This is what some of the London based organisations have to say about being involved with Winant Clayton Volunteers.
Providence Row Charity has so far been delighted with the volunteers sent by Winant Clayton Volunteers. Providence Row is a day centre in the heart of London, providing a safe haven and support for homeless and vulnerable people. We provide food, washing facilities, and housing and health advice, but many of our clients have substance misuse or mental health problems, and lead chaotic and dangerous lives - advice alone is no good to them. This year’s Winant Clayton volunteers worked with our meaningful occupation team, which runs activities like IT and art workshops, a bicycle repair group and help with job search – all aimed at building clients’ self-esteem, giving our clients a structure to their days, and a sense of purpose. Our clients aren’t always easy to engage with, or to motivate, but the Winant volunteers brought a wealth of enthusiasm, humour, strength and warmth, encouraging clients to sign up to workshops which eventually led to a newsletter written and produced entirely by the clients themselves. We’re looking forward to seeing what next year’s volunteers bring us!
Judith Fessler, Organisational Development Officer, Providence Row
Mosaic Clubhouse is based in London and is part of the world wide network of Clubhouses. At Mosaic we work with people who have severe and enduring mental ill health. The ethos of our organisation is founded on building relationships, therefore members and staff works side by side to create a working community. We believe that people are all gifted and have a purpose and at Mosaic we support members to reach their full potential by using work as the tool. I have been working at Mosaic for over eight years and during this time we have always had people from Winant Clayton volunteer with us for seven weeks during summer. The members of the Clubhouse really look forward to their time with us. The Winant Claytons volunteers work along side the members and help them to achieve their goals. We are so fortunate to have had some great volunteers over the years and they have never disappointed us. Each year it is sad to see them leave as they have become so integrated to our community and each one of them really feels like part of our family. We are so very grateful for the help they have given us and look forward to working with them in the future.
Beverley Randall , Programme Manager, Mosaic Clubhouse
Neighbours in Poplar and SPLASH- both registered charities working in Poplar- the Eastern End of Tower Hamlets- have benefited enormously from the gifted volunteers who have come across the Atlantic to help our very diverse community. Most of our individuals and families are very deprived (by recognised Health and Housing standards), despite their proximity to the wealth of Canary Wharf. The US volunteers have been a real pleasure to work with, each different, but flexible and free spirits and we are really happy to be beneficiaries of this programme.
Sister Christine Frost, Manager, Neighbours in Poplar