Our Charities
About Rosy - Respite nursing for Oxfordshire's Sick Youngsters
Background: Rosy (Respite nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters) is a charitable support group operating under the umbrella of the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust Charity that is dedicated to the provision of additional respite care to Oxfordshire’s sick youngsters who are nursed at their own homes. It is often difficult to contemplate, but some children are born with life limiting or chronic conditions and others develop them early in their lives. Most can be nursed at home, it is what their families want, for it is often better for the children to be with their loved ones, their own pets, toys and familiar surroundings but this need places an enormous burden on the families. The demands on the National Health Service, often victim of its’ own success, mean that support to these families is understandably limited; this is where Rosy comes in. Rosy was formed in 2002 by Bev Wilson, then a Respite Nurse, and a close circle of friends to provide additional nursing, specialist equipment and additional support in times of great need. Her work continues...
At present we provide the funding for nine nurses, medical and sensory equipment and specialist toys, a limited counselling service and assistance to support a leisure facility for the sick youngsters and their siblings. As you will appreciate, the three hours per week that the nurses currently provide to most of the families barely gives the carers of our sick children an adequate chance to relax from the extreme stress of caring for a sick child and little chance to enjoy the normal family life that most of us take for granted.
Our ambition is to
- At least double the availability of a 'relaxation' period for carers.
- Equip the nurses and homes with the appropriate specialist medical equipment.
- Provide suitable sensory equipment / toys for those children who can benefit from them.
- Enable the carers to relax with others who have similar problems so that they can share experiences and realise that they are not alone.
- Support the siblings of the sick children in any way we can for they are frequently the 'forgotten ones'.
The Tusk Trust
TUSK TRUST has been supporting wildlife conservation, communities, and environmental education in Africa since 1990. As the charity celebrates its 20th anniversary its current portfolio of 40 projects spread across 17 countries is designed not only to deliver protection for endangered species, but also to help alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development amongst the rural communities who live alongside wildlife. In 2005 HRH Prince William of Wales became the organisation’s Royal Patron.
As the human population increases the demand for land often leads to disastrous conflict with wildlife, Tusk’s integrated approach to conservation recognises that the future of the continent’s biodiversity is as much dependant on promoting education and sustainable human development. Therefore whilst Tusk continues to invest substantial funds directly in the protection of many threatened species such as elephant, rhino, cheetah, gorillas and even turtles, much of the charity’s work focuses on the need to improve education and schools.
Tusk has, with its project partners in the field, also been at the forefront of establishing and promoting innovative community driven conservation programmes. The charity has attracted global support for its integrated approach - promoting sustainable development programmes, which, in turn, create employment, increase security, and alleviate poverty through the stimulation of nature-based enterprises. One such programme supported by Tusk has seen over 2 million acres of community land come under a common conservation policy with initiatives that are directly and simultaneously benefiting 70,000 people and a significant wildlife population in northern Kenya.
Tusk strives to provide practical, logistical and financial support to the projects it supports. This includes the purchase of vehicles, and operational equipment, as well as the construction of schools, clinics, water improvement projects, roads, buildings, bridges, and airstrips. The organisation, which is registered in the UK and USA has earned a reputation for its no-nonsense approach, low overheads, and being highly efficient in delivering donor funds to the field.
PROTECTING WILDLIFE - SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES - PROMOTING EDUCATION
