The Best Of Portsmouth is pleased to publish the press release that we received and offer congratulations to all concerned :-

Lottery Bid Success Signals

Good News for the over 50’s in Portsmouth

For Immediate release

Hannah Joyce

September 2014

Portsmouth – Local charity Mustard Seed Ministries receives 5 years ‘Reaching Communities’ funding from the Big Lottery Fund for its Personal Choice project. This funding will enable Personal Choice to enhance their work in the community supporting the well being of people 50+ in Portsmouth.

Located at The Oasis Centre, Arundel Street the charity has for a number of years been successfully serving some of the most needy people in our inner city communities. With this injection of fresh funding will come many exciting initiatives that will build on the present Advice Centre and the popular Lunch Club. Indeed there are already plans to introduce classes for IT, photography, art and cooking along with a brand new Job Club for the 50 plus.

The Personal Choice Centre will be developed as a significant and strategic hub in Portsmouth providing easy access through a 'one stop shop' for a wide range of services providing all sorts of advice, guidance and support.

To celebrate the re launch of the Personal Choice services There will be an Open Event on Wednesday the 22nd of October at the Oasis Centre on Arundel Street. The event is a brilliant opportunity for people to meet the staff and find out more about the Charity. Open from 12:30 till 2:30pm it will also include a Free Lunch.

Hannah Joyce who heads up Personal Choice said “Our current service users and friends are very excited about the funding and are looking forward to the new activities, we would like to invite everybody over the age of 50 to come and meet us and find out more about how we might help”

Further Information about Personal Choice -

The aim of the project is to decrease the social isolation of older people in Portsmouth, and provide advice to address the problems of economic and social deprivation and improve their independence and well being. The project is located in a socially and financially deprived area (Charles Dickens ward) and is in a prime position to address these issues for older people.

The Personal Choice project consists of;

• Lunch Club (Every Wednesday at 12:30)

• ‘Prime Time’ Social Group

• Drop in Advice Centre (Monday – Friday from 10 – 4)

• 50+ Job Club

• Computer Classes

• Other social activities and classes

At the Drop in Advice Centre no topic is too big or too small. We can help with anything from filling out forms to support with Continuing Care applications, and anything in between. If we do find that we cannot offer you specialist advice in an area then we are more than happy to signpost you to another service who can help.

The Lunch Club is run every Wednesday and offers people from the community the opportunity to enjoy a lovely home cooked meal and dessert within a comfortable and social environment. A donation of £4 is recommended, but please call ahead if there is a problem with this amount and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Volunteers –

We are always looking for new volunteers to help out with our various projects. Do you like working with or supporting older people? If you would like to dedicate some time to helping people in your local community please get in touch to discuss the various volunteering opportunities we have on offer. All your help is greatly appreciated.

For more information please contact Hannah Joyce on 02392 346440.