<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">The Blackfriars Settlement charity has been in existence for 124 years working with local people in North Lambeth and Southwark, particularly those who are disadvantaged economically or socially. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Specifically, I have been involved with the older people&rsquo;s services providing a helping hand at lunch time clubs at weekends and on Christmas Day. More recently I have started volunteering for the befriending service for older people. The volunteers are carefully matched to an older person in the area. The older people range from those who are in need of some help with doing the shopping to some that just appreciate a friendly face and a cup of tea.&nbsp;Some of the older people no longer have family or friends nearby and the only people they see every week are the volunteers. These services are crucial to helping older people who are on their own or who find it difficult to get about. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Services are also provided for people with mental health difficulties, for basic skills students and for children &amp; young people of all ages. They seek to provide support through a community development programme, outreach services, a legal advice clinic and access to affordable community space.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">The main reason I am running for the Blackfriars Settlement is not only because it is a fantastic charity to help people in a disadvantaged area but also because of proposed funding cuts that could severely impact the crucial services they provide. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">So please dig deep and donate now.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Don&rsquo;t forget to check out the pictures of my latest 'training'&nbsp;session in Lanzarote...</span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>