Centre Life 2022 - Cardinal Hume Centre magazine

Welcome

takes place at the Cardinal Hume Centre starts with one simple belief. As Cardinal Hume said: ‘Each person matters. No human life is ever redundant.’ At the root of this belief

is the certainty that the dignity of every individual is innate and not earned. Living with dignity also means living a life free from poverty, it means having a safe and secure home.

The pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis means there is a significant risk that homelessness and child poverty will increase further. We can and must do better and the Centre is here to play its part.

Last year, 1,208 people, including nearly 587 families and 233 children and young people, were helped here. That is only possible thanks to donors, volunteers, ambassadors and colleagues.

To improve our impact in what are hard times for many, we’re increasing our services which you can read more about on page three and nine. I remain confident we will continue to celebrate the successes of people like James and Mohsen who can find stability and thrive despite so many obstacles because you make this work possible.

With huge thanks,

Front cover: Mohsen studying English at the Centre.

Opposite page: Staff in the hostel speak to a young person.

Photos: Fergus Burnett Photography

George O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer georgeoneill@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk

CONTENTS

ON CARDINAL HUME’S LEGACY

Listening to what young people and families have to say

InMarch this year, we contacted 1,360 clients who had accessed our support over the past three years and allowed us to contact them again. They were invited by text, email and in meetings to share their feedback.

We had a great response, with 25% people taking the questionnaire which was available in multiple languages. The results were both positive and provided useful feedback on where we can improve.

Improvements suggested included: raising awareness of all services on offer; continuing more in-person or online support; exercise classes; more after-school clubs; and more support for young people’s mental health.

HIGHLIGHTS

97% said they would tell other people looking for help about the Centre.

More than 94% agreed that our staff listen to them, give them a warm welcome and take enough time to fully understand their needs.

More than 80% felt that their overall wellbeing has improved thanks to visiting the Centre. They reported feeling clearer about the options they have for their future.

We are recruiting a panel of ten clients who volunteered when answering the questionnaire who will meet monthly to act as a forum to consult as the Centre’s work evolves to meet changing needs and modern challenges.

By Louise, director of services

Listening to our clients is crucial to making the right difference for them and finding out what we can improve.

“

…They have been a lifeline for me at a time when I was most vulnerable… Their services are absolutely essential.

Last year, 51 families and 105 children benefitted from social, cultural and educational opportunities here. 587 families were helped across all the Centre’s services last year.

Growing fast

By Gaia, family services manager

Thanks to our generous funders and our amazing volunteers, we have been able to increase our family services offer for children of all ages and their parents.

OPENING OUR KITCHEN TO REFUGEES

Some of the families we work with are refugees who have been housed in local hotels. One of the many things they miss is being able to prepare and cook their own food. Families seeking asylum are given access to the Centre’s kitchen where they are able to cook and eat together as a family. Referrals are increasing so we have scheduled an extra day for this activity to meet the growing need.

We also set up and ran a weekly play and learning experience for families with young children living in the London Metropole Hotel. Home Office funding enabled us to provide appropriate play equipment, books and toys to take to the hotel which helped us deliver enjoyable, stimulating and much welcomed sessions.

NEW STUDY CLUB

The new Wednesday study club for older children and young people fulfils a very important function for the families we work with providing space, support and encouragement. Children tell us that they really appreciate the quiet atmosphere, the facilities provided and the help they are given with their work by volunteers.

GARDENING GOODNESS

With private outdoor space so scarce for families in inadequate or temporary accommodation, exploring the natural world in the safety of the Centre’s garden helps to grow children’s familiarity and confidence in the outdoors. Whole families have started to take responsibility for the crops and look after them.

Everyone gets involved in the fun and learning opportunities that the garden offers. The children in gardening club have been busy with a variety of activities including; measuring themselves against their sunflowers; making elderflower cordial; baking bread from the wheat that they grew and harvested; and picking the tomatoes for our summer programme lunches. Our wonderful gardening volunteer says she regularly learns something new from the families who come to work in the garden.

NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN

Some parents said they were in need of support with learning practical English they could use in their everyday life, and we started English conversation sessions for them. Read more from Klair (page seven).

Opposite page, clockwise from left: Study Club. Photo: Fergus Burnett Photography.

Cooking at the Centre. Photo: Cardinal Hume Centre.

A music workshop for the Easter holiday club. Photo: Lewis Neck.

Playing in the Family Centre. Photo: Lewis Neck.

A trip to Legoland for families. Photo: Cardinal Hume Centre.

Mohsen’s story

By Jenny, English as a second language teacher

Earlier this year as part of our Lent appeal Mohsen shared his harrowing story of how he arrived at the Cardinal Hume Centre. Now I wanted to share the good news about how Mohsen is doing now.

After,as a 15 year old, fleeing a militia attack on his village in Sudan, what followed was two years of imprisonment and abuse before he finally arrived in London, alone, in February 2020.

Undoubtedly, you felt as much for all he lost as I do.

Last year Mohsen worked hard on reading, grammar and computer basics to get him ready for college. This year we helped him prepare for his exams and this term he passed his Level One Functional Skills English and Maths.

Mohsen also told you how he wants to be a mechanical engineer – and guess what! He’s passed his Mechanical Engineering Level One, as well as his driving theory test – all in English of course.

It can be difficult to find work experience in this field, but this spring Sarah, an Employment Advisor at the Centre, put him in touch with the First Steps Trust (a charity providing for people excluded from working life) which offered Mohsen work experience in a garage as well as training in motor vehicle mechanics. He was extremely excited about this opportunity, and after meeting them he told me: ‘It was really cool! The team was really helpful, I do love it and am very excited to start with them in the school holidays.’

Thanks to you, Mohsen, and others like him, from whom poverty and war have stolen so much have the chance to turn their lives around.

UPDATEAPPEAL

29 Unaccompanied Asylum

Top: Mohsen studying English at the Centre.

Bottom: Mohsen and Jenny.

Photos: Fergus Burnett Photography

Seeking Children received intensive language support last year.

Klair’s story

Klair has volunteered at the Centre for the past five years teaching English. She currently teaches an informal English language class, for mums whose children can play in the safety of the centre at the same time.

By Klair, volunteer

“

My name is Klair and I was working as a chef and was interested in becoming a teacher. And now my volunteering at the Cardinal Hume Centre has led to me teaching at Medway Council as a job.

“I volunteer because both my parents were very giving people and giving has stuck with me. Sometimes there’s no reason, it’s just a case of, as my mum would say, ‘stepping out in faith’.

“Volunteering has been good for me. I wanted a job teaching for a while, but until recently I worked as a cook. Volunteering kept my English teaching skills up-to-date, and helped me meet many different learners so I learnt flexibility to accommodate whatever is needed.

“I really admire the people that I teach here. They come from all walks of life – I’ve had a number of learners who are homeless. For people to come in and to want to further themselves even though they haven’t got a stable place, for me that is really admirable.

“My experience as a volunteer at the Cardinal Hume Centre has boosted my confidence. If the Centre think you’re capable of a particular role they will ask you. For example, the Centre asked me to speak at the AGM in front of everyone. And they asked if I could sit in on an interview for a particularly senior

Above: Klair giving an English lesson.

Photo: Fergus Burnett Photography

role at the Centre. I thought that was really astonishing. Before I would never dream that an organisation would invite a volunteer to sit on a panel and have his or her views heard. It made me think I was being considered beyond the volunteering. It’s made me feel valuable.

“Volunteering is about all the things that come with it. It opens up your eyes to a different world both amongst the staff and the clients you’re volunteering with.

“When you see that you help somebody it’s a reward that you can’t really put into words. It’s a satisfying feeling. More than anything I will go home and think I’ve done a good deed for the day, then I’m happy.”

Join our amazing volunteer team helping families overcome poverty and the threat of homelessness. Visit cardinalhumecentre.org. uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/ volunteer to see the latest opportunities.

