CRUMBS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

             Wednesday 14th July 2010

            5pm CRUMBS CAFE

             522 Christchurch Road,

                 Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4BE.

                 Information/ enquiries 01202 399644

Applying to be chosen as one of the charities within the benefit of the new Mayor’s Charity Appeal brought a wealth of experience as well as a measure of hard work!

Events were chosen, planned for and run. Prizes were sought for the many raffles and auctions: tickets to the events had to be sold. We would like to thank the Donors for the Bonnet Competition prizes, which included the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton: Paulton’s Park, Romsey: Bournemouth Oceanarium: Holton Heath: the Odeon Cinema and the donor of the gift of a beach hut for the weekend.

The Mayor’s Easter Fair proved to be a happy day. Twenty six primary & junior schools were approached to take part in the bonnet competition & the winners were well pleased with their prizes.

Thanks are due to Vita Nova for organising the live entertainment, which included Jason Hinchey, The Southern Union Chorus (Barber Shop Singers), the Bourne Bumpers, a wonderful half hour of magic and several other solo artists: all given free. Also to Barry Steed and Amanda Williams who brought their expertise. AND to Sue, without whom the hot soup and rolls would never have been!

We would also like to thank all the stall holders and the public who supported the event: we hope you found it worthwhile and that you had an enjoyable day.

The Crumbs Project would like to thank LLoyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales for their support over the past two years in the form of a Grant of £25,000 towards the salary of a project assistant.
Granted Charitable status in 1997, Crumbs Staff deliver workplace, pre-employment training  through their cooking/ baking/ service delivery programmes   to a mixed disability workforce comprising mental illness, stabilised substance/ alcohol abuse/ head injury &/or learning disability, wishing to find work.

CRUMBS Training lasts between one and two years, with a maximum intake of 30 persons at any one time. Currently 24 trainees are in training each doing from two to four sessions per week. Each person is encouraged to identify their own personal goals: confidence building and encouragement are delivered as they prepare to take both the Basic Food Hygiene and Health and Safety Certificates.

Anne Gardner, secretary and chief executive for the Crumbs Project said, "The Staff team are dedicated people, and the core of our service delivery. Their ideas and enthusiasm contribute to the development of Crumbs: we have many exciting new ideas to grow. This grant has enabled our project assistant to develop the new SnakPak tuck box service, and "grow on" a very diffident Trainee into a confident and capable young man, running this service almost single-handedly.

Trevor Smale, South West manager for the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales commented, "This was one of the most impressive projects that I have visited. The professionalism, enthusiasm and clear focus came through from everyone involved - trainees, staff and volunteers. There is no doubt that Crumbs produces some of the best baked goods in Bournemouth."

Crumbs has recently developed the Crumbs Original Iced Fruit Cake which can be personalised with logos and individual messages and delivered to the recipient. Cakes can be ordered by calling 01202 433022.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales supports charities that help disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community. Local or regional charities with an income of £1million or less in the South West can find out more about the funding criteria and grant programmes at www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk