Impact Report 2019/2020 “Resilient, Compassionate Communities Where Individuals Thrive in Safe and Secure Homes”
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IMPACT REPORT 2019/2020 “RESILIENT, COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITIES WHERE INDIVIDUALS THRIVE IN SAFE AND SECURE HOMES” IN MEMORY OF KEVIN BURT 1944 - 2020 3 “DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE OUR VALUES CONTENTS HOUSING SOLUTIONS A WELCOME FROM THE FOR INDIVIDUALS CHIEF OFFICER RESPECT AND COMMUNITIES We have a commitment THROUGH PARTNERSHIP, A very warm welcome to this year’s Annual Review – as to fairness and equality. EMPOWERMENT AND usual we’ll be looking back and looking forward. It’s quite a We acknowledge an GOOD PRACTICE.” big year for everyone at The Bridge, as 2020 marks our 25th individual’s needs, beliefs Anniversary. and their right to make The organisation was originally formed to provide a two week their own choices. Christmas Shelter for homeless people. We transformed two QUALITY churches, providing up to 50 places for rough sleepers. Our We have a commitment mission was to provide some winter comfort, some kindness, to delivering excellence; and a non-judgemental space where people could access a providing a high standard doctor, a dentist, and a chiropodist. of services with a person- READ CHARMAINE’S They could have hot showers, haircuts, new clothes, nourishing centred approach. food and Christmas gifts. It was a huge success, and I know STORY ON OUR PARTNERSHIP WEBSITE that many lives were saved as a result. The final piece of the jigsaw was providing housing and homelessness advice, seeking We work with others accommodation for our guests when the shelter closed. to create trusting and positive relationships We have been fortunate to grow our organisation to meet a which enhance the more wide ranging set of needs – and you can find out more delivery of services about that as you read on. for the benefit of the On a sad note, one of our original founders, Kevin Burt, passed community. away earlier this year. Kevin interviewed me for my post, and remained an active volunteer up until very recently. I dedicate EMPOWERMENT this year’s report to him, and pay tribute for all he did. He is We encourage clients and staff to develop 03. A Welcome from the Chief Officer 26. Youth Homelessness Services featured on our front cover. their existing skills and 04. A Message from the Chair of the Board 27. Anna and Seb’s Story This year, we wished Geoff Parker, Chief Executive at knowledge. We help to 05. Paul’s Story 28. Shannon’s Story Charnwood Borough Council, a long and happy retirement; build self-confidence and 06. How Your Donations Help 30. Support Services welcoming Rob Mitchell as the new Chief. Rob brings great increase opportunities 07. Sue’s Story 32. Scott’s Story energy to the role and I look forward to working with him. to make positive 08. The Bridge Turns 25: Our Journey 33. Dawn’s Story We value our special relationship with the council, and it is contributions. 12. Numbers to Note 34. Homeless Offenders Service testament to the fact that highly successful partnerships are 13. Highlights of the Year 35. Steve’s Story a long term investment. POSITIVITY 14. Achieving Our Strategy 36. Building Better Opportunities We also had a change of MP, with Jane Hunt elected as Nicky We have an optimistic 16. Looking Forward 37. Lydia’s Story Morgan’s successor. Nicky was a hardworking, dedicated MP, attitude and approach 18. Our New 4 Year Plan 38. Adam’s Story always accessible and supportive, and I would like to say thanks which is focused upon 20. Food Poverty 39. Rachel’s Story for her public service. I know Jane, our new MP, very well identifying innovative 21. Customer Services 40. Our Staff through her previous role in Nicky’s office, and from her time as solutions for all. 22. Darren’s Story 42. Partners and Supporters a borough councillor. We’ll work together to resolve issues for 24. Housing Advice our constituents. 25. Neil’s Story Finally, thanks and appreciation goes to my staff: they achieve so much, always with kindness, purpose and compassion. I also pay tribute to my supportive Board, who we continue to invest in, and I’m excited to announce that we have five new Trustees, bringing a wealth of knowledge and skills. I wish you well. Peter Davey (Chief Officer) 5 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD PAUL AND FAMILY’S STORY… talk2sort As I look out onto the garden with the sun more dedicated to our cause would be hard “My son started to struggle with school “As a dad and husband, figuring out how shining, it is easy to be lulled into a false sense to find. We thank her for her hard work, her life, approaching his GCSE’s. I could see his best to support my wife and working out of security. The world has changed so much