Exeter-based charity, St Petrock’s, as set up a home and garden maintenance project with a difference.
Project Petrock aims to help people who are or have been homeless into work or training by providing volunteering in ‘real work’ situations.
Project Petrock’s Training Supervisor, Mat Tandy explains said: “Our volunteers want to be busy but find it extremely difficult to find work and meaningful occupation. By volunteering with us, the volunteers know that their labours contribute to keeping the project going in more ways than merely raising funds.”
Sweeping changes to the benefits system, due to come into force next year, could see a rise in the number children being taken into care and more homeless people in Exeter, according to charities and welfare organisations in the city.
Earlier this year the Government announced a series of reforms designed to target those avoiding work because benefits are more lucrative for them.
However at a summit of Exeter groups last week, concerns were expressed that the some of the changes will affect the most vulnerable.
If your company is planning a Christmas Party this year, could we ask you to consider giving £1 per person to help a local charity support people who are homeless?
St Petrock's has been providing emergency survival services as well as advice and referral to local people in crisis for over 18 years. In that time, we have helped over 10,000 individuals. In the last 12 months, we have helped 1,396 homeless and vulnerably housed people through our services and 806 have been supported into accommodation.
This winter, again, we plan to open up the centre during...
Exeter's new designer charity boutique on Paris Street, Sprout, which raises funds for homeless charity Emmaus, will be officially launched on Wednesday 6th October by Terry Waite, the charity's President and former special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury who was taken captive in Lebanon in 1987 whilst negotiating the release of Western hostages. The shop was decorated by a team of former homeless people, who rolled up their sleeves for the charity that helped them to get their lives back on track.
Emmaus Exeter will use funds raised by Sprout Boutique to help combat the...
M&S and Shekinah, a charity that provides opportunities for people in recovery, are calling on local people to roll up their sleeves and Spark Something Good in a week of volunteering that will positively impact 24 projects at the heart of the community in Exeter and Plymouth.
On Friday 9 September, we are calling on volunteers to help us sort and pack food items for people who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. The work of the project will also provide Shekinah with a new stock room, with more space for upcoming harvest festival donations which will help to support...
On Sunday afternoon, friends of Michelle Conroy gathered outside the St Petrock’s Centre on the Cathedral Green to say their goodbyes. Michelle was the young homeless person who was killed by a falling tree during the storms last week.
About 50 people were present, most of them from Michelle’s ‘street family’. One friend sang a song and then prayers were led by Canon Anna Norman-Walker from the Cathedral. Everyone was then invited to write a few words in a book of remembrance. This will be in St Petrock’s this coming week and then sent to Michelle’s family in the Channel...
