TAVISTOCK and District Nursing Trust charity was set up in 1954 after the creation of the NHS. Beneficiaries of the charity are persons resident in the parishes of Tavistock, Whitchurch, Gulworthy, Peter Tavy, Lamerton, Mary Tavy, Funds are distributed twice a year.

The original support was for.

1: Supply of special food and medicines, medical comforts, extra bedding, fuel, medical and surgical appliances.

2: The provision of domestic help.

3: The grant of money so as to enable the beneficiaries to obtain such benefits as mentioned above or to defray the expenses of convalescence including the expense of obtaining domestic help during convalescence .

4: The relief of suffering, disability or infirmity among sick persons resident in the area of benefit by such means as the Trustees from time to time think fit.

5: The Trustees may apply income of the charity in supplementing relief or assistance provided out of public funds but no income shall be applied in relief of public funds.

Most of these benefits are now provided by the social security benefit system but we have been able to continue to support some people who have been on our list for several years, and we have new names given to us by various agencies.

The situation is now arising where we feel there are people in the parishes who are in the position where they may need some help but they are not supported by the state and we are not aware of their circumstances

Recently we have had requests to help with one off situations, eg help towards special wheelchair costs, or household appliance breakdown etc. We need to investigate that a real need existed for this sort of financial help and receipts need to be shown to prove the funds were properly spent.

We have a trustee representing each parish; these are volunteers or have been co-opted but when any of them retire it is difficult to find a replacement. The trustee needs to live in the parish and know the community they will represent, while being aware of the need for the confidential nature of their work

Our AGM is on May 20. If anyone would like to have any more information please contact me at my address.

Judith Williams

35 Chollacott Close

Tavistock