Annual Review 2011

centrepoint

Centrepoint works and campaigns to give homeless young people a future by supporting them directly, and by influencing practice, policy and provision. We use our award-winning Support and Development approach to practice.

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Crisis

Crisis began over 40 years ago as a volunteer-led organisation and much of our work would not be possible without the support of thousands of volunteers.

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Emmaus

Emmaus Communities enable people to move on from homelessness, providing work and a home in a supportive, family environment.

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Save The Family

Save the Family provides sheltered accommodation for local homeless families in north-west England and North Wales.

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Shelter

Shelter was founded in England in 1966 by the Reverend Bruce Kenrick, who was horrified by the state of the tenements round his Notting Hill parish. The setting up of the organisation in Scotland followed in 1968.

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The Big Issue

The Big Issue is one of the UK’s leading social businesses, which seventeen years since its inception continues to offer homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income.

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The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army have spent more than 100 years trying to ensure that those without a home are looked after.

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I have been at CATH for 18 months.  I When I arrived here I was rough, depressed and suicidal due to the loss of my parents and because of this I self harmed badly.  When I came to the day centre I wondered what I let myself in for, I was surrounded by people with severe drug and alcohol problems.  I saw Ron when I arrived and was assessed and got a room in Crispin House immediately.  I them met John the Education Manager and he started to put me on a programme of activities.  I started volunteering in the Clwyd Special Riding Centre and it just snow balled from there. Then I signed up on other courses, like the confidence and communications course.  By doing all these activities has really changed life, it makes me more confident to go out, I was doing stuff I had never done before like, bread making, working as a art therapist volunteer, art and crafts, appearing in a performance at an AGM, litter picking for CWAC and working with retired people at Kingfisher House Retirement Home.   I think if there wasn’t any of these activities I think I would have just continued to self harm, maybe drank more and more, I wouldn’t be where I am now for sure.  Now I am 100% better, so much happier in me.  I now feel I am a valuable member of society.

Stephen Hood

It’s been 12 months since walking the streets and getting a bed in Crispin House.  I was homeless because of a marriage breakdown, my wife left me to be with somebody else, for a while I was ok, my job kept me stable…then things started to slip, work suffered and I started to drink and isolate myself.  I thought I had failed. A friend suggested I needed to go to hospital; they kept me in under observation because I had suicidal thoughts.  I was then referred to HTC.  I was given a bed in Crispin House and was told about the Education upstairs at HTC, it was there I met John Buchanan.  John helped me link up with courses at TNG and NACRO and more importantly I started working as a volunteer.  As I have a building background I really enjoyed the work at Clwyd Special Riding Centre, it gave me a chance to use my skills.  John also got me involved in art classes and other volunteer initiatives such as working for CWAC, Community Day Service andKingfisher Court.  When I first arrived I was very low in esteem with no self worth or value, not knowing which way to turn.   In a period of 12months I built up my confidence, self belief and my purpose in life.  I now have moved into my own flat after a life changing 12 months.  I still work as a volunteer for CATH and will continue to do so because the work is so important.  Maybe I can inspire other people.

All Saints Church, Hoole, has launched a petition after Cheshire West and Chester council (CWAC) did not shortlist CATH in the tendering process to deliver homeless services.

Anyone wishing to view the petition can do so by visiting:

http://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/mgepetitionlistdisplay.aspx?bcr=1

Sleep Out Thanks

 All of us at Chester Aid to the Homeless wish to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in our Sleep Out 2011.
More than 70 brave souls spent the night sleeping out under the stars on December 2^nd 2011 to raise money for CATH. It was nice to see so many familiar faces once again!
Sponsorship is still coming in but to date the Sleep Out has raised in excess of £12,000.  We are extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the Sleep Out and the kind donations for “Sleep Ins”.
All of the money raised is used to support homeless people by providing food, accommodation, education and other services.

Big Lottery

CATH’s Big Lottery client learning project is exceeding all expectations and yielding some impressive outcomes.

Since November CATH clients accessing the project based in Harold Tomlins Centre have achieved a total of 38 vocational/ work related certificates.

• 3 CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme)
• 8 emergency first aid in the workplace
• 16 food hygiene certificates
• 10 manual handling  
• 1 health and safety in crop spraying

John Buchanan, project leader, explained: “This has proved an incredible opportunity for people to gain qualifications who are traditionally not expected to do so.”

CATH 2012 AGM

This year CATH’s AGM will take place on Thursday 6^th September. This will be during the evening. Further details to follow.

CBC Charity Walk

This year’s Chester Business Club Charity walk takes place on Sunday 29^th April at11am Registration from10.30am. The 6 mile walk starts at Chester Racecourse.

Entry £10 per walker, minimum age 16. All walkers are asked to raise a minimum of £50.

 Further details are available from: www.chesterbusinessclub.co.uk