As we come towards the end of 2024, it seems high time we gave everyone an update on what we’ve been doing. 

Counselling

In September, we were pleased to add another counsellor to the team that works in Oxted School, meaning we know have five counsellors going in to the school, providing twenty six one-to-one counselling sessions for pupils, each week. When we started providing counselling in Oxted School in February 2023, we were offering just twelve sessions a week. To have more than doubled our capacity in eighteen months is a real testament to the success of the programme, and to the efforts of the counselling team and the Oxted School Student Wellbeing Team. 

We also continue to work with Heads Together, part of YMCA East Surrey, as well a number of independent counsellors, in order to offer one-to-one counselling sessions outside of Oxted School. Sessions are available for young people aged up to 24 in the Oxted area, and if you would like to request a counselling referral then please email support@clockwork.org.uk 

The feedback from users of our counselling services continues to be very positive, and we will continue to work hard to positively impact the mental health and wellbeing of young people in our community. 

A Big Thank You to Our Supporters

There are significant costs related to providing such services, and our ability to financially underwrite this is reliant on the generosity of our supporters, so our deepest thanks if you have given to Clockwork, whether that is directly or by supporting someone raising money on Clockwork’s behalf. 

Details of Clockwork’s income, expenditure and financial history can be found at https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5119104/charity-overview

Our thanks to all of the following for their incredible fundraising efforts for and/or donations to Clockwork this year: Marshall Wallace; Croham Hurst Golf Club; Oxted Scout Group (who raised money through Cubs Kitchen, where the Cubs prepare a three-course meal and then serve the dinners to family and friends); Caterham, Oxted and Godstone Lions; Titsey Rotary Club; Oxted School (both for their brilliant Oxted Sounds fundraising music event, where the pupils showed off their fantastic musical talents, and for choosing Clockwork as a beneficiary of Sixth Form RAG week); Oxted United Reformed Church; The Broughton Family Charitable Trust; Girls Attack Netball Club; Rockfit and Randy & The Rockets; Raz at Schroders; Tom Jaggers; Andrew MacLachlan; and Tatsfield Primary School, who chose to support Clockwork for World Mental Health Day on 10th October.  

A special mention to Phil Clarke, who cycled around the world!, departing in April 2023 and completing his amazing journey in February 2024. Phil directed people to donate money to Clockwork if they wished to show support for his endeavours, which we greatly appreciate. Congratulations to Phil for his amazing achievement and you can read all about his travels at http://aclarkeadventure.com/

Also, a special thanks to everyone who have recurring direct debit donations to Clockwork set up through our Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) page. To donate through CAF, either as a one-off or more regularly, please visit https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/14091#!/DonationDetails

And thanks again to anyone who has Clockwork as their nominated local charity as part of the Tandridge Together Lottery. It’s very quick and easy to sign up (at tandridgelottery.co.uk).  Each ticket costs £1 per week, with a maximum weekly prize of £25,000. For each ticket sold, 50p goes to your chosen good cause, and an extra 10p to other good causes in the community. 

Upcoming Events

On Friday 22nd November, at Limpsfield Royal British Legion, we will be having a fundraising quiz night (emphasis on the ‘fun’!) when we present The Massive Music Quiz. 

From Motown, to classic rock, noughties R&B, to 90s pop, we will be covering it all – there may even be a classical tune or two thrown in for good measure! So, get ready to name the song intros; complete the missing lyrics; tell us what film that iconic tune comes from; and to remember which album cover that is?

Teams are a maximum of 6 people, and tickets, priced at £10 a person, can be purchased from https://wegottickets.com/event/637643. There will be prizes on offer, and all proceeds from the evening will go to Clockwork. We hope to see you there! 

And, as thoughts turn to Christmas, we are pleased to say that George Trapp is once again selling his magnificent Christmas Trees this year, with all profits going to Clockwork. This is such a wonderful ongoing gesture from George, and we cannot thank him enough. A 5-6 foot tree costs £39, and a 6-7 foot tree costs £47 (other sizes available by request). Trees are of the Nordman (non-drop) variety and are of very good quality. 

To place your order please contact George at georgretrapp1961@gmail.com. Last orders are Wednesday 27th November, and trees will be available to collect from Idol Hands – in Station Road West, Oxted – on Friday 6th December between 3 and 5pm; or delivery to your doorstep can be arranged for just £5. 

Wishing everyone a great end to 2024, and a brilliant start to 2025!