Chairman's Report

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2023

We decided to change the name of the Charity slightly from The London and Slough Run to “London and Slough Charitable Trust” because quite often there was a misconception that we were a charity supporting running activities. As we are expanding and broadening our offering as a homeless charity, we felt the new name better reflected the work that we do.

We decided to change the name but still keep the well established logo and strapline, and launch in time for our 40th Anniversary in 2024.

London and Slough Charitable Trust had it’s second year in Dukes House and has expanded its operations fulfilling the local needs of the homeless and those in need. British Land have extended the period of use until January 2025 and on the same terms – rent free.

We still use St Joseph’s Church premises in Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross, every Monday throughout the year, for the preparation of soup, tea and sandwiches, which are then delivered to our approx 200 homeless guests in London. We have a loyal team who have been preparing these food parcels for many years, for which we are very grateful.

Dukes House has been a blessing, because it gives us valuable space to sort the food we receive every night from the local supermarkets, and the capability to store non perishable food which we can receive in bulk.

We also receive furniture for our local community so when our homeless guests obtain a room/flat with no furniture, we can furnish the rooms. We also support the needs of the MacMillan Trust and prisoner release scheme and many other charities.

London and Slough Charitable Trust was not able to run a night shelter this year due to government guidance.

In its place, we have been working with Slough Borough Council, and together with a government grant, we have been able to obtain a local house with 10 bedrooms, communal kitchens and bathrooms.  This grant is to fund the upgrade of the accommodation and we anticipate taking over the building in February 2024, on an initial three year contract. Our aim is to help our guests by giving them a place to stay for a period of three to six months whilst they look for a job and move into their own private accommodation. Our objective is to assist approx. 40 guests a year through this programme.

We also work closely with Slough Borough Council’s Rough Sleeper team to provide support that the Council are unable to, due to the guests not being eligible for financial support or help. We are looking at further ways we can assist the ever increasing numbers of homeless in Slough.

London and Slough Charitable Trust Trustees are very grateful to all our donors who have kept us afloat this year, including British Airways, British Land, Deanway United Church, Waitrose supermarkets, The McGovern family, St Joseph’s Furniture market,     St Joseph’s Priory (for allowing us to use their premises over many years to prepare for our Monday run to London) plus our many other individual donors. Thank you.

We wish also to thank John Goudie, our past Chairman, for his support in helping us obtain the Government grant, which has enabled us to take possession of the new 10 unit accommodation, and also for his 30 years as a volunteer and supporter. We wish him well in his retirement.

The Trustees are regular ‘hands on’ helpers within the day to day running of the Charity and we continue to be grateful to our volunteers for giving up their time and their selfless and tireless work in support of our most vulnerable and marginalised people in society.

On behalf of London and Slough Charitable Trust, by order of the Trustees.

 

Malcolm Johnstone

Chairman

London and Slough Charitable Trust is a UK registered charity, number 1000331