James’s story

In February 2021 James* was living at the Centre. He helped us with our Lent appeal by writing about the difficult time that had led to him living in the hostel.

By James

“

Before I came here I had been abused, so I was always on edge and didn’t trust people. I didn’t really look after myself because I didn’t care about my life. I just thought, ‘It’s already bad so it can only get worse.’

“For a while I was thinking ‘Why am I in a hostel?’ and I was really isolating myself.

“Now two years later, I’ve moved into Basil Hume House. It’s next to the hostel, but I have a studio flat with a bedroom, my own kitchen and living room, and my own toilet and shower. The only thing I share is the washing machine and dryer with four other people. I prefer the flat, it’s more independent, and I’ve always tried to be independent.

“My keyworker is Malcolm. It’s a good relationship now. We talk about things that aren’t just about living in the hostel. He also holds me accountable for looking after my room, and it makes me feel good that someone acknowledges I’m doing better. I’ve been able to let go of

Last year, 25 young people moved on successfully from the hostel. 213 clients used our food bank or received supermarket vouchers.

UPDATEAPPEAL

being wary of people. Now I’m alot more relaxed. I cut my hair, I do my laundry regularly and I’m bettering myself as a person.

“My advice for my 19 year old self would be: ‘Talk more.’ You have to see these people you live with in a hostel everyday. So share with them and be nice to them, try to build relationships. Don’t be shy to talk to people if you need help. Accept that you might not be moving out straight away. When you come here, it’s like self-discovery, learning how to do things for yourself.

*Name changed to protect his identity.

Below: Staff making a bed for a new resident in our hostel. Photo: Fergus Burnett Photography.

Building on Cardinal Hume’s legacy

By Glynn, hostel manager

Inlast year’s Centre Life magazine we announced that two new studio flats would be built in late 2021 to help tackle the increase in young people sleeping rough. According the 2020 London Assembly report there was a 47% increase in rough sleeping amongst 16-24 years olds*. The Centre fundraised for, renovated and opened two new emergency studio flats to help tackle youth homelessness.

One of the new emergency flats to get young people off the streets. Photo: Cardinal Hume Centre

The new emergency provision means that young people can move in to a studio flat on the same day that Westminster Council finds them at risk of sleeping rough. On the other hand non-emergency referrals – where a young person is living in care or with other relatives – will take a couple of weeks.

The studio flats are intended for short-term stays only; they are designed to get young people off the streets and fast-tracked into the Centre’s hostel or another supported living accommodation, so that the studio flats can be available for the next emergency. For the young people who come to us for help this may be their first experience of supported accommodation. The privacy of having their own space can be particularly valuable to young people with mental health issues. Each studios has its own kitchenette

UPDATEAPPEAL

and bathroom. Staff are on hand to provide 24hour care and specialist support. Monitoring of each young person’s support needs will ensure that suitable long-term accommodation is found for them.

With a gift in your Will, you’ll continue the legacy of helping people escaping poverty to transform their lives. Write to us with your freepost envelope, email legacies@ cardinalhumecentre.org.uk or visit our website for more information.

Fantastic fundraisers

Yash has been a fantastic fundraiser for the Centre for two years with creative ideas to help people escaping homelessness.

By Yash

“

My brother and I love baking and cooking. We did online cooking classes for our friends to raise money for the Centre. They liked our recipes so we wrote a cookbook and sell it for donations to the Centre.

“I wanted the children at the Centre to have Christmas presents and Easter eggs like I do. At Christmas I spent my Christmas money on presents for them and at Easter I donated my chocolate for children that don’t have any. I planned an Easter egg hunt because I wanted the children at the Centre to think the Easter bunny had visited them!

“I also asked my school to spread the word in their newsletter and at assembly for everyone to bring in supplies to the Centre’s food bank.

“I chose the Cardinal Hume Centre because it is near me and they are doing an amazing job to change people’s lives from being homeless to having a lovely home to stay in. I think everyone should be treated equally whatever their background. My advice to people thinking about fundraising is go for it! You feel amazing

and one small donation could change

someone’s life forever. Just like Tesco says ‘every little helps!’”

