Director’s Thoughts!Living and working within Genesis one experiences both celebration and concern. We celebrate the amazing generosity of people as evidenced by the large amounts of food, furniture, clothing, bedding and camping equipment that have been given over the winter. We also rejoice that the council has been so supportive in offering us a building in Walcot Street, which is very exciting for us.

However, we are very concerned that the numbers of people visiting the Lifeline Centre and Lunch Box have risen dramatically, and that last November 26 people were found to be sleeping rough. This is 26 people who have a very immediate need!

How do we respond to these various opportunities and challenges? A few weeks ago I remembered Jabez’s prayer, Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Please pray for our trustees, staff and project teams as they seek to respond. If you have an idea or would like to be involved and be part of the answer please do get in touch.

May God bless each of us as we seek to take part in God’s plan for the people of Bath.

Paul Solly | Director

From the ChairmanWe are very excited to have been offered a new building in Bath by Bath and NE Somerset council. We hope to develop the building into a vibrant shop selling stylishly painted furniture and other goods. Also onsite will be a workshop which will provide a pathway back into employment for many people. The new building will also provide a secure location for our marvellous Life Skills programme and fundraising team. The building requires total refurbishment and we will be making a planning application shortly. The retail aspect of the new building will be a social enterprise, staffed mainly by clients who are trying to get back into the job market, providing them with valuable work experience. Peter Heywood | Chair of Trustees

Summer 2015

employment for many people. The new building

marvellous Life Skills programme and fundraising

newsletter

Helping the next generation back into work!We’re delighted that our fi rst apprentice has got a job! 21 year old Russell Shepherd came to our Furniture Project on a mandatory work placement 2 years ago. He then stayed on as a volunteer, after which he became the fi rst Genesis apprentice. In April this year, Russell succeeded in getting a job at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire as a keeper in the deer park, thus fulfi lling a lifelong dream to work with animals. Of his time with Genesis he says,

It really boosted my self-confi dence and brought me out of my shell as I had to deal with customers and work on a team. Being an apprentice for a year defi nitely made me more employable - Genesis helps people like me fulfi l their ambitions.

“He’s hired!”

How art helped cure depression.Fifty three year old Andy Gouldbourne became involved with Genesis in 2011 when he was suffering from depression. He attended the weekly art group run by the Lifeskills Project and says the weekly two hour sessions took him out of a dark place and gave him a purpose in life. He realised he had a talent for art and has since exhibited his work in Bath and Bristol. He returned to Genesis this

year to volunteer with the same art group that helped him.

I can honestly say that Genesis saved my life and brought a talent out in me that I never knew I had. I am living proof that organisations like Genesis are much

needed in modern day society and need to be funded and

kept going. All I can say is thank you Genesis.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Ian at Genesis Trust on 01225 463549

“He’s hired!”

He returned to Genesis this year to volunteer with the year to volunteer with the same art group that helped him.

I can honestly say that Genesis saved my life and brought a talent out in me that I never knew I had. I am living proof

needed in modern day society and need to be funded and

kept going. All I can say is thank you Genesis.

How

We all had a Souper Time!Our brand new fundraising activity, Souper November was launched last Autumn, led by the 2014 BBC Masterchef Champion, Ping Coombes. Inspired by our longest running project, the Soup Run, we aimed to get people involved in holding soup making and sharing parties throughout the month. Bonfi re night and cold winter weather inspired many events around Bath, and the campaign was helped by huge support from top local chefs, farm shops and cafes. In all we raised £7,500 and gained many new supporters via social media and extensive coverage in the local press. We hope to make the campaign bigger and better in 2015.

was launched last Autumn, led by the 2014 BBC Masterchef

Clockwise: Rob Clayton | Ping Coombes at the Soup RunBath Rugby players dish up | Chris Cleghorn of The Olive Tree Widcombe Baptist church soup run team

Clockwise: Rob Clayton | Ping Coombes at the Soup Run

Project News

Bath Foodbank The generosity of people in Bath has been overwhelming, with over 9 tonnes of food donated in the Harvest period alone. In December, Foodbank fed 426 people, a 42% increase on the previous year. Due to increased demand in the city, a third centre has opened at St. Barnabas Church in Southdown. It operates on Mondays 12 noon - 2pm (except Bank

Holidays).

