News
GREAT NEWS - WE ARE IN!
We are delighted to say that we have moved up the hill to Factory Row and are now installed in the new purpose-built building. This means that we can provide even better service to those in need.
Sarah Pengelly is the Manager responsible for the accommodation and catering services and Carsten Stidson is the Day Services Manager. His responsibilities include supervision of the various activities which we have developed over the past few years, such as:-
football and other sports,
fishing and boating,
photography (under Dougie’s watchful eye),
drama classes (led by our professional drama
expert, Nicola,
literacy and outings etc.
Our declared aim is to provide such opportunities to clients who have lost their way in life, in order to encourage them and help them get back on track.
All these activities cost money of course, and we are very grateful to those individuals, churches, schools and other organisations who have generously supported us in the past. We hope that your support will continue so that we can continue to make a difference.
The New Hostel
July 2009
A New Chapter...
A new season in our history is soon to begin with the opening of the brand new hostel in Factory Row. The hostel is owned by the Langley House Trust and will be managed by the Shekinah Mission and social landlord Chapter 1. LHT Staff from the current hostel will be employed as keyworkers under the new contract, as well as the team from Shekinah Torbay. Chapter 1 is a very experienced social landlord with properties based throughout the UK. It is an organisation with strong Christian values and we look forward the working well in partnership with them. The new hostel will be named after Leonard Stocks, who founded the original hostel and set up the Torbay Churches Homeless Trust. There will be 24 bedrooms as well as offices, GP facilities, a roof terrace and training/activity rooms. There are also 5 lounges and several kitchens to enable people to learn basic cooking skills.
With our ongoing funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation, local individual supporters and other small funds from charitable trusts, we will be continuing the activities, therapeutic groups and outings that we currently offer at Shekinah Torbay. The ‘day services’ at the hostel will be managed by the Shekinah Torbay Operations Manager Carsten Stidson, with a small support team. Activities on offer for hostel residents, rough sleepers and people living independently but needing ongoing support, will include: fishing, badminton, football, photography, art and craft groups, creative writing and drama, clay modelling and outings in the local community. The activities are popular and are effective for building confidence and self esteem. They also provide an opportunity to escape from everyday worries and for therapeutic self expression. Outings to places of beauty and interest offer a wonderful chance for people to see things that they would not normally see. We believe very much in the value of these activities and appreciate the support of our funders and local donors who will make it possible to continue these services.
Many Thanks to our Funders and Supporters!
Sarah Pengelly, Hostel Manager
Sarah Pengelly will manage the new hostel when it opens. Sarah has been in this line of work for 7 years and has very varied experience including work with young people, mental health services, a ‘wet house’, domestic violence services and as the manager of the street outreach team. She says, ‘I believe that the new service will bring masses of opportunities for individuals, not only in the provision of housing but in the areas of personal development, good health and mental health, with the ultimate aim of people getting back in to employment.’
Sarah is enthusiastic about the new hostel improving partnership working and believes that the hostel will be at the centre of services for homeless people in Torbay. She is keen to build on links with local churches and she believes strongly in the benefits that a church family can bring to an individual. She says that people who ask for spiritual help or prayer will have every opportunity for support in this area through the pastoral team from Chapter 1, and through the local churches.
July 2009
The Boat!!
We recently purchased a 16ft boat at a very good price. This will be used in partnership with The Jatis Project, Steady Work Torbay, Growing for Life and the new hostel, to enable a number of people to enjoy it. Our fishing trips on a local boat have been very popular, and the service users have started a fishing club. However, the trips are expensive and our own boat will enable us to develop this project further.
It is planned that this will become a social enterprise, with the boat being worked on by service users and eventually sold on to raise funds for another boat, and so on... The guys who have worked on the boat and the engine so far have been very enthusiastic and have already nearly finished refurbishing it. A day skippers ticket will be applied for in due course, as well as the necessary insurance and safety equipment.
Please contact Carsten on 01803 214988 if you have any suitable equipment that you would be willing to donate.
June 2009
The television from the project has now been passed on to one of our service users, Gary, for his new flat. Gary is very pleased with it. He continues to attend sports activities at the project.
Carsten Stidson, Operations Manager, being frisked!
June 2009
Fighting Knife Crime!
We recently had a visit from local Police who demonstrated their scanning equipment which is used to detect knives and other weapons. Staff and service users were all invited to be scanned and we are pleased to report that nothing was found!
We continue to work closely with the Police and Street Wardens to combat criminal behaviour in our local community.
Jackie (centre) with Dave and Charlie
June 2009
Another Goodbye...
Jackie Wilks has worked for the past year as kitchen manager at Shekinah Torbay, as well as fulfilling a keyworking role. She is brilliant with people and has kept the kitchem well organised during her time here. jackie has moved on to work for Addaction (www.addaction.org.uk) and will be excellent in her new role.
Thank you Jackie for everything you have done.....
Leon with Jane, a person who uses our service
June 2009
Goodbye to Leon Marley....
