EACHa
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It was a great thrill that EACHa was declared the winner of the Eliminating Poverty category at the East Ayrshire Community Planning Awards. It is gratifying that the wider community has recognised the work done by EACHa in alleviating the circumstances of those families who, for whatever reason, find themselves homeless. Regular provision of toiletries and toys would not be possible without local churches working in harmony to benefit the less fortunate in our community.
Click EACHa to see pictures of the Presentation of the Award
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East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action
Churches Working Together
Who we are
East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action (EACHa) is a registered charity, formed in 2005, with the support of Scottish Churches Housing Action. Laigh West High Kirk is an active participant, along with local churches of various denominations – Church of Scotland, Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal, Roman Catholic. It is an excellent example of churches working together.
EACHa was thrilled and very proud to be declared the winner of the Eliminating Poverty category of the 2009 East Ayrshire Community Planning Awards
Our mission
East Ayrshire has many homeless people, around 1000 individuals or families becoming homeless every year. Council staff and social services can provide accommodation and advice, but churches can offer tangible help, along with the hand of friendship, ie putting faith into action. Our motto is ‘Each person matters’
What we do
We provide a hygiene, or ‘wellbeing’ pack of essential toiletries to every person who becomes homeless. WE also provide an activity pack of toys for each child.
WE are now in the process of setting up a 'befriending' service, Community Friends, where volunteers are matched with a homeless person for social activities.
A Christmas gift scheme where churches give presents of toys to local needy children is also organised by EACHa.
Community Friends
A new service is being established in 2009. This is a service initiated by EACHa and administered by Aspire2Gether, an organisation with extensive experience in supporting homeless individuals and families. Financial support has been provided by NHS Ayrshire and Arran and East Ayrshire Council.
A ‘Community Friend’ is a trained volunteer who supports someone experiencing homelessness. The aim is to improve the befriended person’s involvement in the community in a friendly, non-judgemental way. Volunteers are welcome and can apply for an application pack. If suitable, they will receive training, and then will be matched with a suitable ‘befriendee’. Befriender and befriendee will meet every couple of weeks for social activities, and the relationship, always overseen by the Development Officer, will last for about one year.
Further information is available on the Community Friends website
www.community-friends.org.uk
or by telephoning the Development Officer at 01292 670674. The minister also has explanatory leaflets.
A copy can be seen at the Download List attached to this page.
Wellbeing and toy packs
Member churches collect toiletries and toys, either by a box at the door or by special appeal. These are delivered to Laigh West High Kirk, where packs are made up every week and delivered to the Housing Options office for distribution. Contents of the packs are listed below
Results
The Community Friends service is an exciting new development, and will run together with existing activities.
The target of a pack for each homeless man, woman or child has largely been met each year, an achievement illustrating the commitment of participating churches. Feedback has always been very positive, recipients very grateful for generosity and kindness of church members. At present around 15 churches, of all denominations, regularly contribute with goods or cash donations.
Further information:
Arthur Walls – Tel 01563 526845
Janice Grant - Tel 01563 542202
Hygiene Packs
Hand towel; toilet bag; soap; shower gel; shampoo; conditioner; roll-on deodorant; hair brush; comb; face cloth; nail brush; emery boards;
Also, items for male, female or baby: disposable razors; shaving foam; aftershave; nappies; baby lotion; baby wipes; nappy cream; moisturiser; sanitary items
Material for making bags to hold the toiletries always welcome.
Activity Packs
Made up according to boy or girl, and age., from baby to teenage. Suggestions are:
Rattle; soft ball; bath toy; soft book; cuddly toy; activity books; doll; toy car; tambourine; drum; board game; bat and ball; story book; pencil case; crayons; art and craft materials; jigsaw; puzzle book; spade and pail.
Any of these are very welcome, and can be brought to church any Sunday
Community Friends Brochure
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Printable Version