The charity is now preparing to reopen when restrictions are lifted and has enrolled for the new Broadland at Heart Community Lottery to raise much-needed funds.

2020 started with trips on the Reepham Rover and the Wednesday Lunch Club in full swing. In the third week of March, the centre welcomed its first school for their residential trip – which turned out to be the only one for 2020.

The evening they left, the centre went into lockdown and three of the four permanent staff were put on furlough, with residentials, day trips, private groups and Rover trips cancelled.

The hall ticked over with one staff member covering the office and day-to-day operations until lockdown was eased, and all staff returned, albeit on reduced hours, from 1 July; a few private groups were able to camp there over the summer months.

However, with many schools needing to catch up in September/October, followed by a second lockdown and then restrictions over Christmas, the centre had no one else to stay in 2020.

Throughout the year the centre had little income but did manage to secure a couple of grants to enable it to continue.

As the annual Christmas meal for Rover users could not be held, the staff organised a Christmas card and cake delivery (Covid rules adhered to).

Meanwhile, many local shops and businesses donated prizes, including vouchers, wine, whiskey, games, food bags and flowers, with tickets sold while delivering the cards and also at the Kings Arms and The Crown. A total of £570 was raised for the charity.

While the beginning of 2021 started with a third lockdown, the centre remains positive that people will be able to get back in the hall soon, along with the return of camping, the Reepham Rover and the Wednesday Lunch Club.

Preparations are now being made to restart as soon as permitted, with the estate, hall and office keeping up to date with Covid compliance.

Whitwell Hall Country Centre is now enrolled for the new Broadland at Heart Community Lottery. Tickets cost just £1 per week, with 50% of the money going to the nominated good cause.

There is a top prize of £25,000, as well as prizes of £2,000, £250 and £25. To enter and start supporting Whitwell Hall, click HERE

Meanwhile, the centre has issued the Reepham Rover trip list for the coming year and is ready to take users out as soon as it is safe to do so.

Whitwell Hall also has a wide range of mobility aids available, including walking sticks, frames, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

For residents living in the Reepham surgery catchment area, these items can be loaned free of charge, although donations are always appreciated.

• Reepham Rover enquiries/booking: 07765 321458 or email reephamrover@whitwellhall.org.uk
• All other enquires: 01603 870875 or email info@whitwellhall.org.uk

The post Whitwell Hall and Reepham Rover get ready to restart appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

The Reepham Rover contact number – 07765 321458 – will remain the same, although the email address will be changing to reephamrover@whitwellhall.org

Mr Black has carried out this task since August 2014, dealing with a number of hirers and regular users of the minibuses used for local transport of disabled and elderly residents and local community groups.

He intends to continue as a casual Rover driver and said: “Hopefully, I will see some of you about in Reepham as I assist carrying on this valuable work.

“There are very few communities that have such a local resource as the Rovers and I hope it will be with the Reepham area for years to come.”

The post Whitwell Hall to take over Reepham Rover bookings appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Skateboarding scout leader Jon Holder (left) with support driver John McKean at Land’s End

Starting in John o’ Groats in the far north of Scotland on a blowy autumn day in early October, Jon Holder, 28, aimed to complete the 822-mile challenge in 20 days.

He reached Land’s End in western Cornwall in an incredible 16 days, smashing the previous record of 21 days.

Weaving through the country, Mr Holder was blown away by the incredible support of strangers who helped him complete his journey and were generous with their charity donations.

“I never imagined that people would welcome me into their homes so I could have a bed for the night and home-cooked food,” he said. “In a world that is seemly full of negativity, this demonstrates how kind people are.”

Supporting him on his journey was John McKean from Whitwell Hall County Centre, who drove the support vehicle.

“John has been an invaluable resource on this adventure,” Mr Holder explained. “Without his help and support I know I would have been hungry, beyond exhaustion and hospitalised. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.”

Overcoming many setbacks, such as extremes of weather (hurricanes), illness, a trip to the hospital, exhaustion and technical issues, Mr Holder said: “Although this has been an incredibly hard challenge, I would not have changed it for the world.

“Raising money for two great charities has been a huge driving force and the thing that kept me going.

“The Sue Lambert Trust in Norfolk and SNAP (Special Needs and Parents charity) in Essex) will receive much needed funds and recognition from this trip.”

Mr Holder, who is also a cub scout leader in his spare time, is hoping to use his adventure to encourage young people and others to follow their dreams, and is holding talks in the local area and live sessions on Facebook.