One of our longest serving members of the Moving on Crew has recently moved on to employment elsewhere. Leon came to us originally as a service user, who had a history of illegal drug use. He then became involved as a volunteer and worked in our kitchen for a year before being offered a paid position as a keyworker.
Leon has now started work with Maximus Employment and Training, which specialises in helping people who are disadvantaged in the labour market to gain employment. (see http://www.maximusuk.co.uk/) This follows on well from Leon's work at Shekinah Torbay and we are sure he will do a brilliant job.
Best Wishes Leon, thanks for all your hard work here......
Fundraising Paddle 2009
Sunday 28th June
This year's charity canoe paddle took place on 28th June, leaving from Totnes Steamer Quay at High Noon and arriving at Dittisham Green.
The most money was raised by Jordan Stidson, aged 10, who managed to collect £133.90 at his school and church. Jordan also took part in the paddle...
Well Done Jordan, and Thank you!!
April 2009
Exhibition
We recently exhibited information about what we do at Upton Vale Church, as part of their Mission Day. This was advertised as ‘an opportunity to learn more about the mission work supported by UV; to ask the questions you’ve always wanted answers to, to help us to encourage our Missionaries and to maybe even be inspired to a mission opportunity of your own!’
It was a great day and we were able to meet people and answer questions about our work.
If you missed us there how about coming to see us at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 27th June 2009. This will be a celebration day to mark the 1100th anniversary of the Cathedral. It will be attended by leading Christian thinkers, communicators and entertainers as well as Shekinah Torbay...!
Our Managers Carsten and Dougie with the exhibition
April 2009
MP Visits Project and Serves up Lunch!
MP Adrian Saunders recently visited us and helped to serve lunch to our service users. Adrian is a patron of the project and has previously visited us on several occasions inlcuding once on Christmas day.
Adrian said, “I very much admire the work being done by Shekinah for the homeless and vulnerable. They offer a warm and friendly welcome that for many can be the start on the long road back
to independence and well being.”
March 2009
Church Visit
Our deputy manager Dougie recently visited two churches in Dartington to talk to the congregation about what we do. He was also accompanied by Kerriann Coulter and little Maddison...who both made excellent contributions to the presentation! Kerriann has a lot of experience of the project, both as a service user and as a volunteer and is married to Dave, one of our keyworkers. She is an excellent person to talk about our work and Maddison is a delightful demonstration of two lives that have changed for the better.
Many thanks to the Revd Joanna Abecassis for letting us come and talk and to the congregations for their collection of £156.
NB If you would like us to visit your church or organisation to explain more about what we do, please contact Dougie on 01803 214988.
March 2009
Treloyan Manor
We recently had our annual trip to Treloyan Manor in St. Ives, Cornwall. This is a joint weekend away with staff from The Shekinah Mission in Plymouth. Directors, staff and volunteers came along with their partners and children. It was a very beautiful weekend, with lovely weather, scenery, loads of food and a time to get to know each other better away from work.
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Rachel Le Roux
February 2009
Goodbye to Keyworker Rachel
Rachel Le Roux, one of our hardworking keyworkers, has recently left us to work elsewhere. Having worked with Jackie Pullinger in Hong Kong Rachel has a varied wealth of experience and has moved on to work with a church in Totnes. In her new role she will work with families as well as people who are homeless.
Thank you Rachel and we wish you all the best for the future!
Annual General Meeting 2008/09
This was held on Wednesday, 4th February 2009 at 6pm
At Shekinah Torbay, 4-8 Temperance Street, Torquay, TQ2 5PU
Christmas Day!
We had a good Christmas dinner and a perfect santa in the shape of Big Will!
A big THANK YOU to all the people who volunteered to help on the day and especially to our usual kitchen volunteers who made a lovely meal. Thank you also to the Salvation Army who gave us a big donation towards the cost of Christmas and to everyone else who donated food and gifts.
Have a look at the pictures:
11 Year Old Raises Money for Project!
We recently had a visit from an 11 year old boy called Kieran, who had managed to raise £120 for Shekinah Torbay as he wanted to help homeless people this Christmas.
Kieren donated his Christmas card money, baked cakes to sell, sold some of his toys and books and held a raffle to win a turkey. This must have been quite a lot of work and we are amazed at how selfless and thoughtful he is at the age of 11.
He says, 'I have been thinking a lot about the people out there on the streets, how cold they must be in the winter and maybe lonely at Christmas'.
Kieren has reminded us all about what we could be doing at Christmas, at a time when people usually spend huge amounts of money on presents and food for themsleves. His story has appeared in today's Herald Express.
THANK YOU KIERAN!
December 2008
Christmas
On Christmas day we provided Christmas lunch for 25 service users. This was staffed by our operations manager, Carsten, and Dave Sagar, as well as volunteers from the local community. We unfortunately have to limit the numbers due to health and safety law, however other people who came to the door could be given a Christmas package with food and a present. Father Christmas was also visiting with presents for everybody.