THE BIG 4000

Visit big4000.org.uk

find out more and get involved.

Many refugees like Mohsen (page six) will travel over 4000 miles to reach safety. So we’ve launched The Big 4000. Individuals, workplaces and community groups are taking on challenges to add miles to our mile-ometer. So far we’ve had sponsored boat races, school sports days and pilgrimages added to our totaliser! Whatever the distance and whatever the challenge the funds you raise will ensure young people like Mohsen get the support they need to thrive.

Above: Yash, one of our fantastic fundraisers.

COLLECTING ESSENTIALS

CHRISTMAS &

Thank

What’s coming up

We’re delighted to share the ways you can see what’s going on here, connect with other supporters and influence the way we work.

LISTENING TO FAMILIES LIVING IN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION

In June, we completed a piece of research exploring the lived experience of families living in temporary accommodation, in partnership with Home-Start Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, the Westminster Foundation and an independent researcher.

Over 3,500 children were living in temporary accommodation provided by Westminster City Council in 2021. We wanted to better understand the impact this has on their lives.

ADVENT CONCERT

Our Cardinal Hume Centre Advent Concert will take place as usual later this year.

We will announce the venue and date online via our website and e-newsletters in the coming weeks. Alternatively, you can get in touch to reserve complimentary tickets in October. Telephone 020 7227 1650 or email events@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk

Sadly, our findings confirm a growing evidence base that demonstrates the harmful impact that living in temporary accommodation can have on children and families. It is far more than a housing problem; it impacts on health, education and child development. It adds financial pressures and it is a cause and consequence of inequality.

We will continue collaborating with other community organisations to raise awareness of the issue and better protect these families.

ORDERING CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM THE CENTRE

In a few weeks you may be thinking of ordering charity Christmas cards. If you’d like to order from the Cardinal Hume Centre, get in touch phone or write to us to request an order form. You can call us or write to request an order form. Phone us on 020 7227 1650 or use your freepost envelope to write to us. Packs of ten, £5 each

YOU’RE INVITED

We want to extend a warm Cardinal Hume Centre welcome to all our community. It has been a pleasure to see small numbers have been able to attend talks and tea in the garden in 2022. So any time you plan to be in central London, please contact us if you would like to arrange a visit.

MATCHED GIVING CAMPAIGN

In the first week of December we are launching an online matched giving campaign. We are aiming to raise £100,000 for our work with vulnerable families and children (see page four). If you are planning a christmas donation and like to make it online, your gift could be doubled to have twice the impact.

To sign up to our mailing list to be reminded when the campaign starts on 29th November, email supporters@cardinalhumecentre. org.uk

CARDINAL HUME’S CENTENARY

Next year marks the centenary of Cardinal George Basil Hume’s birth. We will be honouring our founder’s legacy in making sure the work of the Centre helps even more people especially as the cost of living rises, pushing more people into poverty.

You will hear more in the coming months about how you can be part of the celebrations and be part of his legacy.

Photo: Lewis Neck

How you gave your support in 2021/22

As a charity, over 72% of our income comes from our supporters. Our work is only made possible because of the incredible generosity of donors. Statutory funding from Westminster City Council (WCC) also enables us to provide essential services to our clients.

How your gifts have impact

Our expenditure in 2021/22 was £3.2m, of which 84% was spent on delivering services. The chart below shows where this was spent across our core activities.

Advice and assessment

Housing and Residential Services

Learning, Employment and Family Services

Raising Funds

How you gave

Legacies £5 37,000 Donations £1,933,000 Charity Shop £6,000

TOTAL VOLUNTARY INCOME £ 2,476,000

Other Centre income

Statutory Income

Earned Income £ 388,000

TOTAL INCOME £ 3,432,000

Expenditure

Thank you!

Thanks to you 1,208 people, among them 587 families including 233 children were helped helped to reduce their risk of homelessness last year.