Amazing Opportunities CIO

• Ironically, Malvern’s homeless charity has become homeless.

We had built a thriving charity shop supporting the homeless and disadvantaged.

Four days before Christmas our landlord announced that he was retiring and selling up, consequently our charity is now on the street and seeking help to secure new premises and reopen.

We are anxious to secure a new home for our charity and in order to continue supporting individuals in hardship, your financial support is crucial.

Our journey so far has taught us that endings are just new beginnings in disguise, and we know that with our determination and your help we can overcome this hurdle and establish a new home for our charity.

Prior to being given notice we had worked with paper thin reserves as we believed the money we raised should be used to help those in need, rather than fill a bank account, particularly as our landlord was also a trustee, we had felt secure. A month’s notice was the last eventuality we had considered.

We have stored all our workshop items, shop display and stock into a shipping container ready to come to life again as soon as we secure another property. 

We have found three possible new locations, all we need is sufficient funding to help create a better tomorrow for those we support.

The cost to secure a lease, decorate, fit the workshop and retail area, move everything out of storage, put up signs and advertise for support is a shade under £7000.

As a famous grocer once said “Every little helps” and that’s exactly what we are asking for, just a little help from everybody who reads this, to help us reach our target of £7000 and re-establish Amazing Opportunities CIO.

We remain steadfast in our belief that everybody has the potential to thrive given the right opportunities. We help individuals achieve financial stability by fostering a sense of dignity and purpose. Like our charity, most of those we help hadn’t seen their crisis coming; illness, unemployment, relationship breakdown, domestic abuse, eviction, can take their toll very quickly. 

Paradoxically, this forced move to new premises will allow us to develop a more effective and stronger platform for helping people off the streets by providing education, training and employment opportunities for self sufficiency. We will create a vibrant and creative space for the whole of Malvern to be proud of.

Our support offers real impact helping deal with the root causes of homelessness rather than the effects. We recognise that employment is crucial step towards independence, 

Our sustainable business model provides income for those we help and revenue for future proofing the development of the charity.

Any kindness you can show making a donation now will allow us to relocate and engage with those in need to provide support and opportunity. Last year we helped nine people rebuild their lives and rise out of homelessness, please help us help more this year.

Aims

Fully functional, open door facility to help those in need in the community.

Provide a safe haven, where people can access resources.

Training room, workshop and retail space.

A county wide awareness campaign.

Action Plan:

The trustees have developed an action plan to relocate the charity as soon as possible.

1. Crowd Funding  Publish crowd funding campaign to help raise money to cover costs of re-establishing.

2. Community Engagement   Engage with the local community to raise awareness about the charity’s needs. This can involve outreach through social media, local events, and partnerships with other organizations.

3. Networking   Connect with local businesses, philanthropists, and civic leaders who might be able to provide support, whether through funding or connections to property owners.

4. Grants  Research and apply for grants specifically aimed at supporting homelessness services or community support organizations

5. Local Government Support    Reach out to local and county councils to seek assistance or advocacy for finding a new funding. Government programs may exist to aid such initiatives.

6. Fundraising Campaigns   Organize fundraising campaigns to help raise funds towards moving expenses and renovations needed in a new space

7. Consider Temporary Solutions   If a permanent location cannot be immediately arranged, consider temporary solutions, such as co renting a space until a more permanent option becomes available.

8. Volunteer Support   Engage volunteers to help with the logistics of moving, including packing, moving items, and setting up the new facility.

9. Communication   Keep stakeholders and beneficiaries informed throughout the process to maintain trust and ensure that the services can continue with minimal disruption.

By taking these steps, the charity can effectively work towards finding a new home that better suits its mission and the needs of those it serves.A carefully considered budget has been established as a target for fundraising:

Budget to re-establish charity premises. 

1. Secure a lease on retail/workshop premises.  - £2500

    Deposit & initial rent estimate £2000

    Legal costs £500

2. Move everything out of current storage.  - £380

    Van hire £280

    Fuel etc £50

    Volunteer exp £50

3. Fit out new workshop and retail space.  - £3020

    Decorate – paint and materials £450

    Fit shop and workshop £500 – shelving/counter etc

    Volunteer expenses £50

    Electrical works (lighting/power sockets) £1200

    Dust extraction for workshop £370

    External / internal signage £450

4. Advertise to recruit new support staff to work with those we help. - £200

    Mix editorial and paid advert in local press £20

5. Advertise for donations for resale. - £250

    Press and community boards £250

6. Contingency - £650

    Say approx 10%   £650

Total  £7000

As a famous grocer once said “Every little helps” and that’s exactly what we are asking for, just a little help from everybody who reads this, so please help us reach our target of £7000 to re-establish Amaze.