Following a business-wide vote by staff, Citi Belfast has chosen Welcome Organisation as their Charity of the Year to help to support those experiencing homelessness in Belfast.
Employees at Citi, Northern Ireland’s largest financial services employer, will support the Welcome Organisation’s Mobile Health Unit and organise a wide range of events over the coming months to support the charity both at a practical and financial level to help it deliver healthcare to people affected by homelessness ‘where they are at.’
On an annual basis, Welcome Organisation provides a range of potentially life-saving services to around 1,400 people affected by homelessness across greater Belfast. The charity focuses on three vital core services, which it operates across the city including a drop-in Centre, open 365 days a year, offering people affected by homelessness free access to hot meals, showers, health checks, internet, laundry services and support.
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They also run a Street Outreach team of volunteers, trained to provide potentially lifesaving care and support for people on the street, while their Crisis Accommodation and Floating Support services deliver critical services to those with multiple and complex needs. The organisation will now receive dedicated support from the 3200+ Belfast employees over the next year, taking the form of fundraising activities, events and volunteering.
Welcome Organisation’s new Mobile Health Unit – a first of its kind in Northern Ireland – enhances the charity’s existing street outreach provision to improve the accessibility and quality of interventions for the hidden homeless and those who sleep rough – ultimately saving lives. The unit includes a clinical area featuring a treatment bed, fridge for transporting refrigerated pharmaceuticals including vaccines, lockable storage cupboards, a water system, a bench for staff to prepare their treatment, and a CCTV camera safety to view into the waiting area and outside the van.
Speaking of the partnership, Lauren McCoy, Citi Belfast CSR Committee Chair, said: “At Citi, we pride ourselves in doing all we can to help support our community, partnering with organisations that reflect our company ethos and values and make a real difference to our communities. To that end, we are delighted to partner with Welcome Organisation, who offer a range of support services, practical advice, and immediate assistance to people impacted by homelessness across Northern Ireland. Initial financial support will help fund the crucial services provided by the mobile health unit. And we will also partner with them to create a full calendar of volunteer and fundraising opportunities, where our staff can get involved to help support the charity throughout the year ahead.”
Kieran Hughes, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Welcome Organisation added: “We are absolutely delighted that Citi Belfast have selected Welcome Organisation as their Charity of the Year for 2022. We look forward to working with the whole staff team in what promises to be an exciting year of fundraising and volunteering. The support of Citi Belfast will be crucial in ensuring our Mobile Health Unit can continue to provide potentially life-saving healthcare to homeless people ‘where they are at’. Together we can make a real and positive impact on our work and in turn on the lives of homeless people across Northern Ireland.”
More information on The Welcome Organisation can be found on their website: https://www.homelessbelfast.org.
Source: Written from press release.
