The VSF UK - Charity Accelerator
The Voluntary Solidarity Fund UK - Help Us Help Them.
Ben arrived in England in 2004. He juggled many different jobs: warehouse and factory work, painting and decorating. But he had issues with social integration, struggled with his relationship, and had significant health concerns, having developed osteoporosis on one of his feet.
And so, in 2019, Ben’s home became the streets of a polluted, cold, and rainy East London.
He struggled to access benefits: job centres and housing teams were complicated, worsened by the language barriers, and he didn’t have the resources to gain ‘settled status’ in the UK, nor to find himself a suitable job.
In an already increasingly unequal world, the COVID-19 crisis has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable in our society. Our purpose is to give these individuals a second lease on life, and the possibility to stand on their own two feet.
Our mission is to break the cycle of dependency for the most vulnerable in our society, by accelerating the impact of select UK charities that are focusing on different categories of the marginalised.
We have partnered with four established charities that support groups of people who have been excluded from society:
the Homeless;
Prisoners and their families, who suffer from the stigma of loved ones in jail;
Women involved in human trafficking and captured in sex slavery;
Mothers-to-be and New Mothers in crisis situations
These charities run programmes in local communities that aim to reinsert these individuals sustainably, effectively and productively into society, so that they can stand proudly on their own two feet with confidence, independence, and newly-acquired skills.
When Ben finally found Providence Row, he was given support by the Employability & Progression Programme Coordinator who performed an Information, Advice and Guidance assessment. This allowed him to start the 9 week 'Working-On-It' training course. Since, Ben has secured his ‘settled status’ and has gotten a new passport, both crucial in progressing his benefits claim and helping him open a bank account and progressing towards obtaining gainful employment*.
The Voluntary Solidarity Fund harnesses the skills, know-how and talent of our networks, and their years of experience in business, to support our partner charities accelerate their journeys and increase their impact. We believe that by helping individuals lead happier, healthier lives, we can break the vicious cycle of economic and social marginalisation within developed economies and contribute to the Common Good by building a fairer, more caring and more sustainable society.
Help us to Help them.
If you’re a UK taxpayer, your gift may be tax-deductible and eligible for Gift Aid. Please tick the GiftAid box on the giving page. 100% of donations are channeled directly to our partner charities, as the VSF has no overhead costs. Visit our webpage to find out more: https://thevsfinternational.org/
*Ben's name has been altered for confidentiality reasons.
Ben arrived in England in 2004. He juggled many different jobs: warehouse and factory work, painting and decorating. But he had issues with social integration, struggled with his relationship, and had significant health concerns, having developed osteoporosis on one of his feet.
And so, in 2019, Ben’s home became the streets of a polluted, cold, and rainy East London.
He struggled to access benefits: job centres and housing teams were complicated, worsened by the language barriers, and he didn’t have the resources to gain ‘settled status’ in the UK, nor to find himself a suitable job.
In an already increasingly unequal world, the COVID-19 crisis has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable in our society. Our purpose is to give these individuals a second lease on life, and the possibility to stand on their own two feet.
Our mission is to break the cycle of dependency for the most vulnerable in our society, by accelerating the impact of select UK charities that are focusing on different categories of the marginalised.
We have partnered with four established charities that support groups of people who have been excluded from society:
the Homeless;
Prisoners and their families, who suffer from the stigma of loved ones in jail;
Women involved in human trafficking and captured in sex slavery;
Mothers-to-be and New Mothers in crisis situations
These charities run programmes in local communities that aim to reinsert these individuals sustainably, effectively and productively into society, so that they can stand proudly on their own two feet with confidence, independence, and newly-acquired skills.
When Ben finally found Providence Row, he was given support by the Employability & Progression Programme Coordinator who performed an Information, Advice and Guidance assessment. This allowed him to start the 9 week 'Working-On-It' training course. Since, Ben has secured his ‘settled status’ and has gotten a new passport, both crucial in progressing his benefits claim and helping him open a bank account and progressing towards obtaining gainful employment*.
The Voluntary Solidarity Fund harnesses the skills, know-how and talent of our networks, and their years of experience in business, to support our partner charities accelerate their journeys and increase their impact. We believe that by helping individuals lead happier, healthier lives, we can break the vicious cycle of economic and social marginalisation within developed economies and contribute to the Common Good by building a fairer, more caring and more sustainable society.
Help us to Help them.
If you’re a UK taxpayer, your gift may be tax-deductible and eligible for Gift Aid. Please tick the GiftAid box on the giving page. 100% of donations are channeled directly to our partner charities, as the VSF has no overhead costs. Visit our webpage to find out more: https://thevsfinternational.org/
*Ben's name has been altered for confidentiality reasons.
Organizer
Letizia Vanni dArchirafi
Organizer
England
The Voluntary Solidarity Fund International
Beneficiary