• If you have been inspired by his adventure or want to see his journey in full check out Jon Holder on Facebook or search #bigskatedown on Twitter.

See our earlier story:

• Scout leader in record-breaking skateboarding challenge

The post Local scout leader smashes skateboarding record appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

However, the service we currently offer (and the additional service we would like to offer) is being threatened by a lack of drivers.

We have a small band of regular drivers who offer a reliable and much appreciated service, but with some recent retirements from our driver list the service that we would like to offer is currently under pressure.

The May edtion of Reepham Life led with an article entitled “Local groups face volunteer shortage”. The Reepham Rover was not mentioned, but unfortunately, and like some other local community groups and voluntary bodies, it too is suffering from this “volunteer malaise”.

We have an urgent need for additional drivers so if you are interested in carrying out some volunteer work with us or you would like some further information, please leave your details on our contact number 07765 321458.

There are some basic details that would apply, but overall if you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, if you have a clean and current driving licence and are confident driving a small passenger vehicle then please get in touch.

Our service only runs with the commitment of volunteer drivers, so as last month’s article stated “you can make a difference, so get involved”.

We would really appreciate your help.

Michael Black

See our earlier stories:

• Volunteer drivers wanted for the Reepham Rovers
• Whitwell Hall to merge with Reepham Patient Care Fund

The post Urgent need for Reepham Rover drivers appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

The students involved were Abbie Colman, Victoria Cooper, Alex Fickling, Carla Hall and Karl Kinsley from Year 10, and Amy Cornwell, Jay Faber, Luke Lane and Oliver Newstead from Year 11.

Gemma Brook of Reepham High School Pastoral Team said: “This annual event means a great deal to the pupils and staff at Reepham High School and is very much looked forward to.

“The pupils were an absolute credit to the school, all working extremely hard to make sure the occasion was a treat that everyone enjoyed.”

The post Students help with Christmas lunch at Whitwell Hall appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

However, the charity does not have sufficient resources to consider this expansion and is in need of additional drivers.

Ideally, it is looking to recruit volunteers who are willing to cover some of the regular bookings and who can do this on a consistent basis, perhaps driving a few hours every week, fortnight or month with the same group of passengers.

If you are an experienced driver under the age of 70 and would like to help the local community, or would like further information, please contact Michael Black on 07765 321458 or John McKean on 01603 870875.

See our earlier news stories:

• Jeannette Overton retires from driving the Reepham Rover
• New arrangements for booking the Reepham Rovers
• Whitwell Hall to merge with Reepham Patient Care Fund

The post Volunteer drivers wanted for the Reepham Rovers appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

The last Reepham Rover trip driven by Jeannette Overton (third from right) was to Horning Ferry on 22 August

Originally from Weybourne, Mrs Overton, who has lived in Reepham for 43 years, started fundraising following the death from cancer in 1985 of 16-year-old Nicky Waller, her husband’s niece.

In 1991, the fundraising was regularised and the Patient Care Fund charity was created to provide medical equipment, including forms of transport, for disabled people living in the area served by the Reepham surgery.

The fund initially provided a defibrillator, which was followed by a range of motorised scooters, mattresses, wheelchairs, shopping trolleys and nebulisers, as well as other specialised items for the sick, disabled and elderly.

In 1997, local resident “Bill” Parkes, who, having no next of kin, left his bungalow and contents as a legacy, which enabled the charity to buy a purpose-built minibus with a wheelchair hoist and named the Reepham Rover.

This service proved so popular that an additional, slightly larger (10 seats plus driver) minibus was bought in 2002, followed by the Reepham Rover III (eight seats plus driver) in 2005; these two vehicles are still operating, providing up to 500 trips a year, including leisure outings, mystery trips and shopping expeditions.

Since starting the fund, Mrs Overton had raised more than £300,000 – £328,820.24 to be exact – by the time of her “retirement” party at the end of August: an outstanding achievement.

Although she has given up driving the Reepham Rover, Mrs Overton continues to act as a carer and will carry on fundraising for the Reepham Patient Care Fund, which has now been merged with the Whitwell Hall Country Centre.

“I’m so pleased that the Patient Care Fund will continue to exist and is now in safe hands. I’d also like to thank all the people who have helped me over the years; many of these have become good friends.”

In 1992, Mrs Overton was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Reepham & District Rotary Club, the first it had presented.

