The main work of Scratch is to provide housing packs to support families and people who are suffering the effects of poverty due to various issues including forced relocation due to domestic violence and other issues. They do this by providing furniture and household equipment including white goods in combination with various local organisations.
As an offshoot from this Scratch are able to offer positions to asylum seekers and other refugees who are otherwise unable to work while their applications are being considered. This allows those people to bolster their future employment options and also helps them find meaningful activity when they would otherwise be isolated. This has a beneficial effect on their mental health.
As an aside they also run a Christmas toy appeal enabling local families to give gifts to their children when they would otherwise be unable to afford to do so. Last year nearly 3000 children were helped in this way. Donations of toys are received all year round with extra volunteers needed in the months leading up to Christmas to help package and distribute the gifts to families.
It is hoped that SPA can assist with both financial help by way of our fundraising events and also by asking our members to provide items either for the housing packs or toys and games to be donated at Christmas.
Storage of items can also be an issue so it is possible that our members can assist with logistics.
We will be publicising Scratch at our Friday Frolics and at other events during the year. We would be interested to hear from our members with any ideas they may have around supporting this worthy and local cause.
