The SMART Prebend Centre Cold Relief In Bedford (CRIB) appeal is in its final week and is tantalisingly close to hitting the campaign target of £60,000. The annual appeal has received a record number of donations, totalling £57,000, which has helped the homeless day centre to stay open during the harsh winter months.
February 2020, marks the launch of the SMART CJS News Bulletin – a roundup of what’s been happening across our small charity with a big heart. In this edition you can read about open days, New Year clinics, a decade at Howard House and of course, our magnificent team members, fabulous fundraisers and dedicated volunteers
Are you being affected by another person’s drug or alcohol use? When you are worried about someone’s alcohol or drugs misuse, it can be easy to put all your energy into supporting them, and forget about your own needs. It’s important to recognise that by looking after yourself, you will be in a better position to offer support to someone else.
We are delighted to welcome Dr Fatima Sogiawalla and Jono Poon to join our diverse Board of Trustees. The new recruits bring a combined expertise in healthcare, communications, digital marketing and leadership.
We were thrilled to host open day events at Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub (Milton Keynes) and the SMART Prebend Centre (Bedford), in January. SMART teams welcomed over 100 visitors across two days, providing an opportunity for residents, local businesses and partner agencies to take a tour, talk to staff and find out how SMART CJS is working to prevent homelessness and relieve rough sleeping in Bedford and Milton Keynes.
Castle Comedy, in conjunction with Bedford Park Rotary held a fabulous fundraising night for the SMART Prebend Centre last month. We are delighted to announce that we have received a total of £1546 from the event, including a cheque for £1000 from Bedford Park Rotary and £546 from the Castle Comedy reverse auction.
On Friday 31st January 2020, our homeless day centre in Bedford, the SMART Prebend Centre, is holding an open day, between 2-5pm. This is an opportunity for residents, local businesses and partner agencies to take a tour, talk to staff and find out about homelessness and how the service supports those who desperately need it.
When we launched our Cold Relief In Bedford (CRIB) appeal in November, in aid of the SMART Prebend Centre for the homeless, Bedford – the target of £60,000 seemed ambitious. But the community has got right behind it – we still need your help.
SMART CJS Wokingham is delighted to announce the opening of FREE drop-in Resolution Clinics each Wednesday from 8th – 29th January 2020, 6pm-730pm, which will focus on educating people about and potentially changing excessive drugs and alcohol usage.
The SMART Prebend Centre has set a challenge to find the most creative or crazy fundraiser (or fundraising team) in Bedford! Don’t worry if you’re not feeling imaginative, we have some suggestions for you and there is still a chance to win.
SMART CJS launched its Cold Relief In Bedford (CRIB) appeal in November to raise funds for the SMART Prebend Centre. This years target of £60,000 is higher than previous years, because the demands on the centre are greater and urgent repairs are needed to the building to keep it open.
On 11th December 2019 the team at Somewhere Safe to Stay in Bedford welcomed Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) Deputy Directory, Catherine Bennion and Ben Wright, Policy Advisory, Rough Sleeper Delivery.
Staff from Autoglass® HQ in Bedford (one of the town’s largest employers) came into the SMART Prebend Centre to help with the Christmas donations received and enable regular staff at the centre to devote more time to those accessing services 365 days a year.
On the 5th December Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub – Bedford, held their first Open morning. The team offered pre-booked tours, welcoming professional and members of the general public into the centre for an opportunity to learn more about the project.
On the 6th December our Communications and Business Development Manager took to the streets with Fergus, one of our dedicated Trustees, and Sarah, a passionate SMART Prebend volunteer. The aim of the outing was to visit independent shops in Bedford to spread the word about our annual appeal to help keep the centre open during the harsh winter months (CRIB).
The SMART Wokingham team are holding a Carol Service on the 20th December, to bring the local community together and recognise how difficult it can be for some who are using the service during Christmas.
In July 2019 Shashi, Rommana and Tay walked 96 miles along the West Highland way, from Milngavie to Fort William in Scotland to raise funds for three homelessness charities in Bedford including the SMART Prebend Centre.
Our most recent fundraising heroes, Jenny and Stuart, are lighting up their home in Cardington to raise funds for the SMART Prebend Centre. We are reliably informed that you can (probably!) see the display from space!
This week SMART CJS launches the annual SMART Prebend Centre CRIB appeal, once again calling on local residents and businesses to support Bedford’s homeless throughout the cold winter months. With predictions of the coldest winter in a decade and some of our most vulnerable residents sleeping on the street, the work of the centre has never been more important!
Bedford local Charles is raising money for the SMART Prebend Centre by taking part in the Big Stamford Bridge Sleep Out!