Charities

Volunteer Centre Sutton (VCS) provides community services to the residents of the London Borough of Sutton where it has worked for over 50 years. Using the power of volunteering, VCS aims to unlock potential, address inequalities, and support the vulnerable, disadvantaged, distressed, and deprived. VCS works by promoting and delivering voluntary projects and programmes across health, education, culture and community development for all age groups, identifying local community needs and solutions. Our MAPS (Mentoring, Advocacy and Peer Support) project helps young people with complex life circumstances, mental health issues, low self-confidence, self-esteem and self-harm achieve their full potential through the support of a volunteer mentor or advocate. Whilst our Sutton Befrienders programme reduces isolation, loneliness and improves wellbeing in the elderly, just two of the projects we run out of Volunteer Centre Sutton.

SWAN UK (syndromes without a name) is the only UK-wide network that provides information and support to families with children and young adults affected by undiagnosed genetic conditions. Run by the charity Genetic Alliance UK, our big ambition is that every family affected by a syndrome without a name has the support they need, when they need it, regardless of whether they have a diagnosis or not. We provide the opportunity for families to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of raising a child with an undiagnosed genetic condition through online forums and free whole-family events. We produce tailored information and help support families so that they feel less isolated and alone.

Swindon Foodbank provides emergency food parcels to people in crisis or emergency need. Our food boxes provide meals for 3 days however, some people are prudent enough to make their boxes last 5 days and so this figure increases with their ability to make the contents go further. I am often left feeling humbled by the stories that our beneficiaries relay to us about what has brought them to the Foodbank. Many are marginalised and disadvantaged by poverty, working and only “just about managing” or there has been a sudden change in their circumstances. Often the crisis is due to welfare benefit delays which includes the working tax benefit, bereavement, changing jobs or exceptional situations such as moving to a new home where a deposit and rent in advance is required and difficult choices have to be made about what to spend their money on; in winter the choice is often between food or fuel. One of our boxes helps people in these times of crises. We are lucky to have over 50 volunteers who donate over 10,000 valuable hours each year and help at the warehouse, driving the vans and at our 7 distribution centres which are open 11 times a week. Last year (Jan-Dec 2016) we were able to assist 2,879 adults and 1,740 children through the distribution of over 46 tonnes of food which was generously donated by local people, schools, churches and businesses. These donations gave the equivalent of 131,428 meals to those in need. Our overall contribution to social welfare not only includes the provision of food to sustain children at school, families to eat nutritionally and extend their budget but also to gain access to listening and support, money guidance and signposting to legal advice by our staff and volunteers at the distribution centres.