The Dreamers Bar in Huntingdon is part of the charity "Voice Ability" (which is based in Cambridge). It is run by, and for, local adults with learning disabilities, and is a place where vulnerable and sometimes isolated people can socialise and make friends. They meet once a week where they can take part in games, Karaoke and other activities but most importantly socialise with friends with the support of their carers etc. They run on limited funds and previously had to hire the Karaoke machine and other regularly used equipment
Six volunteers with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions are supported to run the Dreamers’ Bar, and have received training on managing food hygiene, customer service, handling money, working as part of a team and project planning.
They are supported by a Project coordinator with two Peer Coaches (adults with learning disabilities who have moved into paid roles to pass on their skills and support to others) to provide a route from volunteering into paid employment.
The master of Socrates Lodge 373 last year, W.Bro Philip Miles, used the opportunity to make the Dreamers Bar his chosen charity for the year to try and raise some money so they can buy their own Karaoke machine and other much needed equipment. From raffles at a few Socrates Lodge social events, the main raffle at their Ladies Festival plus a few personal donations, they managed to raise £1,300, which the Province then kindly increased to a total of £2,500.
In March this year, W.Bro Buster Edwards (Socrates Charity Steward), W.Bro John Benson, W.Bro Mike Jolly and the Worshipful Master Philip Miles went along to one of their weekly meetings to present the cheque for £2,500 to them as you can see in the attached photograph.