Newsletter – Spring 2020Charity Link – finding funding for people in need since 1876

Get involved

with us

CHANGE LOCAL LIVES

OUR NEW PATRONMeet him on page 8

MEETING

THE NEED

Support our

campaign

today!

Get Social and spread the word!We’re active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Please do ‘Get Social’ as liking and commenting also helps to ensure you see future posts. Shares also help us to reach new audiences in a cost-effective way, you can tag us in your own posts.

Over the last 6 months...With your support, we were able to provide the following essential items:

Food & Utilities

140Cookers

500Beds

336Clothing

129Fridge Freezers

231Washing Machines

277

Jess’ storyJess was referred

to us after being in an abusive

relationship.

When Jess ended the relationship, her ex-partner

broke into her home and

smashed doors, walls, appliances and

other items, leaving only the children’s bedroom untouched.

Jess’s ex-partner was given a suspended

sentence and a restraining order was issued but Jess remained terrified and was signed off work with depression and anxiety.

To help Jess and her children get back to some sense of normality and to help put this devastating time behind them, the family urgently needed a replacement washing machine, fridge-freezer and dinning table.

Thanks to your support we were able to untapped £500 of charitable funding to buy these essential items for the family. Due to Jess’s career history, we also gained an industry grant to support the family with school uniforms and funds towards summer activities for the children.

@charitylink /charitylink @charity_link_official

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Charity Link – finding funding for people in need since 1876

2Jess’ story3Latest News4PBS Club News5Get Involved6Sleepover 20207Fundraising news8Our new patron9Ranjit’s storyFun-filled fundraising10Service news11The Goods Depot

Charity Link20a Millstone Lane Leicester, LE1 5JN0116 222 2200 info@charity-link.org

@charitylink /charitylink

@charity_link_official

Director’s messageThanks for taking the time to read this edition of Thrive.

This message is quite different to the one I wrote initially, before the Covid-19 pandemic. We are living in unprecedented times. The coming months are going to remain extremely challenging.

As a public-facing service organisation supporting the most vulnerable people in the community we continue to do what we do best – getting essential support to those most in need. We are still very much open and still here working to meet the increased need for our services.

In the first 6 weeks following the lock down, 51% of requests for help were from those directly impacted by Covid-19 and we helped 561 people, 238 of which were children. Shona was furloughed due to the crisis and has been struggling to provide for her children. Lloyd has many health issues and after having his hours cut couldn’t afford a replacement washing machine when his broke. We’ve already been able to help Shona, Lloyd and many others; this is only possible with the help of our supporters and the businesses and organisations who are making a difference.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Meeting the Need campaign and the There With You Fund, if you are able to lend your support we’d be so grateful.

You can also read about our Barn Dance and Leicestershire 3 Peaks Challenge in September. Our fundraising efforts must continue and we do hope that these events we go ahead as planned. Put them in your diary and let us hope for the best.

Keep safe and well,

Sue McEniff Director of Marketing & Fundraising

The Thrive newsletter is designed by Sébastien de La Hamayde from Designeering.

With over 25 years experience, Designeering give clients a competitive edge through innovative design to increase their sales.

www.designeering.com

Cover – The Charity Link Sleepover 2020 team (Matt Glover Photography)

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Thrive Newsletter – Spring 2020

www.charity-link.org

MATT GLOVER PHOTOGRAPHYMatt is a talented wedding and family/business portrait photographer who has kindly captured special moments at many of our events. He is also great fun to work with!

“I lend my support to Charity Link as I like the people, their approach to fund raising and I respect their work in Leicester; it is very much needed.”

READINGS PROPERTY GROUPThe team at Readings, based on Granby Street in Leicester, have supported us for some time. They have held a fundraising auction, supported our Leicestershire 3 Peaks and been part of Wear a Funky Scarf Day.

“We at Readings are passionate about helping people throughout Leicestershire, and by supporting Charity Link we’re doing just that! We are playing a part in ensuring that those most in need have the essentials that help make a house a home, it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that.”

PBS Club NewsThanks to everyone who supported the launch of our Proud Business Supporter Club in October – including Mattioli Woods PLC for the venue, Bawdon Lodge Farm who provided drinks, George Oliver, our Trustee and Editor of the Leicester Mercury for his enlightening speech and Rosanna Monachello and The Great Adamos for entertaining guests.

The PBS Club aims to build a community of like-minded businesses (of all sizes) which come together to do something amazing to change the lives of local people in hardship - whilst also offering a number of business benefits. Get in touch if you know a local business which may be interested in joining the Club. Our next PBS events will be listed on our website in due course.

PBS EVENTS

Look out for Club events

in 2020!

