Impact
In 2017 we provided 1:1 support to over 750 local people…
We had nearly 10,000 visits to our Community Café, and served over 7,500 meals!
We provided 394 hot meals for free, to the homeless and to families in financial crisis during school holidays. We issued 172 vouchers for people in need to access the local food larder. We saved over £500 each month thanks to food donations from Tesco, Lidl and M&S!
We provided over 1,000 hours of 1:1 advice, support and counselling at the Cafe, to 270 people.
We helped people facing issues including homelessness, housing, benefits, budgeting, unemployment, addiction, mental health and domestic abuse.
“A wonderful place to go.
Good food, good company, pleasant atmosphere.
The work, help and assistance they give is incredible. Highly recommend.
To all the staff and volunteers, many thanks, much appreciated.
Keep up the good work!”
We supported 11 families through the Child Contact Centre, enabling 18 children to spend quality time with the parent that they no longer live with. Over the course of the year, we were thrilled to support 6 families to move on to have contact in the community.
“The centre has been invaluable to us. It has given my daughter the time and safe space to rebuild a relationship with her dad. We can’t thank you enough. My daughter now sees her dad on a regular basis and we have both been able to move on with our lives. Thank you!”
We have had over 2,800 visits to Men’s Shed.
50-60 men per week enjoying friendship together and working on projects to benefit the local community.
“I went to the Men’s Shed as I was practically a recluse, only going out every two or three weeks to do some shopping. I needn’t have worried, everyone was very welcoming.
It was exactly what I was looking for, somewhere to socialise with other men and learn new skills. I have been learning the scroll saw for about a year under Syd’s excellent instruction and have now reached intermediate level.
Men’s Shed is great. It gives me something worthwhile to do during the day.”
Nightshift statistics
24 people emotionally supported
49 acts of giving (water, flip flops, sleeping bags, hot drinks etc)
12 first aid situations / ambulance called
3 potentially volatile situations diffused
Our “Angels in Blue Coats!”
40-50 children supported every day through the Ice drop in, ‘The Hub’
40 students mentored through the Ice Mentoring Program, helping with issues including low self esteem, self harm, anger management, and unhealthy relationships.
28 ‘Inspirational Children in Education’ and their families celebrated at the Ice Awards.
32 anxious primary school children supported through the Ice Transition Day.
And our Haven project had an amazing first year…
Supporting 45 children and 15 parents
Enabling 6 anxiety based school refusers to return to mainstream education
Seeing 14 children grow in confidence to feel able to move on from Haven
Empowering 3 families to gain Special Educational Needs diagnoses
Celebrating 2 former secondary group members who are now junior leaders at our primary group!
As one SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) told us:
“The Haven project has transformed the lives of this family. The children are both more confident and accepting of their situation (multiple family bereavements). Issues that existed in the past such as coming to school and going to bed, following instructions at home, have disappeared. The boys are now focused and attend well in school and are making great progress. Mum’s anxiety has decreased and she is much happier, more confident and rested. This in turn has enabled her to more effectively support her children, engage with and enjoy her job, and feel empowered again as a mum. Thank you!”
None of this would have been possible without our incredible team of 90 volunteers, who gave over 11,500 hours across our projects throughout the year.
And huge thanks to all our funders who helped us generate £164,343 of income and enabled us to spend £168,732 on making a difference in our community. As of 31st December 2017, our reserves totaled £80,095, of which £77,773 is unrestricted.
To all those who have supported us with time, money, donations, encouragement and prayer – thank you.
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