LEICESTERSHIRE CARES "SPORT & SUPPORT DAY"

At Braunstone Leisure Centre, for the "Sport and Support Day" organised by Leicestershire Cares. The event, several weeks in the planning,  has been widened out somewhat, from the original target group of homeless and vulnerably housed people, to encompass people experiencing situations of domestic abuse or violence, asylum seekers and refugees.

Chris Toon, Homelessness Project Officer for Leicestershire Cares (who has been the driving force in this event) asked me to bring the full set of banners in the Council of Faiths display. I thought that might be a little overwhelming, given the nature of the displays that some of the other participants would be able to put up, but he insisted that we show ourselves off in our full regalia.

Councillor Wesley (who has backed this event since it was first mooted) spoke from the stage. Councillor Wan dropped by and Councillor Hall (the Lord Mayor of Leicester) came round the stalls (in mufti).

Other agencies, groups and organisations taking part today include:

• Action for Children Family Intervention Project
• Action Homeless
• Domestic Violence Integrated Response Project
• inTraining
• Kiddy Care Ltd
• Leicester City Council Revenues & Benefits
• Leicester College
• Leicester Community Legal Advice Centre
• Leicester Home Choice
• Leicester Libraries
• Leicestershire Constabulary (Hinckley Road local policing unit)
• Multi Access Centres
• Refugee Action
• Safe (domestic violence support for women)
• Soar Valley Music Centre
• Somaili Development Service
• STAR (Supporting Tenants & Residents)
• SureStart Braunstone
• Welfare Rights Advice
• Zinthia Ganeshpan Trust

The day seems to have been a success, with perhaps as many as 350 people attending. People attending get a free day pass to the leisure and sport facilities here (except for the swimming pool) and First Bus have offered a free return ticket to those travelling here by public transport. Staff and service users from hostels and other facilities take a variety of materials from our stall, such as the set of introductory leaflets.

Claire Glanville, from Action for Children Family Intervention Project, signs me up to take part in a "Diversity Day" that they'll be holding at the end of October. Think I'll bring just the one banner for that one though!

Leicestershire Cares (2)

Leicestershire Cares is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and as part of the celebrations they've been holding a number of special events throughout the year. Their Homelessness Project is arranging one of these at Braunstone Leisure Centre on Thursday 2 September: "Leicestershire Cares Sport and Support Day". Clients can come along and try some of the sports and gym facilities as well as getting advice from more than 30 different city and county agencies. The event targets people who are homeless, who are in the process of becoming homeless, or are in genuine danger or fear of becoming homeless. There will also be a creche, play area, face painting etc for children, live music and entertainment throughout the day, a packed lunch provided for everyone and a prize draw. First Bus is providing free transport to and from the event.

Following initial contact with Chris Toon a number of weeks ago, this meeting today brings together a number of those supporting the Braunstone Leisure Centre event. Chris Toon thanked Councillor Paul Westley for supporting the project (although he couldn't attend this meeting today). After asking for asking everyone around the table to introduce themselves, Chris asks me to say a little about the Council of Faiths' involvement. Erica Danson, Trainee Reporter, BBC Radio Leicester with roving digital microphone, records 30 seconds or so with just about everyone here, extracts of which will be broadcast on the Breakfast Show tomorrow, to be included in an interview with Monica Kinche, Director of Leicestershire Cares. This really has grown into something that promises to be a special example of collaboration and compassion. It's going to be rather demanding to do this on the day but it sounds like it will be well worth it.

Find out more about Leicestershire Cares:
http://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/

Leicestershire Cares (1)

A meeting this lunchtime with Chris Toon, Homelessness Project Coordinator at Leicesterhire Cares - a membership organisation of key employers in Leicester and Leicestershire, dedicated to corporate responsibility, by bringing businesses and the community together for the benefit of both. Until recently, Leicestershire Cares was part of a national movement of Cares partnerships, but it has recently established its independent identity.

Leicestershire Cares is organising an engagement event at Braunstone Leisure Centre in September, originally intended for homeless or vulnerably housed people, but which has now expanded to encompass asylum seekers and refugees. Sport will be the big draw, with free sessions a the leisure centre for those attending on the day. Chris is hoping to have representation of a number of groups addressing issues that affect those client groups: housing options, benefits, sexual health, Chamber of Commerce, police, health and well-being. I show him photos of the Council of Faiths exhibition on the blog and he asks if we can put the whole thing up at this event. He also asks if we can provide a speaker who will get up on stage for two or three minutes and if there's any chance we can organise a musical contribution.

Find out more about Leicestershire Cares:
http://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/