Since 2015, we have supported a wide range of organisations representing causes including Childhood & Family Bereavement, (CHUMS) Poverty, (Level Trust, Luton Foodbank) and Disability & Learning Difficulties (Transitions UK). This year, the focus is on Homelessness, and supporting homeless people in Luton and Bedfordshire to find a pathway back to supporting themselves.
Each year, we have also asked our home shirt sponsors to get involved by taking part by surrendering their sponsorship for one match during the course of the season, with a shirt auction taking place shortly afterwards in aid of the charity.
Once again, Indigo Residential have agreed to give up their place on the shirt, making way for the Signposts logo for our match against Leeds United – a very generous gesture which will help to raise awareness, and thousands of pounds and for the charity.
Today’s visit began in Old Bedford Road, where we met with the Signposts team of volunteers. They explained how their volunteering activities help the local community through litter picking, marshalling events and other activities.
The ‘Team SP’ project was founded in 2010, and aims to challenge the stereotypes surrounding homelessness by ensuring that people who live at Signposts are able to contribute within their local communities. They deliver thousands of volunteer hours, where relationships are built, and the whole community benefits as a result.
Their team regularly marshals at local festivals and big events such as Love Luton Half Marathon, organises litter picks including the annual Great British Spring Clean, and supports environmental projects which benefit our green spaces.
The visit then moved on to two of Signpost’s properties where we met members of their team. It’s their job to support clients as the arrive, often directly from the streets, then progress along their journey. We also delighted to meet some of Signposts clients and to hear how Signposts’ work helps to provide them a safe place to sleep, a sense of family and community and opportunities to grow and move forwards with their lives. People like Reece, a young man and Luton Town supporter who is currently living at Signposts.
We’d like to thank everyone at Signposts for their time today, especially the clients who welcomed us into their rooms and shared their stories and experiences so openly.
All of the money raised this season will go towards helping people like Reece to hopefully find their feet, and move forward positively with their lives through the amazing Team SP Project, and with the help of the skilled and caring staff at Signposts.
To find out more about Signposts, visit their website https://www.signpostsso.org/. We’ll be holding more fundraising events throughout the season, like today’s Skydive by Sophie, so please give generously if you can.
COME ON YOU HATTERS.
