One of our own team members, Diane is fundraising for us and has taken on a particularly chilly challenge!

Diane started open water swimming earlier in 2023; her first swim was at Stanwick. After joining a group of Milton Keynes swimmers called The Milton Keynes Bluetits Chill Swimmers and building her confidence, Diane decided to brave the winter waters and has so far completed 15 out of 25 planned winter swims!

Diane said, “I challenged myself to do 25 cold water swims over the winter months from 1 November 2023 to the end of March this year (2024). These swims are taking place in lakes, rivers, tarns and outdoor lidos. Some have been in the rain, some have been in freezing cold conditions.”

“I’m doing this because CHUMS provides mental health and emotional wellbeing support to as many children and young people across Bedfordshire as possible. Without support from fundraisers and donors CHUMS would not be able to provide this support to the children, young people and families who otherwise may not receive help when they need it most.”

If you would like to support Diane’s efforts, please visit her Just Giving page.

We want to hear from all budding artists in primary and secondary schools across Luton and Bedfordshire, who we are inviting to take part in our Shine Bright, Wear Bright poster competition.

The brief is simple  – create an A4 poster using the theme My Voice Matters and designs can be submitted in any medium; from traditional paint, pencil or collage, to digital formats.

This competition is an excellent opportunity for students to not only express their thoughts and showcase their creativity, but also to contribute to the important cause of promoting mental health awareness.

We also have some great prizes up for grabs, including a 10th generation iPad!

The competition will run during Children’s Mental Health Week, 5-11 February, and all submissions need to be in by Friday 1 March.

Full details below:

Theme: My Voice Matters. Create an A4 poster representing the theme of My Voice Matters in any medium, traditional (paint, pencil, collage) or digital.

Categories: Primary and Secondary Age Groups

Prizes:

• 1st Prize (each category): iPad (10th gen) with a USB-C pencil
• Runner Up (each category): £50 Amazon Voucher
• 1st Prize Winning School (each category) : £200 Amazon Voucher to be used for books
  Submission Deadline: Friday, 1st March

Winner Announcement: Week commencing Monday 18 March

How to Submit: Send your entries by post to Claire Feasey, CHUMS Charity, Wrest Park Enterprise Centre, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Beds, MK45 4HS, making sure your name, age and school are on the back of your artwork.

Thank you to Issured for being the official Shine Bright, Wear Bright 2024 sponsor

2024 is looking very exciting for CHUMS, having secured a 5-year grant from The National Lottery Community Fund and starting strong with our Easter Elephants Campaign.

We’re also very pleased to announce our new Chair of CHUMS Board of Trustees – Andrew Carter, and CHUMS Charity Director – Viviane Vayssieres.

Andy is a highly experienced Commercial Leader with significant leadership experience. He is currently a Senior Manager for a London based Procurement Consultancy, working on various Public and Private sector programmes. Andy also brings with himover 20 years of Retail and Consumer industry experience, in both sales and buying roles/

Away from work, and prior to working with Chums, Andy volunteered as a youth football coach and been a School Governor for 10 years.

Viviane (Viv) is an experienced marketer, fundraiser, and agent for change. She combines proactive and tactical efforts with the resolve to challenge, initiate and drive ideas forward to help organisations reach their goals.

Viv said “To CHUMS I bring dedication, passion, vision and extensive experience within the 3rd Sector working a senior level for national Charities, a strong set of skills, and wide expertise that is both strategic and practical.”

Viv is a Freeman of the City of London, EVOLVE Chair of Trustees and Chef and Butler MD.

Our Christmas campaign, Hope for Change at Christmas, is live and we are asking for help to reach our goal of £30,000 Before Christmas 2023.

We have been providing mental health support to families in Bedfordshire and beyond since 1997, having originally started in Luton. Funds raised from this Christmas campaign will be used to continue to provide our charity’s services, including the Trauma Support Service, the Recreational Therapeutic Service, the Disability Friendship Scheme, the Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service, and the Babyloss Support Service.

Those wishing to support our campaign can get involved by starting a fundraiser and inspiring others to contribute by spreading the word; sharing the Hope for Change at Christmas page on social media and with friends and family.

To help encourage donations, the total raised will increase on the CHUMS Christmas tree on the campaign page, and those donating will receive a Christmas bauble to share on their own social media channels, using #HopeForChangeAtChristmas.

They will also be given the choice to make a one-off donation or subscribe.

Charity Director of CHUMS Charity, Viviane Vayssieres said, “Every pound counts. Your donation, no matter the size, helps us get closer to our goal. We know this is ambitious, but what better time to be ambitious for those using our services than at Christmas? If everyone in donated just £1, we would easily exceed our target, so please donate today!”

This campaign also seeks to raise awareness of the services CHUMS Charity provides in the community. by sharing stories of those who have been supported during the charity’s 25 years.

If you would like to donate now, you can do so on the Hope For Change donation page.

Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes is a local business that transforms sentimental items, such as clothing, into beautiful keepsakes that can be kept forever. Tracy also creates special keepsakes in memory of loved ones, and is offering those who have lost their baby the chance to have special items of clothing made into an elephant, with a donation from the proceeds going back to CHUMS.

