Newsletter January 2023

GLANCING BACK & LOOKING FORWARD…

by Angela Carter, Manager

2023, A New Year. Welcome to our first Newsletter for over two years. The issue of our last Newsletter in late 2019 coincided with the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic

When the escalating Coronavirus led to ‘lockdown’ in March 2020, as an essential service, we did not close and continued to take referrals and admit clients in need We swiftly put into place a raft of Covid measures built around government guidance and tackled staff shortages and client needs with a positive attitude We worked closely with the housing needs department at Mole Valley Council and received funding for extra costs from The Police & Crime Commissioners office and from Surrey County Council

In common with experience throughout the population there was an impact on client and staff mental health but both staff and clients were impressively resilient and made huge and successful efforts to keep the hostel Covid free

pg 2 | Real Life Stories

pg 3 | A Decade of Growing

pg. 4 | Staff Team Update

pg. 5 | Thank You to Our Supporters

pg. 6 | Who We Help, Where They Go & What Support They Need

and support each other

One of our external tenant support clients who, along with so many others, faced great challenges during the pandemic told Pete, our tenant support worker, that a renewed kindness and empathy amongst both friends and strangers helped him to get through it all

So, we weathered the pandemic storm and emerged in late 2020 with renewed hope and energy, not least in the form of a new garden office and counselling room built and completed between lockdowns

The purpose of the build is to release a room inside the hostel (previously an office) to use as a new client bedroom and, in addition, to provide increased counselling space

Both these projects – a new bedroom to increase our capacity and a pilot project to introduce new specialist support workers for our increasingly high needs clients – are the embryonic but exciting new ventures with which we move into 2023.

See above: Our new garden office and counselling space, built between lockdowns, 2020

A DREAM COME TRUE | TOM'S STORY

Prior to coming to us, Tom endured freezing nights sleeping in a car due to losing his home through a breakdown in his relationships With help from others, Tom eventually walked apprehensively through the door of Leatherhead Start where the pleasant surroundings, friendly staff, and even the obligatory bag check on arrival, gave him peace of mind and a sense of safety Having his own ensuite bedroom allowed Tom to feel a greater sense of independence and control

He quickly became involved with the hostel’ s allotment which was, in his words, ‘ a dream come true’ Due to his recent experiences, Tom knew just how quickly life events can occur to undermine presumed securities - how the good things we enjoy one minute can be gone the next and he was for this reason understandably anxious about what would happen when his time at the hostel came to an end and he had to take the next step He needn’t have worried; he was able, with our help, to find some

great accommodation, start a job that he enjoys, and begin the process of reconnecting and rebuilding relationships with old friends and family members

A LIFE REBUILT | NEDRAG'S STORY

To sit down and talk with Nedrag is to embark upon on a journey that can pass seamlessly between the worlds of Pulp Fiction, Mother Theresa, and Impressionist artist Camille Pissaro Words, ideas, and naming things properly are important to Nedrag and the more perceptive among us might note that ‘Nedrag’ is actually ‘garden’ spelled backwards This is a fitting self-designation, for it is in the great outdoors (or G O D as Nedrag calls it) that he appears to feel most alive and where he has learned that change often requires hard work and determination

Unsurprisingly, Nedrag has been a regular helper at our allotment during his stay here, and now, having moved into his own place, he is keen to continue to bring life and colour to his new community In the words of Camille Pissarro, ‘blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where others see nothing’

A DECADE OF GROWING!

This year marks our 10th complete season on the allotment For many

of our clients it has been a valuable resource, giving them space to breathe and learn a new skill in a peaceful environment We want to say a big thank you to our current allotment manager and support worker, Jamie, and to our past volunteer managers: Peter (pictured below centre) who formed and developed the plot into an award-winning allotment and Paul who continued the good work and grew some beautiful produce for our kitchen Jamie is building on their foundation with his own professional expertise and his vision to encourage the clients to come and try and thereby discover the joy of planting and growing And another big thank you goes to a local company called Standard Brands who sent some of their employees down for a couple sessions in June & July this year (see two of them pictured above centre) and who also have cooked for us and donated money towards employing our chef

STAFF TEAM UPDATE

Since the last newsletter we have six new fa the staff team Let me introduce you:

Clare began to volunteer with local charities supporting marginalised people during a break from her previous working world of marketing and recruitment This led to her hearing about a job opportunity at Leatherhead Start Since arriving in February 2020, just in time to help with the first lockdown, she has used her working experience in one-on-one coaching to support our clients and has brought a breadth of experience to the team

