Category: Taking Part

Swinton MD takes on Kilimanjaro for Shelter
Swinton MD takes on Kilimanjaro for Shelter
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In early 2018, Swinton Insurance announced a partnership with Shelter, their ambition being to generate funds and raise awareness around poor-quality homes, the housing shortage, and homelessness across the country.

With plans for a series of fundraising events for colleagues and customers, Swinton committed to raising £50,000 by April 2020 – and we’re delighted to say they’re already just a few pounds away from reaching that target! People all across the company have taken on challenges like the London Marathon, … Read more

Shelter and B&Q: transforming homes and improving lives
Shelter and B&Q: transforming homes and improving lives
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This year, as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, B&Q delivered six home makeovers for those who have used Shelter’s services, transforming their homes and enabling them to feel safe and secure. At each makeover, our DIY Skills Advisers (DIYSAs) worked with the individuals and families to decide what home improvements would be undertaken, ensuring that they were at the heart of any work done on their homes.

The makeovers wouldn’t have been possible without B&Q volunteers bringing their enthusiasm, … Read more

9-year-old Lovisa to cycle 100 miles to fight homelessness
9-year-old Lovisa to cycle 100 miles to fight homelessness
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9-year-old Lovisa is doing her bit to fight homelessness with her very own Home2Shelter bike ride, an 100 mile sponsored cycle from her home in Great Blakenham, Suffolk, to Shelter’s London headquarters.

Lovisa is passionate about cycling and the freedom it gives her and will be accompanied on her bike ride by her Dad, Jamie.

‘Having seen the challenges met by those facing homelessness, Lovisa felt lucky to have a home, and was moved to do something to help,’ Jamie … Read more

Shelter Dorset: the power of a makeover
Shelter Dorset: the power of a makeover
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Volunteers for Shelter Dorset have been hard at work doing hub and home makeovers. In the most recent home makeover, volunteers helped a family who’d been living in temporary accommodation settle into their new home by doing decorating and DIY.

‘It makes such a big difference to our service users,’ hub manager Kate Parker said. ‘It’s about making the house a home.’

The makeover is thanks to B&Q employees, who volunteer for Shelter as part of our corporate partnership. 14 … Read more

Partnerships are key for Shelter Norwich
Partnerships are key for Shelter Norwich
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Saturday 6 July was Norwich’s Lord Mayor’s Celebration, a parade through centre of Norwich that included dancers, musicians, performers, floats and puppets. This year, pride of place at the front of the procession was taken by the Norwich Financial Inclusion Consortium, a group of charities that includes Shelter Norwich.

The Norwich Financial Inclusion Consortium led the parade because they were named the Lord Mayor and Sheriff’s Civic Charity of the Year, due to the consortium’s work helping people with a … Read more

How co-production creates opportunities for all
How co-production creates opportunities for all
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Co-production brings people who use services together with the organisations that provide those services to shape how they should be delivered. It’s valuable both for organisations and for the people who use its services – and that’s why at Inspiring Change Manchester (ICM), it’s at the heart how we operate.

A few years ago, the word co-production might’ve been mentioned in passing. Services and organisations might have put some service user representation on panels at events or may have asked … Read more

Let's hear it for our volunteers
Let's hear it for our volunteers
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National Volunteers’ Week 2019 is coming to an end and here at Shelter, it’s been all about celebrating the contribution of everyone who gives up their time to support what we do.

From the volunteers who bring in vital funds through their tireless work at our charity shops to those who support and mentor service users in our hubs; from those who make up the cheers squads at Shelter events to those who impact the communities we work with by … Read more

Passenger donates all profits from his new album to Shelter
Passenger donates all profits from his new album to Shelter
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There are many people who support Shelter in different ways – and among those is multi-award winning and platinum selling singer-songwriter Passenger. In an amazing gesture, 100% of the profits from his new album, Sometimes It’s Something, Sometimes It’s Nothing At All, will be donated to Shelter. At Passenger’s request, the proceeds will be used to help fund our vital Family Support Services.

On the day of release, Passenger – aka Mike Rosenberg – dropped by our flagship charity boutique … Read more

Why I'm running the London Marathon for Shelter
Why I'm running the London Marathon for Shelter
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Running the London Marathon for Shelter brings together two things that are important to me: running and housing.

Despite hating most exercise as a child, I’ve somehow ended up running half marathons in my 40s. I enjoy the runner’s high, the peace and quiet away from the demands of work and children, and the justification for eating extra cake. I even got the foolish idea that I’d like to run the London Marathon at some point. Then an internal email … Read more

Run, bake or DJ – there are so many ways to raise money for Shelter
Run, bake or DJ – there are so many ways to raise money for Shelter
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From bake sales to breakdancing, cycling to scaling skyscrapers, there are so many unique ways to fundraise for Shelter. Take DJs Doug, Tom, Charlotte and Jamie, who decided the best way to support us was to put on a night of awesome retro tunes.

The group of friends came up with club night Maneater – 00s Trash Club, a celebration of the turn of the millennium featuring classics like Overload by the Sugababes, the freakily-good Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz, … Read more

13.1 things to know about running a charity half marathon for the first time
13.1 things to know about running a charity half marathon for the first time
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We’re delighted to bring you this guest blog from Glen, who recently took on the Hackney Half Marathon for Shelter.

A half marathon isn’t easy. That’s not even one of the 13.1 things for you to know. No, that’s just some straight-up complimentary truth to kick things off. If you’re not a runner, this is going to be hard work. But that’s the point – because you find running far to be plain-sailing, then you won’t get any sponsors. Your … Read more

Putting our service users at the heart of our work
Putting our service users at the heart of our work
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When Amelia’s mum fell behind with her rent payments, her family found themselves facing eviction. As the situation became increasing challenging, they sought help from our Shelter Hub in London.

 Shelter helped us get legal advice and assisted with financial support so we could pay off debts. I started thinking, maybe I could turn this nightmare into something positive?

Amelia is now part of our growing movement of service users who use their experience of homelessness as a force for … Read more