Press releases 2007

Co-op customers make a grand gesture to Alabaré

21st May 2007

Staff and volunteers at Salisbury-based Alabaré Christian Care Centres are delighted to have been given a cash boost from the Co-operative Group.

The Devizes and Trowbridge Drop In Centres have been awarded £1000 from the Co-op Community Dividend Fund.  The money will be divided between the two centres and will go towards household and catering costs.

The two Drop In Centres open their doors three days a week to vulnerable adults who are street homeless, living in unsuitable accommodation or facing homelessness.  They offer a warm and welcoming safe daytime shelter and provide hot meals and drinks, showers and washing facilities, washing machines and dryers, a clothing exchange service, some recreational facilities and Internet access.  Staff and volunteers also offer support and advice on housing and employment, signposting clients to other Alabaré services and external agencies or professionals. 

The Drop In Centres do not receive any guaranteed Government funding and therefore rely heavily on charitable donations to keep them up and running.

The award comes from the Co-op's Community Fund, part of the Co-operative Group's membership share of profits scheme which allows Co-op members to donate all or part of their twice-yearly payouts to worthy causes.

The Fund offers grants of between £100 and £5,000, with local Co-op members' committees allocating awards based on a set of values and principles such as social responsibility and caring for others.  About £100,000 is available annually to support charities and community groups in the region.

"The Community Fund can make a real and lasting contribution to local communities and we are delighted to be of help to the Alabaré Christian Care Centres. Many community groups share our co-operative values and could benefit from an award, and we would certainly like to hear from them," said Co-operative Group regional secretary Andrew North.

Chief Executive of Alabaré, Andrew Lord, said “We would like to thank the Co-operative Group for supporting the work of our Drop In Centres in Devizes and Trowbridge.  Donations like these are essential in making sure we can continue providing this vital service for vulnerable and homeless people.”

The Drop In Centres are continually in need of support, if you would like to make a donation you can do so by calling 08450 78 68 08 or via our online shop at www.alabare.co.uk

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For more information call Lara Higgins on 01722 344484.

Alabaré Christian Care Centres is a regional charity, providing a range of services including supported housing, floating support services, drop-in centres, information, advice and training services and a registered care home.  The charity works with the homeless, ex-offenders, young people, individuals with a learning difficulty, vulnerable women and people with drug and alcohol problems, aiming to assist them with realising their potential and becoming valued members of society.

www.alabare.co.uk

For more information on the Co-operative Group Community Fund go to:

http://www.co-operative.co.uk/en/communityfund/