There’s been a good news boost for Leicestershire charity SoundCafe as Paragon Bank PLC have made a very generous donation of £10,000 to further support their work.
SoundCafe Leicester provide a safe creative space for adults who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, vulnerable, or socially isolated to explore, grow and express their artistic talents. Guests listen to and perform music, they sing together, are encouraged to write poetry, prose and undertake arts and crafts. Guests of SoundCafe report that by having meaningful daytime activity they feel able to cope better day to day. This is backed up by surveys and research.
The charity relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and thanks to the generosity of its supporters has helped over 280 vulnerable and homeless adults, their guests, who have attended its café sessions since it started in October 2014.
The donation will also benefit the SoundCafe choir who rehearse each week in the Cathedral. Research has shown that if people sing together then their feelings of well-being and self-esteem improve.
Due to Covid-19 SoundCafe are unable at the present time to provide the usual invaluable daytime activities and opportunity for support to their guests. The Paragon Bank donation will enable the charity to plan new ways of delivery for the future as they emerge from the pandemic. Creativity and adaptability are at the heart of SoundCafe and this will be critical as we all find new ways to offer support whilst adhering to social distancing requirements.
Roz Burch, Chair of Trustees said, “We are delighted to have received this donation at a time of greatest need. Many of our guests have found the support from SoundCafe has meant they can make real changes in their lives; we are all facing unprecedented change in our lives and we must be ready to face new challenges and ways of delivering our service. All this will only be possible with the help and financial support that significant donations like Paragon Bank make.”
Find our more about SoundCafe’s work on their website soundcafe.org.uk.