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Our Work in the Community
Our work in the community, our support

We are proud of our Plymouth roots and always look to give something back to the community. We regularly become involved in community projects and issues both firmwide and on an individual basis.

St Luke’s Hospice (2010 – 2011)

This year the staff at GA have elected to support St Luke’s Hospice. 
 
St Luke’s is a very worthwhile local charity that provides care and support for over 2,000 cancer patients each year. This help is provided either at the Hospice or in the patient’s home, whichever is preferred.
 
Specialist nursing and medical care is provided by dedicated medical staff and the Hospice also provides social work and chaplaincy staff to support patients and their families. Complementary therapies such as Reiki and aromatherapy can also be provided.
The Hospice costs over £5 million a year to run, of which £3.5 million is raised by charitable donations, so we hope we can aid them in raising the money they desperately need. In previous years of supporting St Luke’s Hospice, staff at GA have raised money a number of ways including; taking part in St Luke’s midnight walk, holding bake days at work and contributing all proceeds from their dress down days to the charity. This year it is also hoped that GA staff will add a parachute jump to their list of money raising events for St Luke’s as well as taking part in other initiatives organised by the charity.

Woodside Animal Welfare Trust (2009 – 2010)

Our chosen charity this year is Plymouth's Woodside Animal Welfare Trust who care for and rehome many animals each year including cats, dogs, rabbits, goats, sheep and even the occasional pot bellied pig!  On average, the Trust cares for around 1000 animals per year and gives permanent residential care to elderly and infirm pets, as well as supporting the wild feral cat colonies in the area.  The Trust also actively promotes responsible pet ownership in the area.

GillAkaster will be taking part in many fundraising events this year to help raise money for this charity.  This will include things such as the company BBQ and raffle, sponsored walks, the Plymouth half marathon and the collection and donation of toys, toiletries, books and bedding to the Trust.

We hope that our fundraising efforts this year will assist Woodside with necessary funds to provide urgently needed isolation units and to continue with the day to day running costs for the sanctuary, which have been particularly badly affected during this time of recession.

Tavistock Memory Cafe (2011-2012)

This year the staff at GA voted to support Tavistock Memory Cafe.  This means that all charitable donations raised by the staff this year will be donated to the charity. 

Tavistock Memory Cafe meets on alternate Saturday afternoons throughout the year at the Anchorage Centre in Tavistock.  They offer social opportunities in a relaxed environment for those living with dementia and memory impairment.  Typical programmes include table top games, poetry and communal singing as well as occasional days out to the theatre or places of interest.  The charity also provides carers with the opportunity to confidentially discuss concerns they may have as well as providing them with support in their role as carer. 

Look Good Feel Better

Full time staff member, Debbie Hodgins, has previous experience as a make-up artist and as part of our work in the community.  Debbie spends several afternoons volunteering her services at Derriford Hospital’s Mustard Tree, as part of the Look Good Feel Better team. 

Look Good Feel Better is a charity set up by the Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association, that aims to help women undergoing treatment for cancer to look and feel more confident.  Being diagnosed with cancer can be daunting and life changing and the added stress of appearance related side effects of cancer treatments can be very demoralising, leading to low self esteem and lack of confidence.  Volunteers, such as Debbie, at the Look Good Feel Better workshops provide these ladies with much needed support, advice and demonstrations on the application of cosmetics to help disguise some of these side effects.  

We at Gill Akaster feel that this is a very worthwhile scheme and are pleased to enable Debbie to continue this valuable work in our local community. 

If you would like to find out more about the Look Good Feel Better workshops then please go to www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk 

YOUR LEGAL CHAMPION

What our clients say

‘We both wish to extend our appreciation to you and your staff for the courteous and professional manner in which you have represented us in the sale of our home.’

             Mr T

 

 

‘We would like to thank you for your assistance throughout this matter. The writer has been impressed by your professionalism and in particular the speed and courtesy with which you have dealt with matters. It has been a pleasure to deal with you accordingly.’

             Mr B

 

‘On behalf of the family beneficiaries and myself, we wish to thank you for your understanding and professional help through this transaction.’

            Mr M