2011 and 2012 saw our company offer financial support through charitable activities to children’s charity, Rainbow Trust.  Over both years, we raised just under £8,000 for the charity, as well as collecting Christmas presents for the terminally ill children and their siblings whom the charity support.

Whilst we will continue to support Rainbow Trust in smaller ways, next year will see ClearDebt support local centre, The Wellspring, which supports homeless, mentally and financially vulnerable individuals in the Stockport area.  We wanted to take an opportunity to explain to you why we have chosen to support The Wellspring centre in 2013 and how we hope to help them throughout the year.

What the Wellspring is about and who it helps

Located in Stockport, The Wellspring is a resource centre for homeless and disadvantaged people.  Fully dependent on donations from the general public, businesses, schools and other supporting organisations, donations of food, clothing, bedding, toiletries & financial donations are always needed.

The centre is open 365 days a year and actively engages with homeless people, providing advice and support, as well as referrals into housing or supported accommodation. The paid staff at The Wellspring have supported over 700 people into housing of some description, all of whom were sleeping rough on the streets at some time.

The Wellspring offers educational courses as well as providing a  full GP service, 2 fully operational PCT spec surgeries and a PCT nurse on site who can address any health problems.

Not everyone who attends The Wellspring would be homeless but 95% of the client group are people who would be at risk of becoming homeless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krku300wjv8

Project Outcomes

The Wellspring currently supports 150 people per year out of homelessness. They are now in the process of registering to become a Registered Social Landlord with a view to gaining their own portfolio of properties that they can directly place homeless people in and then provide the follow up support.

Whilst helping people out of homelessness, the centre also aim to prevent 100 people each year from becoming homeless offering them advice on financial budgeting and debt management.

Through the centre’s educational courses, they are able to give people the confidence and skills to deal with their own personal correspondence and in doing so provide 150 one to one support planning sessions per year with people who lead chaotic lifestyles and struggle to cope.

The one to one support sessions have led to hundreds of positive outcomes for the people who use our services. The courses they provide also equip people with Maths and English classes up to GCSE level with plans for computer, first aid and food hygiene courses in 2013.

Why is there a need for the project and how ClearDebt will help?

Over 100 people use the services at The Wellspring every day of the year.  As a company, ClearDebt will aim to provide regular volunteer rotas from our staff here who can assist in the kitchens, talking to visitors in the centre, helping with any tasks needed from the professional team there and where possible helping people with reading, basic maths skills and financial advice.

In 2012, we were able to raise £4,000 for Rainbow Trust, and will aim in 2013 to raise even more for this incredible centre.