Mike’s Story – Volunteering with Faithworks CMA
Mike first heard about Faithworks CMA at a Rotary Club meeting. Through many years’ involvement with SSAFA (the armed forces charity), he had met many soldiers and their families in severe debt but had felt unable to do anything about it. Mike explained: “I thought volunteering for Faithworks CMA would be the ideal opportunity to find out about the
Ashleigh’s Story
“I’m now finding out who I am. But I’m also realising the mistakes I made in the past.” Ashleigh* joined the SMILE lone parent community 5 years ago. She was going through many challenges including domestic violence, court hearings over her children, and suicidal thoughts. She was having to face these challenges alone. Domestic abuse had always been a
Blandford & Wimborne Food Bank+ 10th Anniversaries
Blandford Food Bank+ and Wimborne Food Bank+ both reached their 10th anniversaries within the last month. Special events were held at the Food Banks where dignitaries including the High Sheriff of Dorset and the Mayors as well as local organisations and agencies attended. Wimborne Food Bank+ (l-r): Chair of Steering Committee Ian Stevenson, The High Sheriff of Dorset
Investor Breakfast – Thursday 13 October 2022
We believe everyone has the right to a home - we are looking for investors to help make this happen One of the fundamental needs of every human is not just shelter, but a home – a place of safety; a place of friendship. Locally there is a real shortage of homes for those who have experienced homelessness. We
Help Us Restock the Storehouse
Imagine living in a B&B; it’s better than sleeping on the streets, and it is a little less isolated. However, it is not the same as having your own home. When more secure accommodation is found, it can still be a very bare space and feel very impersonal, this can impact on self-worth and motivation to keep moving forward.
Celebrating BCARS 2015-2020… Now it’s Time for Faithworks Arch and the We’re Here Network
BCARS (Bournemouth Christians Alongside Rough Sleepers) brought together 25 Churches, over 350 volunteers and served over 500 people as they sought to escape homelessness from 2015 to 2020. Through Sleepsafe alone in those 5 years, over 180 people moved from living on the street to more secure accommodation. We are so grateful to everyone who was a part of
Alistair’s Tigger Sized Challenge!
Every autumn our energetic CEO, Alistair, runs both the Great North Run and the Bournemouth Half-Marathon in fancy dress to raise money for our projects. When staff were asked what he should wear this year, the unanimous agreement was that he should dress up as Tigger! This reflects both the orange in our new brand colours as well as Alistair's
SMILE Eat the Fruit of their Labour
SMILE were recently joined on their day out by volunteers from JP Morgan. The lone parent families project returned to our friends at Project Manna for woodland and river fun. The day included feeding the sheep, kayaking on the river, toasting marshmallows over a firepit and decorating flower pots. It also provided an opportunity to see how the fruit
Wimborne Food Bank+ Free Family Fun Day
Food Bank+ is about so much more than just food. Wimborne Food Bank+ demonstrated this by holding a free family fun day over the bank holiday weekend. Held at a time when many summer events and festivals are happening however many are costly particularly when taking the whole family. The event provided local families the opportunity to enjoy a
Recovery Day Moves Location
BH1 Elim Church Host the Recovery Day. Thanks to BH1 Elim Church in Boscombe we now have a new venue for the Recovery Day. Also known as "The Toastie Club" due to the infamous cheese toasties, the Recovery Day provides a safe space for those seeking fellowship on their recovery journey. The Recovery Days provide an opportunity to make
