This Community Heart needs to keep beating

Aim

To ensure the Communities heart continues to beat. Bringing hope, help and empathy alongside practical assistance. Help us to help others.

Who are we:

We are Grandads Front Room CIC Community Support Shop and we started all that we do in 2014 becoming a CIC in 2016.

We are all Volunteers, or Grandadders as we like to be called, and we are here to help those that struggle. alleviate worry, give to those that have not and empower those that help others thru partnership.

Ex-Offenders: We are not here to judge... we are here to help those that wish to benefit the Community they are a part of.

Homeless: Advice, hot drinks, food, clothing, tents, blankets, space blankets, shoes, guidance and give them a voice.

Domestic abuse: When referred to us by sister agencies we supply whatever is needed to make the accommodation they have been offered thru councils etc the best it can be from crockery and cutlery to white goods and soft furnishings and everything in between for free but we accept a donation of their choosing if they offer.

Veterans: We are lucky to have almost 100yrs of service in the ranks of the Grandadders and they will not let any Veteran from any arm go without help. If we do not have what is needed we liaise with a sister organisation and the need is fulfilled. We are proud to help those that served.

Elderly: friendship, a cuppa, a warm space, a game of scrabble/chess etc, free blankets, heavy curtains given and hung to help stave off the cold, replacement essential household goods, food, clothes etc.

Families: We provide much needed advice and signposting alongside toys, food, clothing and free school uniforms.

Recovery: Those that find themselves in the realms of recovery are often in need of understanding, patience and understanding. To them we reach out a hand of friendship and assistance.

In the last month we have gifted a fridge to an elderly couple as theirs had broken and they did have any funds available. It was of great importance to them and their health as they were, since their fridge broke, keeping his insulin in the neighbours fridge. We also did a shop for them as they were very short on food.

An elderly Lady with mobility issues was in a third floor flat with no lift so we stood by her side and gave her a louder voice when talking to those that matter. After months of to and fro she was eventually housed in a flat that was fit for her needs but she was away from town and was becoming socially isolated so we invited her into town for a cuppa and gifted her a very good condition 2nd hand mobility scooter which she did not expect and she rode of crying... Happy tears

A disabled gentleman with medical needs which meant he had to clean clothes thoroughly and bedding almost every night had no washing machine and could not afford one so we sourced one, collected it, checked it over and drove to his home and gifted it (and plumbed it in).

We are merely doing what should be done and want to continue as people this service now more than ever and the need will become greater sadly.

We operate on an "Honesty Box" basis with regards to many items that we supply to those in the Community meaning that people pay what they honestly can with no judgement and if they cannot afford then no matter as the need is still there so we will still help.

What are we hoping to raise?

Enough to cover 3 months of running costs for the Front Room (our meeting space/shop and place of welcome to those in need).

These costs are:

Wages/Salaries £ zero as we are all Volunteers/Grandadders

Rent for the Front Room £985/month x 3 = £2955

Insurance for Front Room £85.23 x 3 + £85.23

Electric £300/month x 3 = £900

Water £30/qrter = £90

Total £4030.23

We, The Grandadders, realise this is a lot to ask for but we are hoping we can achieve it with your help, your blessings and understanding that ALL will go toward helping others.

We take nothing and indeed we hold empathy with those that struggle as most of us do struggle also and in fact some of the lead Grandadders have used the Foodbank themselves recently and have faced challenges akin to those that the Community face so we sit with our Community in their struggle BUT we know that together we can, and will, come thru the other side stronger if we stand together.

If you can find it in your hearts and it is in within your abilities please help us reach our target and enable us to achieve some breathing space to build and become stronger so that we can effect change beyond the struggle we currently face daily.

We need help to survive and continue the much needed service we provide.

As little as £1 can help because lots of littles make a lot.

X Grandad X

This project successfully funded on 13th February 2023