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You can help rebuild lives this Christmas.
2020 has made many of us feel vulnerable, but for the people we support this is nothing new.
Even before COVID-19, most of the people in our care felt vulnerable and isolated from society. This year, the pandemic put their lives in greater danger. For those without a home, sleeping on the streets, escaping domestic abuse and living with addiction and/or mental health issues, everyday has been one of struggle and worry.
As such, the need for our life-changing services has dramatically increased, at a time when our income streams have been drastically reduced. The pandemic has meant the cancellation of most of our fundraising events and caused our charity and bike workshops to temporarily close. This is vital voluntary income needed to fund our life-changing services.
This makes our important work that much harder. Thats why your support will make such a difference this Christmas.
You will help people like Scott.
Scott suffered from abuse as a child and was given his first pint at just eight years old. As a result, he has spent the last 20 years in a cycle of drug and alcohol addiction. I used drugs to block things out. After losing his job and tenancy, he was homeless for three years and was forced to sleep in his car. In the end it got too much, and Scott attempted suicide. I had nowhere to live, I had lost my job again.
Since coming into our care, Scott is now living in his own flat, has a full-time job, has been abstinent since January and is looking forward to running another half marathon for Julian House. I feel very grateful to have been given another chance. My future now is to give my daughter the best life she deserves.
Scott isnt the only person youll be helping. People like Sarah* (name changed) who have escaped from a home governed by an abusive partner.
Sarah suffered daily for eight long years. Because her ex-partner never hit her, she never realised what she was experiencing was abuse. Instead of physical violence, he subjected her to a life under his control. In March the control got too much, and Sarah, with her children, managed to leave and were supported into our refuge. The abuse was getting horrific. If I was stuck in lockdown with him, that would have been it... I probably wouldnt be here, not through abuse but ... I couldnt have coped. I would have probably taken my own life.
10 months on and the future is looking positive for Sarah and her family. The future feels really good. I can be myself and ... have my fresh start, get my home with my children, and build a life with just them...and not have the worry and not have ... the chains... the feeling of being ground down ... I feel free.
It's thanks to supporters like you that we were able to help Scott and Sarah. However, there are so many more people who need help this year.
Support us, so together we can do more. Donate to help rebuild lives this Christmas.
£15 could pay for a replacement birth certificate, essential ID for someone moving into accommodation.
£20 could pay for one weeks washing at the emergency hostel
£50 could pay for phones and top up cards, providing vital contact for those needing our support
£100 could feed 30 people a day in the emergency hostel
£150 could pay for Tablet so that children in our domestic abuse refuge can continue their education.
£500 could pay for pay for a starter pack for someone moving into new accommodation containing essential household items such as bedding, towels, crockery, kettle and toaster.