friendship and her support and wish her all enthusiasm and demeanour had changed. together what our kids want from us, what in the last few months that the daily normality the very best for the future. We couldn’t identify what the problem was. their priorities are, is difficult, especially of The Bridge has had to adapt to the ever- juggling jobs and day-to-day life stuff. That During the year, another of our Trustees changing circumstances. “talk²sort Mediation was non-judgmental can get overwhelming in itself sometimes. (Pauline Morrison) sadly left the Board. We and we felt confident that we would be Despite Covid-19 challenges, we have thank her for all the hard work and support supported in the right way. We saw our “I’ve learned a lot about the importance protected jobs and the services we deliver. that she gave to us all during her tenure. Prior mediator once or twice a month for about a of having family space: meal times, a The Senior Management Team have done a to March 2020, the Board were fortunate year. He was our lifeline. morning or weekend together. No agenda, tremendous job in ensuring this. to appoint Rosemary Thomas, and since the just spending time with each other. It’s year end another four Members: Amanda This is our 25th Anniversary year! Who “As parents, we recognised that there are powerful.“ Soraghan, Helen Tighe, Steve Ablett, and would have thought how much things would things that you often don’t want to tell your Joanne Emmet. I thank them all for joining us change; forced to temporarily close our front family. Also, giving him a place to go to if he and hope that they will enjoy being part of facing doors, delivering services at this most needed it, was really good. such a fabulous organisation. crucial time in a completely new and socially- distanced way, while dealing with additional, I also want to pay tribute to our dedicated “For me personally, it helped distil what I was new and very vulnerable clients. and hard-working existing Board of Trustees, seeing and feeling, offering exercises to help who do so much to support the organisation: me work out how best to support my son. It Our services have never been more important. Richard White, Jon Olds, Karen Jewell, Sue helped me identify where priorities might be; We have seen such generosity of spirit from Lees and Ashiedu Joel. They continue to until you experience a new situation, it’s hard the public, businesses, local organisations, ensure that we undertake our governance to recognise what is important and what councils, churches, politicians, and more. role properly, supporting the organisation and needs to be done. Thank you all so much for your continued giving unstintingly their time and expertise. support. No organisation can exist without the hard I would like to record my sincere thanks to work of its Executive Officers and the staff Rachel White, who retired from the Board in and I want to thank them all for the fabulous November. Over the years, Rachel has been work that they have undertaken during the a stalwart of the Board and the organisation; “I’VE LEARNED A last 12 months. always happy to lend a hand, supporting staff LOT ABOUT THE and the Board in everything we do. Someone Jay Webb (Chair of the Board of Trustees) IMPORTANCE OF HAVING FAMILY SPACE” Amanda Soraghan Jay Webb Jo Emmett Sue Lees Steve Ablett Richard White Rosie Thomas Ashiedu Joel Jon Olds Karen Jewell Helen Tighe 7 HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELP… SUE’S STORY… Housing Matters You can create brighter Moreover, we have seen consistent increases After being offered a job in the area, Sue left “They helped me no end with things like my futures for those facing in the amount of support we receive online, her hometown and relocated… But the job debts and a Starter Pack including household housing crisis. on social media and in the community. I didn’t materialise. The money she had barely items. They gave me two packs of food and I have had the pleasure of attending events, covered her initial moving costs and she just cried. Sometimes it’s the little things. £10 can provide 3 telephone assessment from fayres, to school assemblies to raise was left with nothing; she was supported by calls for local people in need. awareness of our work. Housing Matters. “Applying for Universal Credit is a long process and I didn’t have any money from This year, our services have continued to We hugely appreciate every click, every “When the job didn’t materialise, nobody August until October. It was awful. thrive with the generosity of local businesses, share of our posts and every word-of-mouth had told me that I had to pay rent at that community members, organisations, and conversation: each time you support us, particular time and I ended up with a lot “My Housing Matters Support Worker trust funders.