreciative of all the support that they recieve from GCN and to others who GCN is able to engage with. As a Charity, Alabare is very grateful for the money that has been raised through donations at GCN fundraising events.
What can you do?
Please contact GCN if you can support our Veterans in any way, big or small. It could be that you have good quality, unwanted clothes or shoes, or if you have any additional plants or vegetables that you can donate for them to add to their garden; they would surely be glad of them.
You are also able to « Donate » to Alabare directly.
One of the key things that our Veterans are in need of is paid employment. If there are any local businesses out there that would like to find out what skills and experience our Veterans have, please contact Chris Auker-Howlett » to discuss further.
WW1 Summer Fete at GL3 Community Hub - June 2018
As part of GCN, Chris and other GCN members have helped raise money by organising and taking part in a number of events, such as the Summer Fete (See Press Release »), held at and sponsored by the GL3 Community Hub ».
Members of GCN, GL3 Community Hub and Alabare who all helped make the Summer Fete a hugely successful and enjoyable day!
Christopher Auker-Howlett dressed in WW1 uniform presenting a cheque for £540.00 to members of the Alabare Charity, with Michael Holder. Manager of the GL3 Community Hub.
Suits for Veterans (March-April 2018):
What GCN has neworked:
Last year was a very significant one because it marked exactly 100 years of the 'last year' of WW1 & the end of The Great War. Gloucestershire has a long and proud history with the Armed Forces and Gloucester Community Networking (GCN) wanted to positively promote WW1 Centenary Commemorations.
GCN has networked between Alabare - Veterans Homeless Charity with several houses in Gloucestershire and Chester Barrie Tailors quality tailors in the Gloucester Quays.
Store Manager, Adam Knight, and his team at Chester Barrie have kindly donated a number of suit jackets, trousers and shirts for the Veterans for them to wear at job interviews and formal events.
Additionally, the shoeshop next door donated a pair of quality socks for each Veteran.
What can you do?
If you feel you can offer support with similar clothing for future ex Homeless Veterans, please contact GCN » who will Network you with our Alabare and other Homeless Veterans' charities contacts.
One of the biggest challenges an ex-homeless person faces is obtaining regular, paid work. GCN assists, where possible, by putting the Veterans in contact with other local charities for them to help out doing voluntary work, to help ease them back into the working environment. If you are a local business and you are able to offer a Veteran paid employement, please contact Christopher Auker-Howlett », who will assist with setting up a meeting to talk about how to move forward.
Computers & Training Grants for Veterans (March - Dec 2018)
What GCN has neworked:
GCN has networked meetings between Alabare - Veterans Homeless Charity with several houses in Gloucestershire and Severn Vale Housing with an aim to share an awareness of potential needs and support.
Janette Vizard », Grants Officer, from Severn Vale Housing » raised awareness of how Veterans from Alabare can access funding for Employment Courses for the Veterans via the Barnwood Trust.
Additionally, Janette confirmed that Veterans could seek access to Personal Computers from the Computers for Africa Charity ». An application for a number of Personal Computers have been made for the Alabare Veteran's home in Gloucester.
What can you do?
Please contact GCN » if you can support in any way to help Veterans to gain much needed ITC skills. This could be in the way of providing free ITC Training Courses, or funding for courses as well as helping them to acquire new or used Laptops, PCs, small printers and unlocked Smartphones.
See also Current Projects »
