Scottish Enterprise Volunteering Session
The ESES Communities Team recently joined up with Scottish Enterprise after they requested help from us to identify a local cause for their Corporate Volunteering Day.
We were only too delighted to assist and through Darcey Joyce, Corporate Community Fundraiser at Fresh Start in Edinburgh, we all met together at their premises in Ferry Road Drive on 19th November.
Fresh Start are an Edinburgh-based charity helping people who have been homeless to get established in their new homes. Working in partnership with volunteers and organisations from a broad section of the community, they deliver a range of services that provide the practical and social support that helps people resettle successfully. Each year, Fresh Start helps thousands of new tenants settle into their homes. This can only be achieved by the hard work of volunteers and the generosity of the donations they receive.
We were initially given a tour of the Warehouse, Community Hub and Food Pantry before we were designated specific jobs.
Under supervision from Sid, a group of us were tasked with moving various household items into crates ready for distribution, as well as sorting out shelves and making up Starter Packs – cleaning and toiletry. The aim of these packs is to enable individuals to financially sustain their tenancies as opposed to going without or going into debt.
Demand for our service is growing, while funding is dwindling and demand is always especially high at this time of year as Christmas approaches and living costs soar. Fundraising, donations of goods and time spent volunteering are all essential and Fresh Start wouldn’t be able to function without these. Big thank you to everyone who gets involved in helping essential services to function.
The other group were guided by John who taught them how to test electrical equipment donations and make them fit for purpose.
There were another a number of other regular volunteers present too which added to the warm, friendly, fun and welcoming atmosphere.
What a fantastic charity they are and please pass on our heartfelt thanks to them for looking after us so well and their hospitality. The volunteers and staff are an absolute credit to the organisation being so dedicated, organised and welcoming. What a wonderful and rewarding day! Thanks to Darcey and ESES Communities again, for coordinating everything on our behalf.
As well as corporate volunteering, there are other ways to support the amazing work that Fresh Start do. Click here to see how you can help this festive season.