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Charity Link – finding funding for people in need since 1876

www.charity-link.org/pbs

Leicestershire 3 PeaksJoin us on Sunday 27th September for the fifth birthday of our unique 16 mile walking or running challenge around the beautiful Charnwood countryside.

Taking in the peaks of Beacon Hill, Bardon Hill (Leicestershire’s highest point) and Old John in Bradgate Park, join this friendly, fun event on your own, with friends and family, or with colleagues as part of our Corporate Team Cup Competition.

Registration is from £10.

Fundraising barn danceAfter the fabulous time we’ve had and the amazing support we’ve received for previous barn dances, we are excited to be hosting a barn dance at our friends and ‘Proud Business Supporters’ Bawdon Lodge Farm on the evening of Saturday 12th September to help raise funds. Come along for a real barn dance in a real barn – an evening filled with live music and dancing!

Tickets are £15pp but we’ve a limited number of special early bird tickets – £12.50 for a single ticket and 4 tickets for £50 with four drinks or a bottle of prosecco for free!

Available whilst stocks last at www.charity-link.org/shop

Meeting the NeedThank you to everyone who has donated to our ‘Meeting the Need’ campaign to help us support people affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

Whether people have lost jobs, have been furloughed and are struggling or can’t work due to isolating for health reasons, we can make a difference. To show your support, please go to: www.justgiving.com/campaign/charitylink

DONATE

NOW

Change

lives

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Thrive Newsletter – Spring 2020

www.charity-link.org/get-involved/events

Sleepover 2020A huge thank you and congratulations to all the amazing supporters who took part in the Charity Link Sleepover on Friday 24th January.

It was an amazing coincidence that as everyone was introducing themselves, a client walked by and shared her experience of how Charity Link had helped her and her family – this meant a lot to those taking part and made the experience even more special. Over £4,000 has been raised which means over £20,000 of vital items can be provided to those in need.

To join us for this unique experience next year, register your interest now.

CHARITY LINK

SLEEPOVER 22.01.21Join us next

year

Charity Link – finding funding for people in need since 1876

6 www.charity-link.org/sleepover

Netting fundsThanks to the University of Leicester Medics Netball Team who have been fundraising for Charity Link since October and have already organised Christmas supermarket bag-packing and cake sales to raise £500 and counting.

Festive theatre supportThanks to everyone who joined us at The Little Theatre in December to watch the special charity panto performance of ‘Robin Hood’ to help raise funds. Thanks to the theatre, and the support of PLC networking and Jordan Motors, we were also able to invite over 100 clients who may not have otherwise had access to a live Christmas panto experience.

Continuing their support, Curve theatre also gifted an entire performance of Giraffes Can’t Dance for us to offer to local families going through tough times. This was made possible thanks to the fundraising shows of Sir Ian McKellen earlier in the year. Children also received a gift from Santa on the day.

We are hugely grateful to both The Little Theatre and Curve for their support.

There With You FundA new fund, The There With You Fund, was launched on 14th April by The Leicester Mercury and LeicestershireLive.

This fantastic new fund, which we are administering, aims to raise £250,000 over the coming months to help people in Leicestershire who are affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

Grants, up to £300, will be given to those in need (distributed via goods and vouchers) to help relieve hardship. The fund was launched with a grant of £96,000 from The Randal Charitable Foundation. The fund will make a significant difference during the pandemic and we greatly appreciate all the support it has received.

Direct support remains vital: It is only through direct donations to Charity Link that we can fund our service, without which it would be impossible to utilise the There With You Funds and support the increased number of clients needing our help.

www.charity-link.org/get-involved

THERE

F U N DYOU

WITH

COVID-19

Support fund

launched

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Thrive Newsletter – Spring 2020

Thanks to the schools and businesses which supported Wear a Funky Scarf Day on 24th January.

Our annual dress up day will be moving to June in 2021 to help make even more of an impact – look out for details in a future Thrive.

Our new patronWe are delighted that Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Michael Kapur OBE, has become our new patron.

A leading local businessman, Mr Kapur was delighted to accept our invitation to become patron in February after learning of Charity Link’s work in the community. The role will see Mr Kapur attending charity events and providing his support to further highlight the charity’s work and campaigning and fundraising activities.

Mr Kapur says on becoming Patron: “As Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, I was honoured to be asked to become patron of such a long-standing and vital local charity as Charity Link.”

Existing charity patrons include The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leicester and The Chairman of Leicestershire County Council.

For more details, visit our website.

Thanks for getting funky !

