The Nineties

1990 -1999

1999

1999 was a difficult time for Help & Care, because the organisation found itself on brink of financial collapse. Fortunately, Rank Foundation agreed to three year of core funding.

Help & Care launched a service to support carers through Primary Care, and Advocacy Service was relaunched across Dorset.

1998

In 1998 the newly renovated Help & Care building was opened by Paul Boateng, Under Secretary of State for Health.

Help & Care held its first event at the BIC, which highly successful – it was attended by 1,200 older people!

1997

Help & Care launched “Health & Living conditions”, funded by the Department of Health pilot to establish the links between health and housing.

1996

Help & Care Bournemouth was dissolved and a new charitable company Help & Care was formed.

1995

In 1985, we celebrated Help & Care’s 10th Anniversary by having a party, where the Director of Social Services said that Help & Care was “constructively stroppy”. Additionally, we launched a new logotype taking this opportunity.

The organisation launched Handihelp Club (later Handyvan, and now Handiworks Plus), and Carerslink was extended to all Dorset.

This year we also bought and started refurbishing the Pokesdown Centre, thanks to being awarded with £158,000 grant from the National Lottery Charities Board Trusts. We also raised £297 from a Charity Football Match between Help & Care Staff and AFC Bournemouth V 2CR (local radio station).

 We launched the Advocacy Service and a campaign to highlight loneliness and isolation.

1994

Help & Care moved into the dilapidated Pokesdown Centre. Despite its grandeur from the outside, the building was hugely damaged in the inside, and within a year the roof collapsed. 

1993

Help & Care held the first Annual Event at Pavilion Ballroom. This year we also discovered the former Pokesdown Science, Art and Technical school in Christchurch Road, in Bournemouth; a huge, red brick, Victorian building which sadly was boarded up due to significant damages. The possibility of moving was first discussed.

1992

1992 was a decisive year for Help & Care, as the organisation secured funding for Carerslink, Care & Repair, and Roots services, and dealt with its first customers. The organisation purchased its very first computer and grew its workforce to eight employees.

1991

Charity Projects (Comic Relief) agreed to two year funding to develop projects to empower older people and “Bournemouth Senior Citizens Forum” was established.

Help & Care employed four people.

1990

Development Worker Mark Sharman became a Director of the charity.

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