DIGGING DEEPER
All of us are 'feeling the pinch' in 2022: energy costs are rising; food and petrol prices are ever on the increase. One thing is sure, there is less money in our pocket. For that reason, it is difficult to ask you to 'dig deep' to increase your giving for the Bristol Methodist Centre (especially as I know our supporters gave generously during the Covid pandemic). However, we need to.
The work of the Centre is funded by donations and grant income. It requires approximately £175,000 per annum to operate the Bristol Methodist Centre, but we receive under £50,000 a year from individual and church donations. Grant funding can be hard to obtain, particularly when it is in order to sustain existing work. Until now we have benefitted from the proceeds of the sale of the Centre's former premises. Unfortunately, these are almost at an end and we no longer have this financial 'cushion' to rely on.
At the most recent Circuit Meeting, our Chair of Bristol District, Rev Jonathan Pye, laid out the serious situation facing the Centre, with funding currently in place for only the next year and half.
We are therefore reviewing how the Centre operates – ensuring it is cost efficient, seeking collaborative partners to help generate revenue and further improve our service, and applying for grant funding. However, even with these measures, for the work of the Centre to continue donations need to increase.
We are asking you to support the Centre today, either by donating a 'one-off' gift, or by committing to give regularly by Standing Order (forms for which can be downloaded from: http://www.methodist-centre.org.uk/support-us). If you are a taxpayer, we can increase your gift by claiming Gift Aid. If not, we also have a new JustGiving crowdfunding page: Bristol Methodist Centre.
Whichever way you give, it won't go to waste: we will provide support, shelter and food for those who are vulnerable and homeless in Bristol.
Please dig deep and donate today to:
Bristol Methodist Mission – Sort Code: 52-10-14 Account Number: 66750725
Thank you.
The Management Committee
Weekly Health Drop-in
We are currently working with Homeless Health to return and run their weekly drop in service where guests can see a nurse and also receive a number of vaccinations whilst also getting any needs addressed or information and advice.
Aircharge Table
Through our work with Next Meal we have been fortunate enough to be donated aircharge facilities which are now available for guest to charge their electrical devices - enabling them to stay connected.
Defibrillator
We have now purchased a Defibrillator. This is displayed within our busy day room and helps our staff, volunteers and guests know that life saving equipment is onsite if needed. As well as having numerous First Aid trained staff who are delighted that we now have access to this equipment should it be needed. Also we have registered this within the community so it can be used if needed in an emergency.
Click on the links below for our newsletters.
EASTER 2022 NEWSLETTER
CHRISTMAS 2021 NEWSLETTER
Summer 2020 Newsletter Outside and Inside
Easter 2019 Newsletter Outside and Inside
Christmas 2019 Newsletter Outside and Inside
Christmas 2018 Newsletter Outside and Inside
Harvest 2018 Newsletter Outside and Inside
Easter 2018 Newsletter Outside and Inside
Christmas 2017 newsletter outside and inside
Easter/Spring 2017 newsletter outside and inside
Christmas 2016 newsletter outside and inside
Harvest 2016 newsletter outside and inside
Easter 2016 newsletter outside and inside
Laundry Appeal - A note from the Manager.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been able to help without laundry appeal - at the BMC the laundry is one of the busiest parts of our daily working life. We offer laundry facilities to our guests helping to wash and dry their clothes when needed and getting them back to them within a couple of days.
We have three washing machines and dryers at the centre which run from when we open until closing time and Karen our support worker is constantly fighting to get this under control.
We put out an appeal recently in our newsletter about the possibility of getting another washer and dryer and we were blown away by the response. We now have funds to cover the purchase of the equipment and also for the small costs to renovate the room into a more usable space. So I would like to just say a huge thank you to you all, from myself, Karen and the guests for your dedication into helping make a small change that will have huge ramifications!
Ross Jeffery Centre Manager
Clothing store
Often people arrive at the BMC with only the clothes they are wearing. Because of this, we have a large and well-used clothing store. At the moment we especially need men's jeans and waterproof trainers/shoes (please no canvas trainers or shoes) and tracksuit bottoms. Also, we are in need of smaller sizes of men’s clothes such as small or medium.
When guests arrive with soiled clothes we aim to get them in the showers and provide them with a full set of new clothes, helping them leave the centre feeling that much more better about themselves. We also aim to wash and return their soiled clothes to them within the week for use again and this can start an ongoing process of clean clothes.