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Charity Link – finding funding for people in need since 1876

www.charity-link.org/news-events

Fun-filled fundraisingMore than 80 guests joined us for our award-winning ‘A Bellyful of Laughs’ Comedy night on Thursday 13th February in the stunning King’s Hall at The Mercure Grand Hotel in Leicester.

Part of the Leicester Comedy Festival, we are lucky enough to have the support of Anthony King each year who, as well as performing himself, also invites a variety of comedian friends to entertain the crowd.

Thanks to Josh Pugh, Professor John, Edi Johnstone, Rob Coleman, Benny Shakes and Michael Dryburgh for taking part. Guests tucked into a delicious two-course meal before enjoying the range of comedy acts with guitars, singing and even a ukulele the order of the day!

Huge thanks to everyone who supported the event which raised over £1,000.

A Bellyful of Laughs will be ten in 2021 – we do hope you will be able to celebrate the special birthday with us next February!

(Thanks to photographer Matt Glover for capturing the evening – more photos can be found on our social media pages).

Ranjit’s storyRanjit, 64, was referred by a housing-related support worker seeking assistance towards a fridge freezer.

He is registered blind and also has a number of other health conditions. He generally accesses his local temple for food but this is no longer possible due to Covid-19 as the temple has had to close.

This has left him needing a means to store food, but he cannot afford to purchase a fridge freezer from his Employment & Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment.

Given the urgency of his situation, the ‘There With You Fund’ was accessed to provide a fridge freezer and a microwave.

Ranjit will now find it easier to eat healthily and keep himself safe and well.

To read more client stories, please visit the ‘Lives Changed’ area of our website.

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Thrive Newsletter – Spring 2020

www.charity-link.org/get-in-touch

Working to help even more peopleOur team of Caseworkers – who act on a client’s behalf to obtain the essential items they need – have been busy over recent weeks visiting relevant teams from charities and organisations in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.

This awareness raising work is vital as, although we have been working in Leicester for a huge number of years, the support landscape and the roles and responsibilities of those working with vulnerable people are ever-changing.

An important task is to ensure that those who may benefit from referring clients to us for help know that they are able to do so and how accessible the process is.

If you work with vulnerable people and would like to speak to the team about the type of assistance we can offer clients or the application process, please contact the team on 0116 222 2200 or email us at casework@charity-link.org

Our Trust Administration team provides clerking services, administration, governance and financial support to local charities.

Growing demand for the service means that we have now welcomed Sophie Power to the team as Trust Administration Assistant. Sophie joins our two Trust Administrators, Katie Scranage and Sue Stevenson, and will provide invaluable support for this successful service.

If you’re part of or know of a charity that’s struggling with admin, do get in touch!

Our Trust Administration service is tailored to each charity’s specific needs, but can include:

• Arranging and clerking Trustee meetings

• Providing governance and policy advice and support

• Financial administration, bookkeeping and preparation of your annual accounts

• Liaison with the Charity Commission

• A complete grants administration service

• General administration and correspondence

We can also provide one-off consultancy support to charities with short-term needs.

For further details please email trustadmin@charity-link.org or call us on 0116 222 2200.

Trust Administration news

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Charity Link – finding funding for people in need since 1876

www.charity-link.org/work-with-vulnerable-people

The Goods DepotOur exciting new social enterprise, The Goods Depot, is continuing to grow. Based at our warehouse in Glenfield, The Goods Depot provides white goods to our clients.

These are high spec reuse items so, as well as offering fantastic quality, we are also reducing our impact on the environment. Keep a look out for our delivery van out and about! We also sell washing machines, fridges and freezers to the wider community; landlords, alms houses, housing associations as well as individuals.

This income helps to provide a sustainable funding stream for Charity Link – so as well as getting a quality product and great service, purchasing though The Goods Depot also supports local people in need.

Our new e-commerce website will be going live soon. For details, please check out www.thegoodsdepot.org.uk

Do you have some time to spare?

To aid the development of The Goods Depot, we are looking for volunteers to help with warehouse office and administration tasks.

If you may be able to offer some time and feel you have some skills to offer, please contact Alex Grealis by emailing info@thegoodsdepot.org.uk or call 0116 287 4971.

DO YOU

HAVE

SOME TIME

TO SPARE?

Volunteers

wanted!

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Thrive Newsletter – Spring 2020

www.thegoodsdepot.org.uk

The things you take for granted, someone else desperately needs...

Leicester Charity Organisation Society is a registered charity no. 1078271 and a company limited by guarantee no. 03761954 Charity Link – finding funding for people in need since 1876

DONATE TODAY AS EVERYONE DESERVES THE BASICS IN LIFEFor every £10 donated, you will help access £50from charitable trusts that are available to helplocal people in need.

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