Suffolk Freemasons

Medical Detection Dogs delighted to receive support from Suffolk Freemasons

Medical Detection Dogs train dogs to detect the odour of human disease with the aim of developing faster, more efficient and less invasive diagnostics that lead to better patient outcomes. The charity is at the forefront of the research into the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and bacterial infections. Their Bio Detection Dogs detect the odour of diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and malaria in the charity’s training room, on samples. Their work could help scientists and medics develop faster, cheaper, non-invasive methods of diagnosis that could impact upon thousands of lives. The charity apply what is known about the science of canine olfaction to benefit people by training Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to support individuals with complex health conditions by alerting them when they are about to have a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.

Conditions like diabetes, severe allergies, PoTS and Addison’s disease are among those the dogs can be trained to detect and alert well before their human partner is aware that an episode is about to occur. Medical Detection Dogs take the welfare of their dogs extremely seriously, from the moment they arrive as puppies the charity ensure the highest standards of care. They have a strict no kennel policy and all dogs live in the homes of their staff or fantastic local volunteers where they are loved and cared for as part of the family.

Rick Orme, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward for the Province of Suffolk, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to offer some support to this fantastic charity following the presentation done by Norma Howell at our Almoners’ Conference some time ago. I understand that the charity is also conducting research into whether the detection dogs can assist with the Covid-19 pandemic and we all realise what an impact that has had on everyone, so I wish them continued success and I am delighted to be able to offer some support for their cause.” This grant from Suffolk Freemasons was made up of £2000 donated by Apollo Lodge, £1,500 donated by Provincial Grand Charity and then match funded by the MCF up to the total of £7,000.

For more information about the charity visit www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk

Porch Project receive £15,000 funding from Suffolk Freemasons

The Porch Project’s aim is to provide a quality youth work so that the young people of Hadleigh, Great Cornard and the surrounding areas have the opportunity to achieve their full potential in life. The charity works with disadvantaged young people in the community to create opportunities to educate, inform and support. The project runs evening drop in sessions each week to provide a regular, safe and supervised place for young people to meet and socialise. It also offers small group learning programmes which aim to build emotional resilience and intelligence.

The charity helps young people to develop wider opportunities, responsibilities and experiences and address the challenges of growing up. Kayleigh Diss, Youth Work Manager/Deputy Safeguarding Lead commented “The Porch Project would like to say a huge thank you to the Suffolk Freemasons for their incredibly generous donation of £15,000 over 3 years and ongoing support of our charity. In what has been an incredibly challenging year, this funding has allowed us to continue our services, albeit adapted, and support many children, young people and their wider networks. We are currently supporting around 30 young people a week with 1-2-1 coaching in a virtual capacity, around 100 people and their families have registered with our personal hygiene scheme and receive monthly packs free of charge and we have also continued to support our hard to reach and most vulnerable young people through outreach in both Hadleigh and Cornard. As expected, these numbers are slightly less in comparison to our usual figures, however considering the current climate, we are thrilled to still be engaging with so many through our adapted services. Without funding such as the Suffolk Freemasons grant, this just would not be possible and we would like to send our sincere thanks to everyone who has made this possible and has enabled our work to continue”.

Rick Orme, Provincial Charity Steward of Suffolk Freemasons, added, “I am delighted we have been able to give our support to The Porch Project, they do wonderful work supporting young people and their families throughout our local community and we know that this grant will help them to further develop the vital work they offer.” The grant from Suffolk Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons from acros England and Wales.

For more information about the charity visit https://porchproject.co.uk
Porch Project, 28A High Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 5AP 01473 823523 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Independent Ipswich Charity Emmaus receives £30,000 Grant from Suffolk Freemasons 

Emmaus Suffolk first opened it’s doors in 2016 and since then have grown rapidly and now run groups and workshops on a regular basis in Ipswich and Felixstowe to support those within the local community who would otherwise be socially isolated, are struggling with long-term unemployment or are at risk of homelessness. Emmaus Suffolk provides work opportunities and experience through their shops in Felixstowe and Ipswich, as well as in a new warehouse on the waterfront in Ipswich. Among those volunteering with Emmaus Suffolk are those who have been unemployed for a long time, and through offering volunteering roles Emmaus Suffolk gives people the chance to make a difference for themselves, in a supportive environment through work related experience and training.

The amition of the charity is to introduce to Suffolk new ways of tackling entrenched homelessness and unemployment by enabling and empowering people to help themselves through meaningful activity that will benefit both themselves and others. Claire Staddon, Chief Executive of Emmaus Suffolk said “We are incredibly grateful to Suffolk Freemasons for their generous grant, which will enable us to offer a second community house. Our houses give people who would otherwise be homeless or insecurely housed a safe place to call home. People living within our Community Houses receive support to live as independently as possible. They can claim Universal Credit and are responsible for managing their own budgets, paying their bills and shopping and cooking for themselves. They still receive support from the Emmaus Suffolk team, but we do not have a staff member living on-on site. Our companions volunteer up to 15 hours a week in our social enterprises, giving them hands on experience, training and a supportive environment in which they can reach their full potential. The aim of our Community House is to provide a stepping stone to help people rebuild their lives and move on to live and work completely independently. But, like at all Emmaus communities around the UK, there is no time limit on the support offered, and our tenants are free to stay for as long as they want to.”

Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Suffolk Freemasons, Tim McCormick added “We are very pleased to be able to give our support to Emmaus, they do wonderful work supporting people and their families throughout our local community and we know that this grant will help them to further develop the vital work they offer.” The grant from Suffolk Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons from across England and Wales.

For more information about the charity visit emmaus.org.uk/suffolk/