Exeter homelessness charity pilots new business scheme with leading national retailer

A key Exeter homelessness charity has teamed up with a leading clothing retailer to trial a new business community initiative, intended to boost funding to help people without a home.

St Petrock’s, which provides services for rough sleepers and people who are vulnerably housed in the city, has awarded AllSaints their St Petrock’s Business Partner status and it’s hoped to be the first of many such relationships between the charity and local firms.

Peter Stephenson, Director with St Petrock’s, explained: “The pilot with AllSaints builds on our existing Friends of St Petrock’s scheme, and seeks to recognise local organisations which work with us in and around their workplaces to raise money to help people who are experiencing homelessness.

“AllSaints has been brilliant. Their staff are kindly volunteering in our kitchen helping our busy cook prepare breakfasts and lunches for rough sleepers, they’re displaying collection boxes and leaflets on their till counters and have even offered to help with our vintage clothes shop in Paris Street, Petrock’s Place, by donating end of line or out of season clothes. We’re incredibly grateful for their generosity and enthusiasm for our work with homeless people in and around the city.”

John Burke, Exeter AllSaints Brand Leader, said: “We like each of our stores to support a charity because part of our ethos is giving something back to the local community.  We’ve been aware of the work of the team at St Petrock’s for some time and really wanted to help. We’ll be supporting them in any way we can over the coming months, including volunteering in the kitchen.  Making breakfasts and lunches with Linda was a lot of fun! It’s such a warm and friendly place.”

“The work St Petrocks do is inspiring to myself and my team. We are so excited to be a part of a wonderful place.  As brand leader of Exeter AllSaints I can't wait to see what we achieve together.”

St Petrock’s is offering AllSaints publicity on its social media channels, website and through any work with traditional media.  It has also provided the store with a printed business partner award, which acknowledges the mutually beneficial working relationship.

Mr Stephenson added: “The AllSaints pilot is just the beginning. It’s very much work in progress and we’re talking to some local business leaders about the most effective way we can partner with local businesses to tackle homelessness in the city together while giving generous and community-minded businesses the recognition they deserve.   We will launch the fully developed Business Partner initiative in the coming months.”

Local business leaders interested in becoming a St Petrock’s Business Partner should contact Claire Wright, Community Relations Manager atclaire@stpetrocks.org.uk in the first instance.