STaSS has developed a fantastic new presence on the social networking site, Facebook. The new STaSS Page will enable two-way communication between our website content and our friends on Facebook.
Please visit our new STaSS Page and click on ‘Like’ to connect with us.
If you are a member of our STaSS Milton Keynes Group on Facebook, please note that we will be closing this Group soon.
STaSS received an unexpected donation from one of the social work teams at Milton Keynes Council who held a collection amongst themselves to mark World AIDS Day. We’ve recently established a Hardship Fund for service users so we plan to put the money into that account. The Hardship Fund enables us to help service users who suddenly find themselves in a difficult situation and we’re very grateful that donations such as this have enabled to set up this Fund.
STaSS has a slot on 16th December 2011 between 1.00 and 5.00 p.m. in the Shopping Centre MK to sell raffle tickets in the Community Car Auction. We need to try and sell as many tickets as possible, as all the charities involved in selling tickets get a percentage of the ticket money, and the more tickets you sell the more funds you raise! If you can spare some time to help us, even if it’s only an hour please let Carole our Service Co-ordinator know by emailing her at carole@stass.org.uk or phoning on 01908 282185.
Our Ball at the end of November proved to be a big success. Ticket sales went slowly at the start but there was a sudden flurry towards the end and well over 100 people dined and danced the night away. The Silent Auction raised lots of money for us, with the bottle of whisky signed by the Prime Minister going for a phenomenal £80! We’d like to say a very big thank you to all those local individuals, firms and businesses who donated the prizes, they certainly helped to make the night go with a swing.
Count Me In is an exciting campaign that’s goal is to stop the spread of HIV in the gay community and you can be part of it. Watch the video below from some of the people who have counted themselves in already.
STaSS and other local agencies are holding a World AIDS health fayre at the STaSS office in Kingston on 9th December. We’ll be offering HIV quick-tests and local MP Iain Stewart will be dropping-in for a test. We’ll be doing blood-pressure testing too. Everyone will be welcome to drop-in to learn more about HIV/AIDS and sexual health services in Milton Keynes. Representatives from the local GUM clinic, STaSS, MK counselling service, Q:Alliance and a health protection specialist will be giving informal presentations thoughout the day and will be available to chat on an individual basis.
To learn more, please ring us on 01908 282185.
We’ve managed to accumulate a wide range of prizes for the silent auction at the Ball. We thought it might be difficult to persuade local shops and businesses to donate gifts but we’ve found this not to be the case. Our volunteers have worked hard to collect a variety of items including sports memorabilia, patisserie lessons and even a bottle of wine signed by the Prime Minister!
STaSS’ main fund-raising event of the year, the Red Ball will take place at the Hilton Hotel on Friday 25th November. The aim is to raise our profile and make some money at the same time, to enable us to extend our services. Dress code is formal and we’re hoping to see lots of people in, or wearing a touch of red. It’ll be a fun evening with entertainment and an auction. If you’d like to buy tickets please phone our office on 01908 282185.
On the 4th of June 2011, STaSS service users and volunteers visited Vana Trust organic farm. The children had a wonderful time petting the animals, having their faces painting and eating ice creams and cup cakes. For the adults, it was a time to get together for a cuppa and a chat!
National Volunteers’ Week was celebrated from 1-7 June this year. To thank our volunteers and to mark the occasion, STaSS offered volunteers the opportunity to have a free treatment with our therapist. A number of volunteers booked treatments and enjoyed therapies such as neck and shoulder massage and Indian Head therapy. Afterwards we served tea and coffee and homemade cakes. We hope to make this or something similar an annual event as we believe it’s important to acknowledge and say thank you to our volunteers for the valuable help they give us.
