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Threat to our future
• THE Margins Homeless Project is based within Union Chapel, an award-winning performing arts and rehearsal venue off Upper Street. We have seen great success with Margins since it was set up in 1995. It has been a pivotal help to homeless and vulnerable people who have often slipped through the net of governmental health and social services and we have more attendees than ever before.
In the murkiness that is the current economic downturn we are persistently in high demand, currently with up to 150 guests (an approximate rise of 25 per cent since November last year) with figures growing weekly. When the winter night shelter was running, it was oversubscribed on many occasions.
The reality that anyone can end up in this situation is now all too familiar and homeless people are the ones suffering at the extremely gloomy end of the spectrum.
Unfortunately, Margins is struggling and the prospects are uncertain. As our future is in jeopardy, we are requesting funding and support from Islington’s locals and businesses. Being based within one of the best events venues in London, people assume that this sustains Margins. The truth is that Margins is becoming a separate entity as Union Chapel puts the focus on raising money for the much-needed restructure of its tower.
Homeless people are, and will continue to be, subject to increased hardship, with fewer services accessible and a looming future of much-needed help and support declining. The financial crisis is having profound effects on organisations who offer aid within the homeless sector and we do not want to be one of them.
Having been a beacon of light to our visitors, we want to continue the relationships and trust we have built and to keep offering the ongoing choices we do.
We concentrate on constructive training. The Sunday drop-in is manned by volunteers, of whom 75 per cent are ex-guests, helping build skills and responsibility.
Being based within the Union Chapel, we encourage volunteers by currently running the Oasis Café, which provides food to guests at events while providing valuable training and reintegration into an encouraging atmosphere and the community.
Margins has a successful art group, Ten Feet Away, run by Kim Noble, part of the well-known duo Noble and Silver. The arts group members are regulars who have come through Margins’ support and are now even selling their artwork. Recently, members have been learning how to professionally frame work. We have a poetry group which provides therapy as well as creativity.
Margins will be running a bicycle workshop in the next few months where guests can learn to disassemble and assemble bikes and repair them, not only improving dexterity and knowledge but providing an environmentally directed service for the community. The best way to donate is to go to www.marginsproject.org, to contact Ruth Stivey at fundraiser@unionchapel.org.uk or to call 020 7704 6636
RUTH STIVEY
Fundraising development officer, Margins Project
Union Chapel, N1
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