CHARITIES are being celebrated through a national event taking place on Friday.

Local Charities Day aims to put small, local charities and community groups in to the spotlight to help them thrive and demonstrate the great work they do in their areas.

Bolton CVS, which has been running for 26 years, is taking the opportunity to showcase some of the many groups and organisations who give their time and resources to make Bolton better for everyone.

Farzana Patel, from Bolton CVS said: "Local Charities Day gives Bolton CVS the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing contribution of our communities from all across the borough and the volunteers who give their time and resources to make Bolton better for everyone, celebrating achievements and promoting what excellent activities are out there."

Halliwell Befriending Service

The befriending service provides valuable support which is about tackling loneliness of isolated and vulnerable people living in Halliwell.

Volunteers enable carers and family members to have a break from caring with the reassurance that their loved ones have company while they are not at home.

A wealth of activities are also on offer with the aim of promoting independence and providing opportunities for people to get together socially.

For more information or to get involved with the service visit www.westboltonteam.org.uk/st-paul/halliwell-befriending-service or email halliwellbefriending@gmail.com

Endeavour Project – Paws For Kids

The project supports Bolton families experiencing and escaping domestic abuse. They have four projects helping low, medium and high risk victims escape and survive domestic abuse.

One of their services is pet fostering which gives people direct access to temporary accommodation why they have pets as part of their family.

This year their pet fostering service helped 47 families escape abuse, by fostering 75 pets.

In the 19 years they have been in Bolton they have helped 1,074 families escape abuse by fostering pets- including tarantulas, toads, and even a Madagascan hissing cockroach.

People looking to volunteer or donate visit www.pawsforkids.org.uk

Bolton Deaf Society

The society is an independent charity that supports the deaf and hard of hearing people of Bolton.

The centre has been in Bark Street in the town centre for over 40 years and is well known within the deaf community providing a range of weekly social events and activities.

Their chapel, which is part of the Diocese of Manchester holds signed services on the first Tuesday of every month for the community.

Changes to the rooms this year have enabled the group to be able to reinstate their pool and darts teams and new lifts have been fitted to allow less mobile members to attend social activities.

To find out more about the society visit www.boltondeafsociety.co.uk/

Harrowbys Centre

The centre is part of the national charity Home Farm Trust which supports adults with learning difficulties and complex needs.

Harrowbys services concentrate on local people and local needs with the aim of promote social inclusion, health, well-being, and independence.

They help people to access social, vocational and educational opportunities within their local community.

In the last 12 months the centre has been successful in obtaining a grant to create a community garden which enables the service users to have a sensory experience while growing plants, fruit and vegetables.

The centre is always looking for volunteers whether it be on a long term or for a one-off event.

To find out more of to donate www.hft.org.uk/

Bolton U3A

The group promotes life-long learning and related social activities among retired or semi-retired citizens who consider themselves to have reached 'the third age' of life.

They meet once a month in the Bolton Hub and have 35 groups run by members, across a wide variety of subjects.

They already have 350 members and have their sights set on increasing that to 400 members next year.

The U3A is a great opportunity for people to make new friends and stay active.

For more information visit www.u3asites.org.uk/bolton/home

Celebrating Khulisa

The national charity works with offenders and youths at risk of offending.

They help reduce crime and violence by building resilience and opportunities for those most vulnerable.

Activities are provided to young people at risk of social exclusion with programmes of support that work towards preventing young people falling into a cycle of crime and violence.

Khulisa has worked with 50 young people across Bolton to offer therapeutic activities such as drama therapy and sessions that build greater self-awareness and positive social identities for those taking part.

To find out more visit www.khulisa.co.uk

BAND

This group works and supports people aged 16 upwards with lived experience of a mental health condition.

They provide a range of services from befriending, mentoring, information this helps people to build confidence, make new friendships and manage negative thoughts and symptoms of anxiety.

This year they have developed two exciting new projects in partnership with Urban Outreach and Red Cross and a new pilot project supporting people as they are discharged from stays on psychiatric wards at the hospital.

To find out more about visit: http://www.band.org.uk/

Jigsaw

Jigsaw provides a place where stroke survivors and their carers can come together to discuss caring problems and make new friends.

They provide a light hearted environment to support survivors and help them to get their confidence and wellbeing back.

The group has developed into a happy social group which has a lively atmosphere.

Jigsaw has had several funding successes this year which means the group can now continue their services next year.

The funding has allowed the members of the group to go on several trips and this has given them more confidence to go out more.

To find out more about the group visit www.jigsaw-bsg.org.uk

Headspace

Based in the Octagon Theatre, Headspace is an exciting and creative outlet for young people and adults with mental health issues where people can freely express their unique traits and individuality. People utilise their skills by focusing on positive personal, social, professional achievement and success, without direct focus upon mental health.

Headspace was set up seven years ago to promote positive change for the individual and challenges misconceptions often held by society, focusing on creativity and leadership for participants.

For more information visit: www.octagonbolton.co.uk/get-involved/adults/headspace/

Neo Artists

The organisation gives artists a space to showcase their work in various offices and shops across the town.

In addition to their permanent studios in Corporation Street they also manage shops and offices in Churchgate providing temporary project spaces for artists.

This year they have held a successful programme of exhibitions in their gallery including an international print prize which attracted submissions from all over the world.

To find out more visit www.neoartists.co.uk

Bolton Mutual Aid Centre

The resource centre is for groups based in Deane to help strengthen community cohesion.

They do this by encouraging the diverse communities in the area to learn and socialise together.

Over the last few years they have had many refugees and asylum seekers from many different cultures and communities settling in the local area.

The centre acts as a meeting place for local community groups who meet at the venue to carry out weekly activities and provide a safe haven for vulnerable individuals and communities, enabling members to meet each other and exchange information, ideas and skills.

To find out more or to get in touch visit www.facebook.com/pages/Mutual-Aid-Centre

Trust Music

The charity provides inspirational musical opportunities for young people and their families to develop skills, raise aspirations, and come together through the power of music.

Their goal is to enable young people, including those who are the least engaged, to make music an exciting and fulfilling part of their lives.

The group holds a popular drop-in adult music activity at The Music Box in Victoria Hall which gives adults the change to engage in a number of different music sessions.

The trust has had a busy year, to find out more and to get involved visit www.trustmusic.org.uk