THE ADORATION GROUP
This group meets every Monday evening 7.30pm – 8.00pm. Prayers, Hymns, Readings and Meditation before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed. If you would like further information about this group please contact Hugh Richards on 020 7603 9212.

this is a new group

GET TOGETHER CLUB
A group formed some years ago with the sole purpose of providing senior citizens of the local community the opportunity of meeting for an informal chat over a cup of tea.

The group is totally self-supporting and organises days out and an annual trip to the seaside in the summer. The group is open to both men and women and on average we have about twenty members who attend each week and new members are always very welcome. We meet at St. Francis Community Centre on Tuesdays at 3pm.

THE HAND IN HAND GROUP
During the International Year of the Disabled in 1981, a small number of parishioners from St. Francis of Assisi got together to form a group to enable the elderly, disabled and housebound members of the parish to take a fuller part in the activities of their local community. This group became known as the “Hand in Hand” Group. Although it originated in the parish of St. Francis of Assisi, its activities are now open to any elderly, disabled or housebound person living in the local community of Notting Hill, irrespective of their colour, creed or class.

We provide a regular schedule of activities that especially help our housebound members to relieve their isolation and also enable and encourage them and all of our members to make their own contribution to community life.

Our activities include:

• Taking people to Mass every Sunday and other special occasions such as Christmas and Easter etc.
• A monthly tea/coffee morning at the Community Centre
• Organising outings to the seaside, gardens and parks, museums and the theatre
• Regular shopping trips to nearby supermarkets
• Befriending and visiting the sick both at home and in hospital

Today the group comprises of 85 elderly and/or disabled members and 30 volunteers who include minibus drivers and helpers, visitors and committee members. The group is run by a Committee and each member of the Committee has a specific area of responsibility.

If you need help or could offer assistance in any of the above areas please contact the Committee member concerned.

Chairperson: Cendrine Douillet
Treasurer: Hugh Richards
Secretary: Susan Murphy
Befriending &Visiting Co-ordinator: Sr. Yvonne Coudurier Tel no. 020 7243 2844
Transport Co-ordinator: Margaret Donnelly

visit the Hand in Hand website

AL-ANON
Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Alateen, a part of Al- Anon, is for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

The parents, children, wives, husbands, friends and colleagues of alcoholics could all be helped by Al-Anon and Alateen whether or not the drinker in their lives recognises that a problem exists.

At Al-Anon group meetings members receive comfort and understanding and learn to cope with their problems through the exchange of experience, strength and hope. The sharing of problems binds individuals and groups together in a bond that is protected by a policy of anonymity. Members learn that there are things they can do to help themselves and indirectly to help the problem drinker. Changed attitudes, which come from greater understanding of the illness, may result in the drinker seeking help.

Al-Anon is self-supporting through members’ voluntary contributions and the sale of its literature, The groups are non-professional and have no religious affiliations and no opinions on outside issues.

There are approximately 1000 groups meeting regularly throughout the UK and Eire. Worldwide more than 30,000 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meet in over 100 countries. For further information and details of meetings please phone the Al-Anon helpline 10am to 10pm daily on 020 7403 0888 or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk

GHEEZ RITE CHAPLAINCY
The Chaplaincy Office and Community Room are based on the first floor of the Community Centre. On Sundays the Gheez Rite Community celebrate their Liturgy in the church and gather in the Community Centre afterwards for refreshments and a social get together. Groups of mothers and young people meet at the Community Room for prayer meetings and are members of an At Your Word, Lord Faith sharing group. Members of this community can meet with the Chaplain and make appointments for sacramental preparation by contacting: ephremandom@rcdow.org.uk

KALAYAAN
Kalayaan is a charity that aims to improve the quality of life of all migrant domestic workers residing in the UK. Migrant domestic workers have accompanied employers from overseas to work as part of their private household in the UK, typically as nannies, cooks, chauffeurs and housekeepers. Unfortunately, migrant domestic workers frequently experience abuse, exploitation, discrimination, racism and social exclusion.

We aim to reduce these problems through offering advice, services, advocacy and project work that will benefit migrant domestic workers. We also aim to influence policy affecting migrant domestic workers through negotiation with policy-makers and campaign work. Kalayaan is especially concerned that all migrant domestic workers are aware of their rights in the UK and are ble to access these rights in practice.

Kalayaan is staffed by paid workers, Management Committee members and volunteers. Immigration and employment advice is given by paid workers and Management Committee members. Advice given by appointment only. To contact the office please call 020 7243 2942 or email: info@kalayaan.org.uk

Staff Members:
Project Co-ordinator: Rita Gava/Kate Roberts
Community Support Worker: Jenny Moss
Health & Advice Worker: Camilla Brown

Opening Hours:
Monday: Employment 11am – 4pm, Advice 1pm – 5pm
Tuesday: Advice & Registration 10am – 8pm
Wednesday: Advice & Registration 10am – 4pm
Thursday: Advice & Registration 10am – 4pm
Friday: Emergencies only 10am – 4pm
Saturday: Closed all day
Sunday: Office open 11am – 8pm, Advice & Registration 1pm – 5pm

NATIONAL CHILDBIRTH TRUST
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is the UK’s leading charity for parents. Every year we support thousands of people through the incredible life changing experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, but it can also be challenging and sometimes stressful. We are here to help new prents through this transition, offering relevant information, reassurance and mutual support. Courses are held at the Community Centre. For information and course times contact Barbara Kott on 07979 743299 or email: babskott@aol.com

WEST LONDON SCHOOL OF DANCE
The school affords children under the age of 12 the opportunity to explore dance through ballet, modern, tap and jazz. Workshops, exhibitions and productions are staged during the year. Children’s ballet classes are run on Monday and Tuesday afternoons at the Community Centre. For further information on classes or about the school please contact Lindsay on 020 8743 3856 or email westlondondance@aol.com