It's been a busy year so far!
From settling in to our new Day Centre premises, to hosting our relaunch event, there is never a dull moment at Gravesham Sanctuary. We are excited to share what's been happening over the past six months and how you can help us make a greater impact!
What does it mean to be homeless?
Caricatures are often painted of homelessness. We aim not only to break stereotypes but also to offer genuine hope to those in need. This was our vision when we put together our new promotional video.
Featuring testimonies from volunteers and service users, our promo shows our newly located day centre in action. You will also hear from Sue, who shares her story and how the support she received at our HMO brought her comfort and security. In fact, since publishing our video, we are pleased to say that Sue has moved into her own tenancy.
Along with Sue, we've had two residents move on from our project and into long-term accommodation.
Gravesham Sanctuary Relaunch
Towards the end of May, we hosted our relaunch event at Emmanuel Baptist Church, our new day centre base. The event brought together local church ministers, long-term partners, and service users for a celebration of past achievements and a look ahead to our future goals.
Those who attended were greatly encouraged when our guests showed people around the project. We remain humble and grateful to everyone who helped put this event together, especially our amazing team of volunteers.
Laptops for Guests, thanks to the Digital Poverty Alliance
Life has become increasingly dependent on technology. This is also the case for those facing homelessness. One of the biggest challenges is that people have limited access to essential services that are only available online. People may also lack the necessary computer skills to navigate online spaces and effectively obtain the help they need. That's why we are thankful to our friends at the Digital Poverty Alliance, who kindly donated six laptops for our guests.
One of our residents described having their laptop as a "game-changer" because they can access emails and web resources with ease. The provision of these devices has not only helped our guests acquire skills necessary for modern life but also provided a way to relax and unwind. Donations like these serve as a pivotal reminder to never take what we have for granted.
With a little help from our friends
We are deeply thankful to Stuart and Joy from the Gravesham with Ebbsfleet Rotary for their work in renovating our garden area at our HMO. Equipped with paintbrushes, they did an excellent job adding a splash of colour just in time for the Summer.
The Rotary Club has also generously offered to cover the cost of furniture purchases for the HMO, which will solidify our mission to be more than just a house, but a home for our Guests while they stay with us.
Gravesham Sanctuary at John Lewis, Bluewater
Back in April, we were invited to have a display at the John Lewis store in Bluewater. Our display featured artwork and paintings from our Guests at our Day Centre.
Opportunities like this are important as we aim to utilise a wider reach with the general public about what we do, but also to show the amazing talent and creativity of our Guests. Support from nationwide businesses, such as John Lewis, goes a long way.
Working together for others
In addition to partnering with national chains, we also work with local organisations. Most recently, we have struck a close relationship with Gravesham Friendly. Here's what they have had to say about us: "At Gravesham Friendly, helping out vital groups like Gravesham Sanctuary is a huge part of what we do and why we do it! We're not just about income protection; we're passionate about supporting the well-being of our Gravesham neighbours. Being there for those most in need is absolutely crucial for a stronger, friendlier community. It was incredibly moving to hear their stories and to know how much the support from local funders and organisations like Gravesham Friendly means to them. Stand with Gravesham Sanctuary in their invaluable mission! We urge you to explore their powerful story and see how they're bringing hope to the homeless."
Introducing our Make It Work Appeal
For people who have been sleeping rough, moving into our emergency accommodation is a decisive step towards overcoming homelessness. We believe the next step for guests who reside in our HMO is to support them in gaining employment. This is why we want to invite you to be part of this journey by giving to our Rent Support Scheme, which we are calling Make It Work.
Your giving will help individuals rebuild their lives, realise their potential and flourish. It will provide rental bursaries for those who are newly employed as they prepare to move on to their own accommodation. It will ensure their supported housing remains affordable as their benefits reduce or stop.
Giving can be through one-off donations or regular contributions. We warmly welcome companies interested in participating in our Rent Support Scheme as a way to fulfil their Corporate Social Responsibility.
If you want to support our Make It Work Initiative, you can give straight into our charity account: Gravesham Sanctuary CIO | Account No.: 21835762 | Sort Code: 30-99-50 Make sure you add the reference "Work" to your gift so we know it is for our Rent Support Scheme. If you would like further details about our initiative, get in touch with us: office@graveshamsanctuary.uk.
List of Supporters
We want to acknowledge our incredible supporters! Whether it be through funding grants, donations, or the provision of volunteers, we are truly grateful for your continuing support towards our work!
- Gravesham Borough Council | Continued Partnership
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | Continued Partnership
- Colyer Fergusson Trust Foundation | Funding Grant
- Gravesend and Ebbsfleet Rotary | Funding Grant
- Garfield Weston Foundation | Funding Grant
- The Albert Hunt Trust | Funding Grant
- Postcard Society Trust | Funding Grant
- Northfleet and Ebbsfleet Lions Club | Generous Donation
- Rai Dairies | Weekly donation of Milk, Cheese and Bread for Day Centre
- Emmanuel Baptist Church | Use of facilities for Day Centre Operations
- St John's Catholic Comprehensive School | Fundraising
- Eastgate | Generous Donation & Volunteers
- City Praise Centre | Generous Donation & Volunteers
- Effective Life Church | Volunteers
- St George's Church | Volunteers
How You Can Help
- We are in need of the following items for our day centre: Men's Clothing, Sleeping Bags, Tinned Goods, and Toiletries. Items can be dropped off while the day centre is open (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM).
- Concerned about someone sleeping rough? Wherever they are, you can refer them to the Streetlink app or website, and an outreach worker will go out to find them and offer support.
- Thinking of volunteering? We particularly need people at our lively day centre shifts at Emmanuel Baptist Church (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays) and overnight at our town centre accommodation. The application form can be found at Volunteering • Gravesham Sanctuary.
- Thinking of giving? Please see our bank details below for standing orders or bank transfers. Please do gift aid if you are a UK taxpayer. Other ways of giving can be found on our website:
- Gravesham Sanctuary CIO | Account No.: 21835762 | Sort Code: 30-99-50
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