Help us this Harvest Festival
Welcome to your August update from Catching Lives. It’s been another busy month and somehow it’s almost September. As we approach Harvest Festival season, we are ready to receive your generous donations and have published a list of all the things that are most useful to us at the moment. Harvest Festival is a vital time for Catching Lives, where your support and donations help us to serve breakfast, lunch and refreshments every day through the rest of the year.
Your support will help people experiencing homelessness to get warm and nutritious meals, as well as the essential items they need to take care of themselves while we support them to find a home.
Visit our new website for the list of donations and how to bring them into us. If your school, church, community group or business would like to arrange a Harvest Festival collection for us, please get in touch.
Tents on the ring road
We’ve had a lot of media interest about the tents pitched on the Canterbury ring road near our day centre, and you may have seen or heard our Chief Executive Tasmin Maitland being interviewed on Kent Online, KentLive or the BBC.
The tents are a sign of increasing homelessness and rough sleeping in Canterbury and the limited options the most vulnerable people are faced with. We are doing all we can to help these people, in partnership with Canterbury City Council’s rough sleeping team.
We do see a drop in donations over the Summer so if you'd like to help, please donate via our JustGiving page.
Meet the volunteers
Our Meet the volunteers feature celebrates the amazing people at the heart of Catching Lives.
Samala has been giving her time as a yoga instructor to provide a Friday afternoon activity for our clients since November 2022.
How did you hear about the volunteering opportunity?
Before Covid I had just moved to the area and Catching Lives was on my radar. Coincidently, another parent at my kids’ school started volunteering there too and eventually moved into the role of Volunteer Coordinator. They were already attending my yoga classes and I'd volunteered in the kitchen a few times already so when the previous yoga teacher needed to move on it was a natural progression!
Why choose Catching Lives?
I've worked with vulnerable adults in different ways over my career but at this point in my life I really wanted to just give back. From the moment I first walked through the door I felt a belonging that I believe resonates with most people who spend any time there. Being a support and a constant in someone's life is really important to me and aligns heavily with my purpose in life, to sustain community.
What are some joys you have experienced since starting with Catching Lives?
I have regular faces at my classes every week! It's so rewarding to see people quiet their minds and let go - the snores at the end of class are a huge compliment! The professional relationships and friendships I've made has been a sincere bonus.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?
Don't hesitate! I've loved every second. It's so rewarding to even work a shift in the kitchen - everyone is there to be helpful and of service which is refreshing compared to most 'workplaces'. It's a great opportunity to find perspective, and meet new and like minded people.
Outside of Catching Lives, how do you like to spend your time?
With my children and friends. Chasing outdoor adventures!
What is your line of work or previous line of work?
I teach yoga at various locations and host workshops and retreats in collaboration with the local community.
What are your passions and interests?
I'm always seeking out live music events or I’m indoors looking after many, many plant babies! I am most passionate about my ongoing yoga studies and empowering others to find their community too. Community is connection! I am interested in everything and everyone - forever curious.
Volunteering Stats for August
Denise's '7 for 70' continues
Fabulous fundraiser Denise Smith, who has been busy with her ‘7 for 70’ campaign to celebrate her 70th year, is hosting a garden party in Waltham on Saturday. Do come along and Denise would welcome donations of cakes. To follow the street pastor’s fundraising activities and to sponsor her, visit her JustGiving page.
Thank you!
Thank you to Harriet House B+B for your generous donation of food, to Lucy and Herne Bay in Bloom for hosting a visit for our clients. Thanks David for more great cookery classes, Andrew Smith and Ed Mulcahy for climbing Snowdon as part of Denise’s ‘7 for 70’ fundraising. Thank you to the Forest of Blean Rotary Club for your generous support, and to Cranbrook Symphony Orchestra for raising £2,506 from the summer concert at Hemsted Park.
As ever, thank you to everyone who has donated money, items or time. If you’d like to support our work, make a one-off or regular donation via our JustGiving page.
If you’d like more regular updates, please do keep an eye on our website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates until we write to you again in September.
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Donate to Catching Lives via JustGiving.
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