Projects
wE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO IMPROVE THE WAY WE HELP THOSE IN NEED
This year we decided to concentrate on improving our outreach - finding more people in need and directing them to our services, rather than just being reliant on introductions and people finding us.
With the help of the National Lottery, and a host of other supporters we have purchased a converted horsebox which we are rebuilding into a
"Have what you need....pay what you can"
catering unit that will be on the streets of Worcester providing hot drinks and snacks early in the mornings to those in need.
SORTING OUT THE CELLAR
As we have grown in Upton upon Severn by helping more people in need, it has become apparent that the workshop behind the retail area on the ground floor has become too small.
We had a little trial run with the horsebox in Worcester and that confirmed there is a need for us to provide employment opportunities for far more people than the existing workshop can cope with.
We are grateful to the landlord of the property who has given us permission to convert and improve the cellar to hand ten people at a time.
A quick chat with the Council confirmed a shopping list of items we need to improve in the cellar - these include installation of fire retardant plasterboard to the ceiling, repair of the stairs, providing two handrails, levelling the floor - all sensible things but they come at a cost! The ceiling is already done but we are anxious to undertake all the other improvements so we can use the space.
We have launched an appeal to try an raise the £9000 needed to finish the project before Christmas.
Pictures show the existing cellar as far as we have got with the renovations
increasing our skill base
and widening the range of our products
improving our community links
We have just purchased a second hand heat press so we can start to produce our own range of T shirts, towels, aprons and mugs all featuring our now famous puns from our books and cards.
Sublimation printing on material and porcelain is new skill for us all to learn .... put these items on your Christmas list for Santa!
We are delighted to announce we have been selected to be this years nominated charity for The Worcestershire Federation of Women's Institutes!
We are looking forward to their support throughout the next twelve months, not only helping us with donations for the shop, but also helping in running the Catering Horsebox
Thank you ladies of the WI!
fancy using humour to help the homeless?
Take the "I'm not laughing" challenge!
We know that there is nothing funny about homelessness, but our challenge shows how a little humour can brighten everyone's life, while actually helping those in need. With your help we aim to reach a million views on our website.
"The I'm Not Laughing Challenge"
This is how the simple idea works, you film yourself reading ten puns from the amazing booklet on the left. ( you can call in the shop and collect a booklet for nothing or you can email your address and we'll post you one for free.) While you are reading the puns, please show the QR code on the back of the booklet. The idea is you try not to smile or laugh while reading. Please mention that you are sending the video to ten friends and on receipt could they forward it on to ten of their friends, asking them to do the same, and so on. The idea being that when they see the website they will buy a book - they make super Christmas gifts!
When you share your video with ten friends you will initiate something powerful. Asking ten friends to share your video with ten of their friends creates a group of one hundred people - they reach out to another ten of their friends making it one thousand. Continue this pattern and with only six groups of ten each passing forward to another ten you soon reach
1,000,000 views!
All you have to do is persuade everybody to pass it on showing the QR code!
If you prefer you can come into the shop and use our new studio to record your ten favourite puns without laughing...... it is very difficult without raising a smile.
We then ask you to send the recording to ten of your friends, who are in turn asked to pass it on to ten of their friends - you can see how quickly that we can each a lot of people!
So either pop in the shop and use our studio or just sit at home and send your film out to ten people telling them where they can buy the books. by showing the QR code.
The new pun booklet
Now is the time to have a proper solution for homelessness - we create opportunities of meaningful employment offering proper jobs, producing, printing, and packing books where individuals can earn a living wage with dignity and regain their self respect.