Visit from the Samaritans
On 1st December a few members of the local Samaritans branch visited the project to speak to staff about their service. They explained that their aim is to give empathy and emotional support as well as to listen actively. Listeners do not give advice but they find that people are usually helped just by talking about their problems and can often find solutions themselves or encouragement from feeling that they are not totally alone. Calls are completely anonymous and confidential. (Samaritans can ring you back if you can't afford the call)
The local Samaritans number is 01803 29 99 99 or you can contact them via email on jo@samaritans.org or viawww.samaritans.org
15th November 2008
Congratulations Dave and Kerriann!
Dave and Kerriann got married on Saturday at All Saint's Church in Upton, Torquay. This was followed by a buffet and party at the Bancourt Hotel. It was a wonderful day, Kerriann looked absolutely amazing and everybody enjoyed spending a lovely day together.
Both Dave and Kerriann are former service users of Shekinah Torbay, and Dave is now employed as a staff member. They have a daughter, Maddison, who is one year old.
Wedding of the Year!
On Saturday, 15th November Dave and Kerriann will be getting married in Torquay. Most of the project staff are attending, together with some of the original staff and founders.
We would add a picture here of Kerriann at her hen night but she might complain...!
October 2008 - Beach Clean
We recently teamed up with the local probation service and the street wardens to clean up one of the main local beaches. A good team of service users, staff and volunteers was involved and it gave us a good chance to get out our litter pickers!
Update Moving on Crew
Unfortunately our newest paid member of the crew, John Walker, has recently resigned following an incident at work. We do wish him well for the future and for the birth of his new baby next year.
Moving On Crew
We now employ three of our Moving On Crew at 30 hours per week. One member of the team, John, has worked very hard over the past 7 months as a volunteer and has been offered a paid post as support worker. John does all kinds of jobs at the project including driving people to appointments and picking up goods, vehicle maintenance and applications for funding/ donations.
He says, 'I am doing something that I have always wanted to do...I love doing it!'
John and his wife George are expecting a baby in February and he says he is still deeply in love!
John and George
Other exciting news from the Moving On Crew includes the upcoming wedding of Dave and Kerriann, and a new member of the team - Big Will! Will helps as a volunteer in the kitchen and with tidying up. He is a passionate fisherman and enjoyed our recent trip out on the deep sea trawler.
Big Will
Will with Billy and Simon
The Crew...
October 2008 - Harvest Festival
We have had many donations of groceries and fresh veg from local schools and churches during the harvest festival season. These have been used to provide healthy meals for our homeless people and to stock up our store cupboard. We have also provided emergency packs and moving in packs of food items for people in their own accommodation.
Thank You Very Much!
NB If you wish to make a donation of food please either drop it off at 4-8 Temperance Street, Torquay, TQ2 5PU or call on 01803 214988 to arrange for it to be collected.
September 2008
Funding - We have been awarded a small grant of £2,500 from The Pedmore Trust, a small local trust. We are grateful for this and for every contribution to our monthly running costs.
September 2008
One of our regular volunteers, Charlie Newman, has recently left us to start university. Charlie was a very reliable and hardworking volunteer who gave her time even though she had to work hard at her other job. Many thanks Charlie, we hope you enjoy Uni!
Grant Warren Fletcher 9 June 1968 - 25 July 2008
Grant died of lung cancer on Friday, 25 July. He was our chef until he became ill earlier this year. We have missed him in the kitchen and as our friend and colleague, although we have enjoyed having him visit us at the project in recent weeks.
Grant was an excellent chef and coped well with the pressures of the project kitchen! He had a great sense of humour and was a gentle, thoughtful person.
WE MISS YOU!
Grant's funeral was on Friday, 1 August but we will also be holding a memorial service at the project in two weeks time, further information to follow...
Wednesday 13 August
Mike Alsford
Mike is a professional photographer and will be visiting the project on Wednesday, 13 August to hold a photoshoot. This is an opportunity for our service users (and staff!) to present themselves for a makeover and flattering photography session. People quite often love looking at pictures of themselves and especially good ones!
For further information please contact Dougie on 01803 214988.
See LINKS for further information on Mike's work.
The Chugmobile!
21 July 2008
New Vehicle!
We have managed to buy a 7 -seater Land Rover at a really good price. The vehicle is not new and was sold to us as a bargain due to our charitable status. We will be using it for project business (such as taking people to view properties, GP and hospital appointments etc) as well as trips out to local places of interest. (See "Trips" for further information)
9-11 July 2008
Homeless Link Conference
Our Operations Manager, Carsten, recently attended this year's "Homeless Link" conference in Warwick. He was joined by Simon and Dave of the Moving on Crew and director Richard Shelly.
Simon says:
"It was really interesting to see how other organisations work and how well we work as one too. Some of the stories were incredible just to see and to hear how much people will go out of their way to prevent the numbers sleeping rough and to make sure that the right support is offered so people are accepted back into society so they can carry on with their life."
6 July 2008
One of our regular volunteers, Naomi Ward, has recently left us to work full time as a carer. Thank you Naomi for all of your hard work and enthusiasm, we wish you every success in the future...
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