Vitalise's fundraising efforts are greatly enhanced by our local support groups, Friends of Vitalise, who play a key role in helping Vitalise raise money and awareness of our work.

Friends of Vitalise groups carry out a range of activities including:

• Raising money for Vitalise Centres and Vitalise service users
• Publicising and promoting the work of Vitalise
• Assisting our regional marketing and fundraising teams with local contacts, support and publicity for events
• Promoting volunteering opportunities and any other activities which may arise

Friends groups usually meet three times a year so that members can swap ideas, plan activities and socialise.

Some of the events organised by Support Groups include quiz nights, fun runs, dinner dances, Christmas fairs and plant sales.
 

Our support groups

• Cornwall - Friends of Churchtown
• Kendal – South Lakes Support Group
• Southport – Friends of Ellerslie Court
• Essex - Friends of Jubilee Lodge

All of these groups would welcome new members, but if you don't live near an existing group, why not start your own? The team here at Vitalise will be happy to offer you advice and help.
 

Become a friend of Vitalise

If you are interested in becoming a Friend then please contact us at our London office and we will be delighted to put you in contact with your local group or advise you on how to start a new one.
 

Recent Friends events

With the support of the Rotary Club of Epping Forest the Friends of Jubilee Lodge held their fourth annual Hog Roast Lunch at Garnish Hall, Theydon Garnon in autumn 2009.

Despite chilly weather, over 130 people attended the lunch and were entertained by jazz band, The Mahogany Stompers, and a team of jugglers who showed how easy it is to keep three or more balls in the air without dropping them (clue: it isn’t)!

The lunch was also attended by John Spence OBE, Chairman of Vitalise, who took the opportunity to make past Chairman, Denis Green, a Vice-President of the charity. Denis retired as Chairman of the Friends of Jubilee Lodge earlier this year after 14 years service during which, under his leadership, the Friends of Jubilee Lodge raised almost a quarter of a million pounds to support disabled people and carers.

This year's Lunch raised over £1,900. Chairman Ros Dover said
“We are absolutely delighted with this figure, but without the support of the Rotary Club of Epping who organized the roasting of the hog, ran the bar and generally helped in the organization this would not have been possible. We are truly grateful for to them."