Staicy's Funding Letter
My name is Staicy Kelleher and I have volunteered to help at the Guildford Action Drop-in Centre to try and get donations and funding to revamp garden areas and help disadvantaged people that use the Community Centre.
A wide range of people, from all different walks of life, ages and cultures, use the G.A.C.C. as it can provide shelter on a daily basis for many people - some who are unfortunately homeless, living in hostels or temporary accommodation. Some are mentally disturbed and socially excluded. Alix, the Manager told me that more than 400 individuals use the Centre ever year and all these people have one thing in common – they like to come here.The Community Centre is very important to me and all the people that use it on a day-to-day basis Mon-Fri. Some people use the G.A.C.C everyday and have their meals here as they are un-capable of cooking for themselves or if they did not eat here they would not bother eating.There are homeless people that come in here and the centre provides washing facilities and toiletries so that they can have a hot shower.
If the centre were not here then these people would not be able to stay clean. It is important that the centre remains here, as it would affect so many different people’s lives if it were to be closed. I know it would turn my life upside down as I use the centre on a regular basis and its good for me cause I get a chance to socialise, help people and talk to certain staff members about my life which really helps and supports me. To know that there are people there that care about others and me makes a big difference.
Everyone that uses the centre have many positive things to say.I have been coming here for nearly 4 years and I have seen how many different people have received help and support and advice in many different ways.The G.A.C.C also has a doctor and a nurse and the doctor attends every Thursday and if the centre were not here many people would not be able to come in and see the doctor. Some people don’t register with doctors, as they do not intend on staying in the same place for very long i.e. – Homeless people.
The G.A.C.C also provides second hand clothing for people who cannot afford to buy new clothes (or even any clothes at all) and they rely on this place so much. They also hand out bedding, towels, curtains etc for people moving into temporary or permanent accommodation. If it were not for people donating things and staff that work at the centre, I would not have any bed sheets or towels, as I would not have been able to afford them.
The G.A.C.C staff help people like me to get back into further and higher education and move on into permanent accommodation. It helps people who are homeless find temporary accommodation. It provides activities to occupy people who have nothing much to do throughout the day for whatever reason that may be. It provides support and advice for everyone that uses it. There are even days out to bring happiness into peoples lives who are feeling depressed or lonely. These are just some of the things that G.A.C.C provide and do for people. The future worries me because G.A.C.C is needed and wanted by so many people and if it were not here it would have an affect on so many different people. The future of the Community Centre depends on Future Funding, Staff, volunteers and donations.
Now that I have volunteered. I will do everything that I can to help people and I will try my very best to get donations and funding for different projects that are in mind.
At the beginning of next year I will be in charge of writing letters to different companies asking for help to revamp the garden areas. Also, I will be organising with the help of others, a fundraising day involving a jumble sale, cake sale etc. It is to raise money for the different projects.
I would ask you very kindly to read my letter carefully and put yourself in my shoes or homeless persons shoes - remembering that they could be homeless through no fault of their own and just really to realise how important the G.A.C.C is to so many people.
Thank – You
Yours Sincerely
Staicy Kelleher
