LOCAL HEROES

My “local heroes” category refers to small, specialised charities which happen to be based locally to me. I think the term “local heroes” is very apt, because charities like these are almost always heavily dependent on the efforts of local groups of volunteers, donors and supporters, without whom they would not be able to survive. Times have been especially difficult for such charities over the past two years, due to the impact of the pandemic on their fundraising activities – and with an international crisis now dominating the headlines, it’s even harder for them to gain the attention and support they deserve.

  • In the listings below, I give a brief description of each charity in my Local Heroes category, plus a link to their website, for further information.

  • If you decide to hire me, for any of my photography-based services, you may choose Local Heroes as your Charity Preference.

  • This means that when you make payment, half my net income from the work I undertake for you will be divided between the charities listed below.

  • Of course, you may also donate directly to any of these charities. Just click on the donations button, which opens the charity’s fundraising page.

DOROTHY HOUSE

Dorothy House Hospice Care gives specialised care and support both to people with life limiting illnesses and to their carers and families. For some forty-five years, it as has served a substantial local community which includes Bath and North East Somerset and neighbouring areas of Somerset and Wiltshire. Acclaimed for its pioneering approach in palliative and end of life care, Dorothy House focusses above all on quality of life, giving patients the compassionate care and support they need to live well and to die peacefully when the time comes.

SOUNDWELL MUSIC THERAPY TRUST

Soundwell provides music therapy within the South West, for adults whose lives are seriously affected by mental health issues. Music can communicate where words fail, making it an ideal medium for exploring experiences and feelings, which may initially be too hard to verbalise. Providing over 300 music therapy sessions each year, Soundwell supports people in their mental health recovery and provide emotional support to carers, using music to explore creativity, communication and expression. This can rebuild hope and transform lives. 

BATH CATS & DOGS HOME

Bath Cats and Dogs Home is committed to the welfare of companion animals, to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home pets who are unwanted, neglected or mistreated. Last year, the charity took in just under 800 animals, of which 351 were strays, and found loving, forever homes for 500 pets. Staff and volunteers are finding that animals coming into the Home are needing more and more complex treatment, rehabilitation and care. Each animal is given a thorough health assessment in our on-site vets suite, a warm cosy kennel or cat pod, nutritious food, and any vaccinations and medication they may need for infections or longer term conditions. Specialist carers work on trust and behavioural issues, with lots of love and affection, until they are ready to be found their loving forever home.

THE LITTLE ZOO

The Little Zoo is a small exotic animal charity, based in Wiltshire, which provides a sanctuary for a wide variety of unwanted exotic pets – including snakes, tarantulas, raccoons, meerkats, ocelots and servals. The Little Zoo also regularly cares for rescued native animals, seeking wherever possible to return them to the wild. In recent years, the Zoo has invested heavily in providing a home for a pack of Eurasian wolves – and offers a variety of “Wolf-Experience” events, which help cover the cost of caring for all of the Zoo’s animals.

Note: A donations button can be found on The Little Zoo’s home page.

DESIGNABILITY

Designability was established in Bath in 1968 with the aim of designing and creating life-changing products that enable disabled people to live with greater independence. The charity is well known for its Wizzybug powered wheelchairs which it provides for free to young disabled children across the UK. In addition, Designability’s work to make electric vehicle charging accessible, and its project to create a wheelchair-attachable pushchair, are blazing a trail to address just some of the inequalities disabled people face.

TREE AID

Based in Bristol, Tree Aid is an international development charity that focuses on working with communities in the drylands of Africa. Its aim is to tackle poverty and the effects of climate change by growing trees, improving people's incomes, and restoring and protecting land.  Based on the principle that tackling poverty and protecting the environment are inseparable, all of Tree Aid’s projects are led by local people, with two main aims. First, to support communities to generate their own source of income, tackling poverty today. Second, to protect the future, by improving the environment and soil fertility, and tackling the effects of the climate crisis, for tomorrow.