Andrew Pain from New Starts has shared with us four different ways you can do your bit for people in Redditch and Bromsgrove who may be going through a crisis or need a little support to help them get back on their feet after a difficult time.
It’s not about donating cash – there are a number of ways you can chip in and help:
- Donate your unwanted furniture
This can be sold in the shop to raise funds and is also donated free of charge to people in need, often as they begin a new unfurnished tenancy.
Recently a mother was given beds for her children, who had been sleeping on cushions. This meant they were better rested for school so their attendance improved and the whole household is now calmer and happier.
- Bring your old computers and laptops
These are always sanitised before being sold on and can help people who wouldn’t be able to afford a computer to access online services, helping them to save money by setting up direct debit bill payments online, or to become less isolated by researching groups and clubs in their area or simply connecting with friends and family online. New Starts also provides training for people who need help to use a computer.
- Help to stock up the food bank
The food bank is there for people in crisis – since the food bank opened more than 3,000 bags of food have been given out to people who have a temporary need for support.
- Volunteering
New Starts helps and supports people by providing work placements and enabling them to gain the experience they need to apply for a job.
Overcoming individual challenges is also part of the service, with a recent candidate being assisted to conquer his fear of the telephone. This led to him securing full-time employment as an administrator at the QE Hospital.
For more information on how you can help, go to www.newstarts.org.uk or visit New Starts at 1 Sherwood Road, Bromsgrove B60 3DR.
If you would like to join NWBL our annual membership is £99, which comes with a range of benefits. The monthly events will remain FREE of charge for members, and we’ll continue to ask for a voluntary contribution of £5 for our chosen charity. Click here to find out more, including details of our upcoming Workshops. Non-Members will be charged £10 per meeting plus a voluntary contribution to our resident charities.
Membership will also include access to the BizSmart SmartRoom, a valuable resource giving you access to downloadable resources to help you grow your business, along with regular specialist webinars and blogs.
As we enter the second year of WBL, we’ll continue to collaborate with organisations across Worcestershire, continue to raise money for local causes, and continue to grow our membership. We do hope you’ll join us at the next meeting on 21st June 2016, from 10am to 12pm at Hogarths Stone Manor.
Blog post written by Andrew Pain, New Starts
