22% increase in need for our services in 2023
This is your May update from Catching Lives. This month, we’ve published two reports: one on the need for our services in 2023 and another on the impact of our winter provision. 2023 figures show visits to Catching Lives increased by 22 per cent compared to 2022. That’s more than 11,000 visits, 291 new clients; a 33 per cent increase on the previous year, 502 clients helped and a whopping 12,238 meals. You can read what we’ve published here.
Meanwhile, we’ve been looking at how our extended winter opening hours helped clients. One client said: “At this juncture in my life I just couldn’t wish for more kindness, help, along with a full stomach. Thank you so much.” You can read all about it here.
Thank you so much to the 80 volunteers who helped at the Day Centre in 2023 and the 40 who helped raise vital funds in our bookshop. And thank you to all the volunteers who supported our extended hours from 1 January to 31 March this year.
General Election incoming
Photo credit: Homeless Link
A General Election has been called for 4 July. We support Homeless Link’s Manifesto to End Homelessness.
At Catching Lives, our vision is of a society where all are included and everyone, no matter how disadvantaged, can make a contribution. We’re working towards ending the harm caused to individuals and communities by homelessness, rough sleeping and insecure housing.
Ahead of the General Election, we are calling on the next government to prioritise that everyone has a safe, secure, suitable home in which to thrive. The next Government should adopt a cross government strategy to end homelessness. We need a homelessness system that works for all and sustained investment to prevent and end homelessness for good.
Volunteer update
In May, volunteers have given 196 shifts. That’s 71 volunteers and 792 volunteer hours. Thank you volunteers!
We're excited to be part of a Volunteers' Week event at Westgate Hall on 4 June from 4pm to 6pm. Volunteers are vital to our work with people who are homeless, and we'd love to find new people to join our team! Come along to meet Volunteer Coordinator, Rosie Bartlett, and learn more about how we support volunteers and what a difference you can make.
Upcoming events
Cranbrook Symphony Orchestra is holding a Charity Concert with Isata Kanneh-Mason at Hemsted Park in Cranbrook Sunday 7 July at 3pm. All profits will go to Catching Lives. Info and tickets here.
In case you missed it: We were featured by The Funding Network in a guest blog about our mental health services. You can read it here. Fundraiser Nick Rendall was also featured on KMFM this month. You can listen back here. Fundraiser Johnny Knight is currently cycling from Kent to Germany on a cheap bike to raise money for us. You can read his updates and sponsor him via JustGiving. Earlier this month, we were joined by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Canterbury for Nervous Drawing & Painting with Alex Boican.
We were joined by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Canterbury for Nervous Drawing & Painting with Alex Boican
Thank you!
Thank you to Finnis Scott for funding towards our garden project, which has now restarted. Thank you for generous donations from Forest of Blean Rotary Club, Eastry WI, Canterbury Chamber Choir, The Artichoke quiz and Sound Vibes Sound System.
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