March and April’s news has been dominated by ONE thing – COVID-19. This edition will look at the impact it has had on SMART CJS’s services and how we have had to redesign how we work to keep helping those in need.
We have so many amazing supporters, staff, volunteers, fundraisers, donors and people who make things happen and help to keep our services running. You say to us:
• How do we know what’s going on?
• What has my money gone towards?
• How can I help or donate?
• How do people get support?
The news roundup gives you the answers. It covers all SMART CJS’s projects and provides local contacts, should you wish to message a manager directly. Please free to share with your contacts – family, friends, colleagues and others.
COVID-19 Appeal Update
Last month we launched the COVID-19 appeal to raise additional funds to help provide essential services from our emergency rough sleeper base in Bedford. The money is also being used to equip our frontline key workers with personal protective equipment. It’s crucial to keep this service open and available to anyone at risk of sleeping rough so they can follow the social distancing rules and self-isolate to keep themselves and others safe.
Due to lockdown, many of our core supporters are no longer able to meet and raise funds to support our work. Churches, other faith groups, rotary clubs, schools and college donations we rely on are not being received in the usual way. We CANNOT survive without this vital income.
We have already received a fantastic response from our existing and new supporters and we are extremely grateful, but we still have a long way to go to reach our target of £25,000. We understand many people have been personally impacted by the current crisis and your financial situation may have changed, but if you are able to donate, please do so, on behalf of those who can’t. It will make all the difference in keeping current services open and protecting the future of the SMART Prebend Centre.
A message from SMART CJS’s CEO, Anita McCallum
“I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters during this challenging period and for standing by us and stepping up to the plate when we most need your help and understanding – it is HUGELY appreciated. Many more people will be made homeless through losing their jobs and income as a result of COVID-19. Sadly, we are already seeing an increase in demand in our drug and alcohol services, and this is likely to continue rising. We are determined to deliver the care and services people need now, throughout the crisis and over the months and years ahead.”
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