The Furniture Project Genesis Furniture Project is under new management and is looking forward to exciting times ahead. It is now on Twitter (@GenesisBathFP) and Facebook (The Genesis

Furniture Project). Look out for its re-branded vans coming soon!

To donate furniture, call 01225 421111.

Family Matters Family Matters is a new project run in partnership with B&NES Connecting Families Service. It now has eight specially trained volunteers working with families with multiple and complex needs. It is still early days, but it’s progressing well.

One family said, The support is going really well. We’ve put an action plan together and are starting to work through it. I feel really comfortable with my volunteer, which is really important to me. It’s hoped more volunteers will be recruited this year.

Anyone interested should contact Ian on 01225 463549.

The Furniture ProjectGenesis Furniture Project is under new management and is looking forward to exciting times ahead.It is now on Twitter (@GenesisBathFP) and Facebook (The Genesis

Furniture Project). Look out for its re-branded vans coming soon!

Street Pastors Street Pastors lost 2 valued members of the team this year. Rob Trickey pays tribute to Jill Gray, who died suddenly in February.

Jill was enthusiastic and energetic, even in the early hours of the morning! She was able to connect well with all sorts of people on the streets and radiated care, compassion and grace. She was an inspiration to others through her joy and commitment and will be greatly missed.

In November, our oldest Street Pastor, 82 year-old Joy Gyde retired after 6 years on the team. Joy, from Oldfi eld Park in Bath, is a great-grandmother and has enjoyed her time

helping those out in Bath late at night. We’re told that nothing fazed her and that she was always calm. Joy’s contribution as a street pastor was featured in the Bath magazine.

Street Pastors are recruiting. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Dennis Pearson via bstreetpastors@gmail.com or call him on 01225 858293.

Genesis Vouchers Our 50p vouchers can now be bought at a new venue: The Forum Coffee House, St James’s Parade in Bath. Homeless people can use the 50p vouchers to buy a meal from one of our projects or use them at Julian House. They can also be bought from Bath Abbey Bookshop, St Michael’s Church Cafe, Broad Street, and Manvers Street Baptist Church Café.

Lifeline Project The daily drop-in centre in the vaults of Bath Abbey experienced a marked increase in visitor numbers in 2014, with at times up to 50 people a day attending. During winter, many donated tents, sleeping bags,

coats and boots were given out to homeless people.

A big thank you!

All our projects depend on the input of dedicated volunteers without whom we simply could not offer our services. We’d like to thank you all for your continued hard work and kindness of spirit. Whether you donate time or skills, it is massively appreciated and makes a real difference to the lives of those we help.

Lifeskills Lifeskills continues to provide interesting courses for people to develop their creative, vocational and practical skills. Last year it ran 26 courses, some in partnership with Bath College Community Learning, including a cookery skills course leading to a Level 2 Food Safety certifi cate. Clients have also enjoyed taking part in art courses run by the Roman Baths and the Gardener’s Lodge at the Holburne Museum. Some of the great art produced at these venues was exhibited in the Bath Fringe Festival in May.

Lunchbox Lunchbox provides hot lunches twice a week from St. Michael’s Without Church. It has been 16 % busier than last year, providing 4060 meals to those in need.

Soup Run Our longest established project gave out over 11,000 portions of soup last year and has also experienced an increase in numbers using the nightly service. It will be 25 years old this year, look out for anniversary celebrations in the Autumn!

Sunday Centre Sunday Centre at Nexus Methodist Church continues to cook a hearty Sunday lunch every week and last year 2800 meals were given out.