“In 2008, Brian and I were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, but sadly Brian died five months before the date, so I took Jill Hall with me. “David Henry was our chauffeur on the day, and after the garden party we were invited by Keith Simpson MP to have a cup of tea, following a tour of the Houses of Parliament.”

Mrs Overton unveiled the new Overton way in 2009; was invited to an evening with the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk for her voluntary work in 2008 and 2009; and in 2013 she was one of the finalists for the Unsung Hero of the Year Award, part of the EDP’s Stars of Norfolk Awards held at St Andrews Hall, Norwich, having been nominated by Suzie Joyce.

“Thanks to everyone who came to my retirement party on 23 August in St Michael’s, Reepham,” Mrs Overton added. “I was overwhelmed by the cheque for £980, which Jill had collected over the past few weeks, and also by the lovely presents and cards in which some very kind words were written.

“I must also thank the St Michael’s catering team, who did us proud with the lovely refreshments.”

• The Reepham Patient Care Fund will be holding a table-top sale and coffee morning on Saturday 25 October in St Michael’s, Reepham, from 10 am – 12 noon.

The post Jeannette Overton retires from driving the Reepham Rover appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Michael Black, who has many years’ experience in community transport strategy, will now be receiving requests for the Reepham Rover and the allocation of drivers to arranged trips for the core user group via a dedicated number (07765 321458).

Users are requested to leave their name, address and contact details when booking these trips, which remain the priority of the charity even though the number of volunteer drivers will be reduced from September.

Users are also requested not to contact Jeannette Overton about any trip bookings in future.

Drivers are still needed, so if you are able to spare up a few hours occasionally, please contact Whitwell Hall general manager John McKean on 01603 870875 or Michael Black on 07765 321458.

The following events are scheduled to take place in September and the charity will try to advertise trips/events in Reepham Life and also on the local noticeboards.

• Good Companions, Fridays 1.30 pm
• Reepham market day, Wednesdays 9.15 am
• British Legion, 4 September, 2 pm
• Aylsham shopping, 11 September, 11 am
• Sheringham shopping, 13 September, 10 am
• Kings Lynn shopping, 23 September, 9 am
• Dereham shopping, 25 September, 1 pm
• Wroxham shopping, 27 September, 9 am
• Wells fish and chips, 30 September, 11 am

See our earlier news story:

• Whitwell Hall to merge with Reepham Patient Care Fund

The post New arrangements for booking the Reepham Rovers appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Through their efforts, and those of the many trustees and volunteers, the charity has provided mobility equipment and social mobility and inclusion to hundreds of service users in the community. A valuable part of the charity has been to reduce isolation and provide companionship for senior citizens who live locally.

In 1997, RPCF was fortunate enough to benefit from the generosity of a local resident, who, having no close next of kin, left his house and contents to the fund, thus enabling it to buy a purpose-built minibus with a wheelchair hoist, named the Reepham Rover. The popularity of this service resulted in an additional slightly larger Reepham Rover being acquired in 2002.

The fund’s trustees have been keen to ensure the charity finds a new home and, with their support and that of Whitwell Hall trustees and staff, a merger of these two charities will take effect from September 2014. The merger has received approval from the Charity Commission.

“Jeannette’s retirement along with that of the existing trustees and some of the current volunteers of RPCF is richly deserved and our local community will be the poorer for their going,” said Mike Seppings of the Whitwell Hall Country Centre trustees.

Whitwell Hall was acquired by educational charity Forest School in 1938. After the Second World War, the Hall was increasingly used for holiday camps and staff training courses.

Forest School is now called Whitwell Hall Country Centre. It remains an educational charity that provides outdoor learning opportunities for children both locally and from other parts of England.

There are strong links with local schools and also with RPCF service users through Christmas events over many years.

Whitwell Hall will focus initially on the provision of these events and trips for the local core users, but needs new volunteers from September. Some of the existing Reepham Rover drivers and carers are to stand down when Mrs Overton retires and there is an urgent need for replacements.

“If you can give a few hours weekly, monthly or even just occasionally please let us know,” said Mr Seppings. “We can only preserve this fantastic service if we have volunteers to help us deliver it.”

If you are interested or would like to know more, please contact Whitwell Hall manager John McKean on 01603 870875 or info@whitwellhall.org

• We hope to publish updated information about booking the Reepham Rover in the July/August edition of Reepham Life.

The post Whitwell Hall to merge with Reepham Patient Care Fund appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.