Winner of ‘Most Thoughtful Sentimental Gifts Business 2023 in Bedfordshire’, we caught up with Tracy to ask what inspired her to start the business, and the impact her keepsakes have had on those who have been affected by the devestation of losing a baby.

Hello Tracy, could you explain what do you do?

At Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes I create memory bears, cushions and blankets from those items of clothing that hold sentimental value. Whether it be those old baby clothes, school or work uniform, clothes that belonged your loved one and even you wedding dress.

I specialise in creating memorial bears.

Often these clothes are tucked away in a cupboard because the person requesting a keepsake can’t part with them. My business helps to upcycle those precious clothes and provide a way to display them in their home.

They also make great heirlooms to pass onto generations.

Why do you do this?

I love helping my customers to display the wonderful memories that are tied up in their clothes. My passion is most definitely with the memorial keepsakes as I love how my work brings so much comfort to families whilst they grieve.

How long have you been doing it?

I have recently celebrated 5 years in business, having started it when my youngest daughter was just 8 weeks old.

What got you into it?

I started the business as a hobby in 2018 when I was on maternity leave after my 2nd child. I created a Keepsake Bear from my eldest’s daughters old baby clothes. After sharing on social media, the idea of my business came to life with friends and family asking me to create one for them.

My initial thoughts were to help other parents turn their old baby clothes into Baby Clothes Keepsakes, but after I was approached by a grieving mum who had lost her son and asked if I could create some keepsakes for her and her family I discovered the power of my work, the comfort that my creations could provide. This is when I found my passion. I wanted to be able to provide comfort to families during their grief journey.

I always feel so honoured and privileged when I am asked to create a keepsake from customers sentimental items of clothing. After all they’ve kept hold of them for a reason and they are willing to trust me, quite often a stranger, to cut up their clothes based on the work they have seen online.

The idea that my work can bring such comfort to families that are grieving the loss of a loved one is second to none. The feeling of handing back a bear or cushion and seeing their face when they see what I have created is the most amazing feeling. Knowing that my work can help them on their grief journey and provide them something to hold when they miss their loved ones is truly special.

Could you share a success story or client testimonial?

Julie sadly lost her baby girl over 20 years ago, Hannah was born prematurely at 26 weeks due to pre-eclampsia but sadly passed away at 16 weeks old. Julie had kept hold of her clothes for all these years and felt ready to finally have something made from them. During a consultation call we spoke about Hannah, the clothes and what Julie was hoping to achieve.

Julie wanted to bear to be weighted to Hannah’s weight when she passed so she could remember holding her in her arms again. The duck T-shirt was what Hannah was wearing when she passed away so Julie asked if I could make the bear wearing the T-Shirt. She also wanted a bear for her daughter to have a keepsake of her big sister. After completing the bear I saw Julie at her place of work, she had taken her bear in to show her colleagues. She had wrapped the bear in a blanket and was cradling the bear like a baby. It’s moments like this as to why I love what I am able to give my customers.

Why did you decide to partner with CHUMS

When I heard about CHUMS I loved the support they provided, it seemed to align so well with my own work. But when I heard they also provided a baby bereavement service I knew I definitely wanted to partner with them. In 2016 & 2017, sadly me and my husband suffered 3 early miscarriages. We had already had a successful pregnancy with Elizabeth (now age 10) and never thought we’d hear those words “I’m sorry there is no heartbeat”. It was the hardest time of my life, I love that with my work I can help raise vital funds for other families who are experiencing the same thing.

I’m so proud to say I will be partnering with CHUMS for a year.

Your offer

One of the designs to have your special items of clothing made into is an elephant. For every Elephant ordered, whether it be from baby clothes, school/work uniform or clothes that belonged to your loved one 10% will be donated to CHUMS.

You can see more of Tracy’s work on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and place orders through the Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes website.

WANT A NEW WARDROBE THAT WON’T COST THE EARTH?

Join us for an evening of FUN, FASHION & FIZZ at our CHARITY CLOTHES SWAP!

Thursday 19th October 2023. 7.30 – 9.30pm

Krafty Shed, Unit 4 Purcell Place, Sullivan Court, Kings Reach, Biggleswade, SG18 8SX

Join us for an evening of FUN, FASHION & FIZZ at our CHARITY CLOTHES SWAP

£12 INCLUDES A COMPLIMENTARY GLASS OF FIZZ

Donate your no longer used clothing, accessories or shoes to swap. For each item, you’ll receive a token to swap for another!

• A maximum number of 5 items can be swapped per person.
• Clothes donated should be clean, ironed and in a good condition.
• Items to be swapped should be dropped off at Krafty Shed the week before the event: 11^th – 18^th October during shop hours (open 11-4pm Wednesday – Sunday)
• If you can bring your items in with hangers it would be really helpful. You’ll be able to collect your hangers at the end of the event.
• Tickets are £12 and can be purchased from Krafty Shed, in the shop or by phone/email hello@kraftyshed.co.uk
• Ticket includes a free glass of Prosecco on arrival.
• Clothing must be washed, ironed and undamaged.

Tickets are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

All sizes welcome. Swap, don’t shop!