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Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
Through its Branches Hostel, Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter (FCENS) has provided accommodation for people who have been homeless or rough sleeping for many years. The organisation has evolved in the 25 years since it was founded, originally offering temporary night shelter places; it now provides holistic, long-term accommodation and support for 30 residents, 30 former residents, and more than 100 other local homeless people. This kind of support is rare, and much needed.
Residents at Branches stay for 12 to 18 months, and are able to address their mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing while building the skills, confidence and resilience they need to be able to move into their own accommodation and live independently. Support from Branches staff is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
“Branches has saved my life. I don’t think I would’ve lasted another year on the street!” Danny, Branches’ Resident.
STEPPING STONES PROJECT
The project we funded marks another important development in FCENS’s evolution – a move-on accommodation programme, called ‘Stepping Stones’, that will allow Branches residents to live independently through 6 to 12 months of advice, advocacy and mental health support. The project grew out of the organisation’s awareness that many Branches residents were ready for move-on accommodation, but there were no suitable options. Stepping Stones is designed to provide a sustainable solution to this problem.
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Proactive Funding
News
3
min read
Funding Through Growth and Transition: What Philanthropy Can Learn from the Race Equity Programme – Part 2
This is the second part of a two-part blog written by Natalie Cleary of Liberating Knowledge, and Dee Breacker and Derek Bardowell of Ten Years’ Time. Liberating Knowledge and Ten Years’ Time are the Learning Partners to our Racial Equity Programme, and have been working with The Clothworkers’ Foundation and the four Racial Equity grantholders over the last three years. The Racial Equity Programme provides core funding to support the strategic development and growth of the four organisations, and these blogs describe the ‘funding trap’ that can hinder racial equity organisations as they grow, as well as the way funders can act to avoid this.
Proactive Funding
News
3
min read
Too Big, Too Small: The Funding Trap Facing Racial Justice Organisations – Part 1
This two-part blog was written by Natalie Cleary of Liberating Knowledge, and Dee Breacker and Derek Bardowell of Ten Years’ Time. Liberating Knowledge and Ten Years’ Time are the Learning Partners to our Racial Equity Programme, and have been working with The Clothworkers’ Foundation and the four Racial Equity grantholders over the last three years. The Racial Equity Programme provides core funding to support the strategic development and growth of the four organisations, and these blogs describe the ‘funding trap’ that can hinder racial equity organisations as they grow, as well as the way funders can act to avoid this.
Proactive Funding
News
2
min read
Our Disability Equity Portfolio is Complete
Announcing our newest partners in our Disability Equity portfolio.
A closer look at our grantmaking
Annual Review 2024
