ALDI WEYMOUTH - LINK PARK CHICKERELL

The Nest was set up to provide support for people in our community, particularly by giving people in need access to healthy and affordable food. We also offer volunteering opportunities to members of our community who are long-term unemployed, or who have suffered serious mental health issues, to help them get back on their feet. We aim to help people facing poverty of resources, identity and relationships. We run a cafe on our Westham site to enable people to meet, make new friends and enjoy good quality meals at an unbelievably good price. Our main aims are tackling hunger within Weymouth, reducing food waste and aiding members of our community in improving their skills and employability.

I work for a Domestic Abuse Charity. We have 3 refuges and numerous clients, across the whole of Dorset. A lot of our clients come to refuge with nothing and we try to provide them with a food parcel. Also, many of our outreach client's use food banks and struggle financially when they have left their abuser.

The Bus Shelter Dorset was established in December 2016, gaining charity status from March 2017. After a number of months fundraising we converted a double decker bus in to safe sleeping accommodation for rough sleepers in Dorset, based in Weymouth. We believe that everyone has a right to a safe, warm place to call home whilst they receive non-judgemental and unconditional support and advice to address their problems and, when ready, move on into semi-dependent living and ultimately move on to independent living and employment. Our charity has evolved from our very humble beginnings and we now have a new site and 12 self contained units of accommodation for our guests along with a large communal kitchen, dining and lounge area, learning room and laundry facilities. We offer rough sleepers or those at risk of homelessness access to a supportive community environment with 24 hour high support tailored to meet their individual needs. The support we offer is unique and we have created a family environment where it is not judgmental and second chances are always offered. We want people to leave our service and not have to return through the revolving door of homelessness and will support individuals to access the appropriate move on accommodation when they are ready to do so. The support we offer: Development of daily living skills, emotional support and self-esteem building, referrals to other services and complimenting their support, support with benefit claims, support with budgeting and maximising income, support attending appointments, support to court hearings, assessment of individual needs, individual support plans led by client, allocated keyworker and regular 1-1 sessions, Trauma Informed support, preparation for tenancy readiness and tenancy sustainability, SMART recovery, Partnership working - Housing, Outreach services & Housing Associations, Probation/Prisons, Police, Health – GP, Dentist, Opticians, CMHT, Debt services, Drug and Alcohol agencies, Adult Social Care, Domestic Abuse Services, Low service charge – includes all meals, Somewhere safe to call home, a sense of belonging and purpose that continues throughout the journey of our services.