Natalie begins to make an impact at Sussex charity

Impact Initiatives is a Sussex charity that has been running for more than 35 years. It provides a range of high quality, flexible and personal support services for local people of all ages.

Many of its services are delivered by a dedicated team of 120 volunteers whose ages range from 16 to 88.

As part of EMC’s support for local charities, our Hove office manager, Natalie Egglestone (left) is now among those who are helping Sussex people to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

She recently volunteered her services to work half a day a week at the charity’s Stopover service which provides young homeless women with a safe place to live along with the help and support they need to be able to move on to independent living.

She said: “I will be working with vulnerable young women between the ages of 16 and 25 who need supported housing. As a volunteer I hope to build a positive rapport with the women and through that help them to develop and become more independent

“Stopover has three houses with a single team who work across all three.  For the most part, I will be working at Stopover 1 where there is 24-hour support and advice for the young women.

“The Stopover service aims to prepare the young women for independent living and employment. They receive life skills training throughout their stay which includes support with mental health issues, managing drug and alcohol use and budgeting.”

Nik Askaroff, EMC’s CEO, said: “Nat was very keen to get involved with the charity, so we were more than happy to let her have a half-day’s paid leave every week so that she could help to make a difference to local people’s lives.”

Impact Initiatives is always on the lookout for new volunteers who can spare anything from two to 20 hours a week. Roles range from providing counselling to young people or gardening in the supported housing to serving meals in the cafes and helping older people to and from the charity’s centres.

Whatever the role, full initial and ongoing training is given and all volunteers have the support of the team of permanent staff. All out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed.

Natalie added: “The work is incredibly varied and rewarding. The charity supports children, families, young people, adults and older people. It fills a need where gaps in existing services have been identified and helps Sussex people to improve their quality of life and feel part of a wider community.  I would recommend it to anyone who has a small amount of time to spare or who, like me, has understanding employers prepared to give them time off to help.”

More information about Impact Initiatives can be found at http://impact-initiatives.org.uk/