Tina joined us just before lockdown in November 2020 She is a local girl, having lived and worked in Leatherhead all her life A Saturday job at a hair salon at the tender age of fourteen sparked a career in hairdressing that only ended recently when, fancying a bit of a change, she successfully applied for a position here Her ability to relate well to staff, clients and professionals is evident to all and has been a great asset in her role here

experience he brings to his support work

Victoria says: After being a stay-at-home mum for 18 years, Leatherhead Start has given me the opportunity to join their fantastic team I have been so welcomed and have learnt so much It feels brilliant to grow in confidence in such a rewarding work environment

Neela is the most recent addition to our team, having joined us a few months ago as our new Client Services Coordinator, holding the reigns of the client support work and outcomes She has a background in the care sector and a wealth of experience to apply in her enthusiastic efforts to be effective in the lives of our clients

Tina, Jamie, Clare, Victoria and Neela (pictured from left to right above) each bring unique life experiences, skills, and personalities to their roles and together with our existing support workers, Gayle and Lisa, our tenant support worker, Pete and domestic assistant, Vassana, they make a great team and we are so grateful to have them

Our Chef, Mark (pictured left), joined our team in mid-2021 and prepares lovely, nutritious meals for our clients Mark has a wealth of experience in the kitchen, from cooking for students and faculty in a public school to private dinner parties and events He even made an appearance on BBC Masterchef in the show's first two seasons where he made it to the quarter finals! We feel very lucky to have him!

Members of the Light and Soul group at The Grange Centre in Bookham like to help others who have challenges and asked us if they could support our clients after being worried by the presence of rough sleeping in doorways on their trips to Guildford and other places

They fundraised for us with a Pyjama day which Myfanwy Tothill, our Chair, attended and followed up with 2 street collections in Leatherhead, one in the pouring rain! They raised over £1,000 (including gift aid) –a brilliant achievement – Thank you so much, everyone

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

It’ s not easy for our clients on low income to afford public transport to crucial appointments and meetings and to visit relatives and friends, essential to maintaining a support network and their wellbeing

Sometimes a bike is the answer and in those cases we call ‘Grundy’ (pictured above) He will produce a refurbished bike, fitted to order, for clients who are confident enough to take to the roads as a solution to their transport problems – a lifechanging gift – Thank you Grundy!

OUR CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

For the second year, The Jaspar Foundation and The Atlantic Research Group, have continued to fund the additional needs of our clients

The Jaspar Foundation provide funds, for those moving into their own accommodation, to purchase household goods via Argos vouchers They also help us to support clients who are parents but have no funds to facilitate a meeting with their children, especially in bad weather We are able to give small grants for a parent to take a child to the cinema or soft play or just meet in a café for lunch In addition, they contribute to our budget for the sustained, one-to-one professional counselling we offer, needed by so many of our clients

The Atlantic Research Group have provided a flexible bursary fund to respond to client needs of all kinds For example, a gas debt was cleared, a new coat and shoes were provided to get through the winter for a refugee care leaver on minimal income and a temporary gym membership proved a lifeline for a young man fighting depression

Both these funds will help us to improve the lives of the homeless people we support in 2023

YOU THOUGHT OF THE

TinBookhamwho andvegeveryyear (andprayforusthroughouttheyear),OurLady& StPeter,Leatherheadwhocollectedgiftsforus andStJohn’sTadworth,whoseSimpleLuncher’ s collectedforusatChristmasastheydo throughouttheyear,formanyyears

FellowcharitiessuchastheMeetingRoomwho providedourturkey

SchoolswhosupporteduslikeStJohnswho providedourNordmanFirtreeagainthisyear (aboveright)andStAndrew’sCatholicSchool whose6thformerswrotepersonalcardsforour clientstosendalongwiththeirgifts

FundraiserslikethosewhoorganisedtheHeadley Christmas‘singalong’andtheChristmasCarol PubCrawl,alsoGordonwhocreatedthe beautifulWestcottVillageCalendarandEmma whobroughtmincepiesandnewsofherplant saleforuslaterintheyear

Localpeopleandneighbours,bothnamedand anonymous,whosentchequesandbroughtus donationsofcash,presents,Christmasgoodies andclothing,

Warmestthankstoyouallforhelpingusto provideallthatwasneededtooffertheclients anenjoyableChristmas