Sanctuary Trust needs TV votes for vital cash

Volunteers outside the Sanctuary Trust

The Rochdale based Sanctuary Trust has reached the final stage of the People’s Millions from the Big Lottery and needs phone votes to win the funds on offer.

The Trust has been working with the homeless and those at risk of homelessness for almost 20 Years and the money from the People’s Millions would enable them to set up a personalised printing service where homeless and vulnerable people can learn a trade and gain NVQ qualifications in the printing industry.

It will also recruit a specialist employee who will develop volunteer opportunities with local businesses to offer placements in many different industries.

Sean Reddaway from the Trust explained why they entered the People’s Millions, “Our existing services are doing a fantastic job of helping people deal with addiction and addiction related crime and homelessness. However, without the realistic hope of a job the risk of failure in their own accommodation is high. Boredom leads to old habits and behaviours. The People's Millions gives us an opportunity to address this.”

The Trust is hoping to get the highest number of votes and be awarded over £48,000 for their project titled ‘Printing a brighter community future.’ They will go head to head with ‘Grozone Community Garden’ in Northwich.

Of course, getting to this stage is already a huge achievement, Mr Reddaway said:  “For me it’s fantastic! The BIG Lottery and the People’s Millions programme are committed to helping local charities and community groups make a difference in the towns we live in. For the people who access our existing services are ‘over the moon’ and they are so excited about our project being on T.V. They are desperate to have a programme that can help them build their confidence in getting work and holding the job down.”

Telephone votes can be made for the Trust on the Wednesday 24 November. Telephone numbers will not be published until that morning and lines will be open from 9am.

Mr Reddaway explains why the people of Rochdale should vote: “Rochdale has one of the highest levels of homelessness, unemployment and poor education/training. This project will help to clean up our streets, stop people from hanging around in parks drinking alcohol during the day, give hope and a future to the hopeless, build relationships with local businesses for more voluntary placements and, hopefully, lead to employment. We don’t have to accept the economic crisis, certainly not without a fight.”

Mr Reddaway concluded: “With lots of financial cuts on the horizon there is going to be even more need for our services over the next few years. Our very existence is to show people that they don’t have to accept homelessness, addiction and poverty as a way of life. There is an answer. Winning the People’s Millions is not about giving handouts. It’s about giving opportunities. Helping people to help themselves. Winning the People’s Millions means we can put the final stages of our work in play; increasing employability – increasing success.”
 
The telephone number to be vote for the Sanctuary Trust will be published on the 24 November here: www.peoplesmillions.org.uk/2010-finalists/granada/printing-a-brighter-community-future

A short video about this project and the number to use to vote will be shown on the ITV regional news between 6.00pm and 6.30pm on the 24 November.