A Nomad Trust community project that supports armed forces veterans and raises funds for Lincoln’s homeless shelter has won over the judges at this year’s Lincolnshire Media Business Awards.

Staff and volunteers from YMCA Lincolnshire and the Nomad Trust joined a variety of organisations from across the county for the ceremony in the EPIC Centre on the Lincolnshire Showground on Tuesday 20^th October.

The charity, shortlisted in the Heart of the Community category for its Nomad Furniture Project, was awarded the winner’s trophy amid cheers of support from other guests and fellow nominees.

The project is run from the Nomad Trust shop on Sincil Street and the Furniture Store on Monks Way Industrial Estate in Lincoln, and offers volunteering opportunities to veterans who live in Nomad Trust accommodation.

Activities ranging from house clearing and furniture restoration to maintaining the warehouse and arranging deliveries provide opportunities for the volunteers to gain valuable experience and transferable skills.

Money raised through the Nomad Furniture Project goes towards the running costs of the Nomad Night Shelter, which houses the city’s vulnerable homeless people each night.

YMCA Lincolnshire and Nomad Trust Retail Manager Lisa Harrison said: “We were overwhelmed to be shortlisted in the Heart of the Community category, but to come away with the winning trophy is an honour.

“The project is so much more than just a charity shop – we do accept unwanted items from the public and re-sell them, but it is the effect the project has on the people involved that is truly beneficial.”

Old furniture which would have otherwise been destined for landfill is refurbished by volunteers and sold on, significantly reducing the amount of household goods going to the tip and creating a profit for the charity.

Homeless people leaving the Nomad Trust hostels are offered a basic furniture pack at no or minimal cost, which ensures that they have something to sleep on, something to eat at and something to relax in.

Lisa added: “The project gives people the chance to get involved in a meaningful activity which we hope will help them to re-engage with the community they live in and start looking for paid work. The funds raised through the project are reinvested back into the night shelter, so we can continue to support vulnerable homeless people.”

The panel of judges from Lincolnshire Media Business Awards praised the project for providing social value and opportunity to an often hard-to-reach community.

The judges noted that the scheme provides support, learning and employability pathways, as well as supporting the green agenda around reducing waste to landfills whilst being self-sustaining.

Malcolm Barham, Chief Executive of YMCA Lincolnshire, said: “It’s great to see the Nomad Furniture Project receiving recognition for its ongoing community work.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the project expand over the next five years in line with our plans for five additional stores and a bigger distribution network to create even more employment and volunteer opportunities.”

The project currently employs five staff and has over 25 volunteers. Several former volunteers have gone on to gain employment as a result of the experience they gained at the Nomad Furniture Project.

For more information about YMCA Lincolnshire and the Nomad Trust please visit www.lincsymca.co.uk and http://nomadtrust.org.uk

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• Lincoln YMCA was founded in 1869 and became YMCA Lincolnshire in 2005 when it merged with the Stamford branch.
• YMCA Lincolnshire is based on St Rumbold’s Street in Lincoln.
• YMCA Lincolnshire merged with The Nomad Trust in 2013 to help people secure and sustain tenancies in the city as well as providing ongoing support once housed.
• The Nomad Trust is a Christian-based registered charity which provides welfare services in the city of Lincoln for those who are homeless or otherwise in need.
• YMCA Lincolnshire is one of the biggest providers of supported accommodation in Lincoln, and the only provider of night shelter in the county.
• In 2014 YMCA Lincolnshire provided 374 people with accommodation and is currently housing 109 residents aged from 18 to 66.
• YMCA Lincolnshire provides alternative education provision for vulnerable children, social housing, work-related training and international charity work around Europe.
• For more information about YMCA Lincolnshire, please visit http://www.lincsymca.co.uk, the YMCA Lincolnshire Facebook page or follow @LincsYMCA on Twitter.
For more information about this news release please contact:
Kerri Saxby
Shooting Star
01522 528540
kerri@weareshootingstar.co.uk
www.weareshootingstar.co.uk
[YMCA12LMBAwards]