SUPPORTERS of a Leamington-based homelessness charity have stepped out to raise much-needed funds.
The Salvation Army’s Way Ahead Project recently held ‘One Small Step’ to raise funds to allow it to continue to support local homeless and vulnerably housed people.
It saw six supporters and two members of staff take on a 5km walk in small groups or household bubbles. The event raised some £750.
Way Ahead Project fund-raiser Stephanie Jackson said: “We have kept our doors open throughout the pandemic, changing what services we provided according to restrictions at the time. But this has taken a toll on our finances.
“The idea of a fundraising walk came to us when we thought about how many of the people who rely on the Way Ahead Project for support and advice, find themselves walking the streets either looking for a place to sleep or just because they need to keep out of the way of that friend or family member who is providing a sofa to sleep on, until it’s time for bed.
“We also wanted to acknowledge that, for many of those people who use our facilities, asking us for help is one small step towards addressing the underlying cause of their homelessness whether that is addiction, mental health issues or destructive relationships.
“A big part of our work with these vulnerable members of our community involves building relationships of trust so that we can help them turn that one small step into a real transformation and support them as they get their lives back on track.”
The money raised will support the Way Ahead Project’s drop-in facilities which are open five mornings a week.
Last year, the project worked with more than 260 people to provide them with food in the form of takeaway lunches and food parcels, as well as advice and support on issues ranging from sorting out housing benefits to coping with social isolation to learning how to budget.
Stephanie added, “We had hoped to hold this event in person because we know the importance of being able to interact with other people – being a listening ear is one of the most important jobs we do.
“But it was safer to make this a virtual event for 2021. We’re looking forward to holding a “real” One Small Step walk next year.”
Visit https://justgiving.com/campaign/the-way-ahead-project to donate to the project.