16 % busier than last year, providing

has also experienced an increase

Lifeline ProjectThe daily drop-in centre in the vaults of Bath Abbey experienced a marked increase in visitor numbers in 2014, with at times up to 50 people a day attending. winter, many donated tents, sleeping bags,

coats and boots were given out to homeless people.

to develop their creative, vocational and practical skills. Last year it ran 26 courses, some in partnership with Bath College Community Learning, including a cookery skills course leading to a Level 2 Food Safety certifi cate. Clients have also enjoyed taking part in art courses run by the Roman Baths and the Gardener’s Lodge at the Holburne Museum. Some of the great art produced at these venues

Fundraising News

Thanks to the votes of our supporters we won £4,000 from the Bath Chronicle/Wessex Water Cash for your Community fund competition.

Steve Albrow from the winning Hair of the Dog team at our quiz at St.Phillips Church in Odd Down which raised £1,000. Thanks to William Hill for setting the fun and

challenging questions!

In March parents from Monkton Combe School presented us with a cheque for £2,900. Their Winter Ball raised money for three local charities.

16 people ran for Genesis in the ever popular Bath Half Marathon. Thanks to all who trained so hard and raised over £6,500 for us.

In April we received £3237 from M&S in Bath who chose Genesis as its Charity of the Year.

Run for us! We still have 2 charity places available in the inaugural Bristol to Bath Marathon on October 25. You don’t have to pay a registration fee but instead, commit to raising £250 for us. You can sign up here https://e.canbook.me/e/discount/8595/GOLD08/bristol-+-bath-marathon-extra

Join 56 year-old Paul Bright from Weston and run the marathon for us!

If 26 miles is too much for you then you can always run the Bath Half for us in 2016. Email michelle@genesistrust.org.uk if interested.

Cook for us! Souper November will be held again this Autumn and we’re hoping it will be a great success. Bonfi re night is a great time to hold a

soup party and you can fi nd inspiring recipes by downloading our

Souper Cookbook from our website http://genesistrust.org.uk/news/a-souper-cookbook-for-2015-3/

Upcoming events!

Steve Albrow from the winning Hair of the Dog team at our quiz at St.Phillips Church in Odd Down which raised £1,000. Thanks to William Hill for

challenging questions!

16 people ran for Genesis in the ever popular Bath Half Marathon. Thanks to all who trained so hard and raised over £6,500 for us.

Welcome to new Staff

Jon BurrowsAdmin Assistant

Brigid DevlinCommunications

Manager

Ros BellA volunteer with staying power!In 2009, single mum Ros Bell, came to Genesis on a work placement and has volunteered full time at the Furniture Project in Oldfi eld Park ever since.Ros has become the rock that holds the place together. She greets customers, draws up the van rota, deals with all kind of queries and always has a smile on her face. She says her confi dence has grown by volunteering and being given a wide range of responsibilities. I feel as though I’m giving back to the community and it’s given my life purpose. I’ve also seen fi rst hand how providing low cost furniture has helped many families set up their homes.

Getting down and dirty for Genesis!In October 25 year old Emma Savage from Bath took part in a gruelling Tough Mudder event raising £325 for us. We admire her for completing this 12 mile obstacle course on our behalf!

Have you any fun ideas for fund raising on our behalf? Do contact us if you have! michelle@genesistrust.org.uk

Contact usFor fundraising/business queries or mailing list: michelle@genesistrust.org.ukFor general enquiries or volunteering: offi ce@genesistrust.org.ukIf you would like to subscribe to our regular e-newsletters email: comms@genesistrust.org.ukwww.genesistrust.org.uk

Lee GilesDeputy Manager Furniture Project

Caleb MallardDeputy Manager

of Lifeline

Anthony WardManager

Furniture Project

New volunteersMalcolm and Brenda Wall Prayer co coordinators

Bell, came to Genesis on a work

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