Support from Charitable Trusts and Foundations

The Connection at St. Martin’s places great value on the support that we receive from charitable trusts and foundations.

We are keen to develop further relationships with trusts and foundations that wish to help.

How trusts and foundations have made a difference
A grant from StreetSmart contributed to the costs of employing one of our Street Outreach Workers who along with the rest of our Outreach team undertakes vital engagement work with rough sleepers in the West End.

Alongside the streetwork, Neil provides ongoing support to assess and address other needs including housing, mental health, and drug or alcohol problems.

With funding from StreetSmart, Neil was able to help over 100 people sleeping rough in the West End, giving them the support they needed to move off the streets.

A grant from The Henry Smith Charity has funded the development of a comprehensive user-involvement strategy, aimed at consulting with and involving homeless people at all levels within our organisation.

Discussion and being part of a decision-making group empowers clients, and gives them the skills and confidence to deal with situations, and resolve issues instead of walking away. They are then able to carry these experiences over to other areas of their lives.

This has been embraced by both staff and clients, and The Henry Smith Charity has agreed to commit further funding in 2009-10, to enable us to build on these successes.

One key focus will be the development of inclusive employment procedures that increase the involvement of clients in staff recruitment, and open up more opportunities for homeless people to apply for job vacancies and work placements at The Connection.

If you have links to a charitable trust and would like further information on our work, or would like to arrange a visit to our centre, please contact the fundraising team on trusts@cstm.org.uk or 020 7766 5555.