St Monica Trust

Supporting the lives of older people in the West of England has been part of the vision of the St Monica Trust since it began over 100 years ago. Today our charitable giving team helps tackle a variety of issues by distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds to individuals, families and organisations across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North-East Somerset. Our aim is to help older people live independently in their own community for as long as possible. We do this by helping individuals with financial support through our Individual Giving Fund. The feedback we receive from the recipients of these grants and their support workers demonstrates the importance of this work and the impact it can have on individuals' lives. To find out more about our grants, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eyw2HYwv

🍻 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ‘𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬’ 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 🍻 The Hoppiness Project will see our residents brew a centenary beer from hops grown at our retirement villages and care homes to celebrate 100 years of caring. Residents of all abilities, especially those who are living with dementia, will help grow, tend and harvest the hops. They’ll also tour local breweries, market the beer, and celebrate with a traditional Wassailing. Working in collaboration with Alive Activities and local brewers, the project is all about promoting healthy ageing and meaningful connections. Cheers to 100 years! Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e-2mhM_S #HoppinessProject #HealthyAgeing #AgeingWell #Wellbeing #Connection #Contribution #Choice #CentenaryCelebration

📢 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 We’re thrilled to announce that four incredible organisations have been awarded a grant as part of our £108,000 Volunteering and Employment for Older People Fund! Despite bringing decades of experience, many older people face barriers in employment and volunteering. We are proud to support projects that are dedicated to creating communities where older people are respected, supported, and empowered to live full, purposeful lives. A huge congratulations to: 🌟 Age UK Bath & North East Somerset - Ageing Well: Empowering Through Employment & Volunteering 🌟 Age UK Bristol – Age Friendly Employment 🌟 Hub Weston CIC – Age Advantage 🌟 National Centre for Integrative Medicine – Optimum Health in Later Life – Supporting Older People to Live Well, Work and Volunteer By empowering older people to continue working and volunteering for as long as they wish, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone, no matter their age, can live a fulfilling and meaningful life. 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4f-9hQd #Connection #Contribution #Choice #AgeFriendlyWorkplaces #SupportingOlderPeople #StMonicaTrust

A big thank you to everyone who has submitted to our 100 Good Ideas campaign! We have received over 250 fantastic ideas, with contributions from colleagues, residents, charity partners, local universities and many more. This week we will be shortlisting the best ideas, before unveiling the top 100 ideas at our Innovation Forum on Thursday 27 March at our Cote Lane retirement village. This 1-day event (9.30am – 4.00pm) is open to everyone who has contributed - residents, colleagues and external partners. The event will help shape our mission-driven approach to Innovation at St Monica Trust. You can see the full agenda and register here: https://lnkd.in/eCCv24Qt Thank you again for all your fantastic ideas, and if you’re buzzing with more, please email our Innovation Team directly: innovation@stmonicatrust.org.uk #100GoodIdeas #Innovation #Contribution #HealthyAgeing #AgeingWell #Retirement #StMonicaTrust

💜 Happy International Women’s Day 💜 Today, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women who inspire us every day, both within our St Monica Trust communities and beyond. International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to amplify the focus on gender equality. At St Monica Trust, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where women thrive, lead, and shape the future. Let’s empower, uplift, and support the amazing women around us - not just today, but every day! #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #IWD #AccelerateAction

Through our sector-leading Care Academy, we’re not only investing in our own colleagues but also supporting other organisations with our first-class training. Last week, our training team had the pleasure of visiting John Cabot Academy to teach Year 12 and 13 students crucial Basic Life Support (BLS) training. Led by our qualified instructors, the interactive workshop allowed the students to gain hands on experience in a supportive environment. Our training manager, Clare Reeve, said: “These workshops not only equipped over 60 students with life-saving techniques but also boosted their confidence to act during emergencies. It was fantastic to see everyone getting involved in CPR practice, asking questions, and enjoying the experience.” This is just one of the ways our Care Academy is making a difference. Find out more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/edqtCM9h #Care #Training #Learning #CareTraining #CareAcademy

We are delighted to share that over the past six months the BME Elders Health and Well-being Project, delivered by Alive Activities, has benefitted 140 individuals. We’re proud to joint fund this fantastic initiative with Quartet Community Foundation, John James Bristol Foundation, THE ANCHOR SOCIETY CIO, and The Grateful Society, supporting three BME elders groups. Through social activities, day trips, open-door events, leadership opportunities, and advice sessions, this initiative helps older adults stay connected, share skills, and access vital support. Highlights include: 🖼️ The Evergreen group had their portraits displayed at the RWA Exhibition 🏛️ They were also invited by the National Trust to visit the Assembly Rooms in Bath for a guided tour focusing on Black History 🍽️ The Golden Agers passed down their cooking skills to younger generations in a project with UWE, Co-exist and Fairfield School The impact? ✔️ Improved health and well-being ✔️ Reduced loneliness and digital exclusion ✔️ Greater financial resilience and independence ✔️ Stronger sense of community By fostering independence, joy and a sense of belonging among its members, this project is creating lasting change. #Connection #Contribution #Choice #CommunitySupport #MakingADifference #Funding #CharitableGiving #CharitableFoundation #StMonicaTrust

Just a couple days left to submit your idea on how we can support more people - in our communities and beyond - to live healthy, independent lives as they grow older! Everyone who contributes is invited to join our Innovation Forum in Bristol on 27 March 2025, where we will share the top 100 ideas and debate and discuss how to implement them 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCCv24Qt Submit your idea by 9:00am on Wednesday 5 March here: https://lnkd.in/ez-GGkNB #100GoodIdeas #Innovation #HealthyAgeing #AgeingWell #Retirement #StMonicaTrust

Please share this campaign far and wide - whether you work in #socialcare, you're an 'older adult' (whatever that means!), or you have a loved one living with #dementia or another age related illness, St Monica Trust need YOUR IDEAS to help create healthy, happy, independent and yet connected futures for all.

Our historic organ has returned home! 🎉 After a once-in-a-lifetime organ restoration project, we have welcomed back the beautifully restored nineteenth century organ to St Augustine’s Chapel in our Cote Lane retirement village. Built by master organ builder "Father" Henry Willis, the organ dates back to the 1890s and was relocated to the chapel in 1926. As custodians of this remarkable instrument, we knew its restoration was essential to preserving its rich musical heritage and ensuring the organ can be enjoyed by future generations. A huge thank you to the team at Harrison & Harrison Ltd and professional organ advisor Dr William McVicker for their incredible work and expertise. The restoration process was no small feat. Last year, the eight-tonne instrument, complete with six soundboards and actions - which together have hundreds of moving parts - as well as 1,436 pipes, was carefully dismantled and transported to Harrison and Harrison’s workshop in Durham. Now, after months of skilled craftsmanship, the organ is back where it belongs. Take a look at its grand return! #OrganRestoration #CoteLane #Bristol #StMonicaTrust