St Mungo's Clients Lay Foundations for Success

10 October 2008

The first graduates of St Mungo's Bricks and Mortar training programme celebrated their success this week at a presentation ceremony in Camden.

Awards for completing the course, which provides St Mungo's clients with skills in bricklaying, plastering and personal development, were handed out to five St Mungo's clients during an open afternoon at our Endsleigh Gardens hostel on Wednesday the 8th October 2008.

Attendees at the event included councillors, community groups, Supporters of St Mungo's, construction industry professional and funders of Bricks & Mortar. Councillor Penny Abraham of Bloomsbury Ward presented the trainees with a certificate and gift of an engraved trowel. All of the trainees took the opportunity to mention how positive they had found the course, and several commended those St Mungo's staff who had made a difference to their lives.

Charles Fraser, CEO of St Mungo's said:

"We need to lower the scandal of an unemployment rate which runs at 96% amongst homeless people. St Mungo's play an important role helping clients gain the skills they need to move into sustainable employment. We run pioneering programmes linking activities, vocational training and jobsearch. And we are delighted to be holding this Awards Day to celebrate and reward the success of our first graduates."

The Bricks and Mortar training is designed to inspire and motivate, whilst also developing our clients' confidence and professional skills so that they can break the cycle and move away from homelessness.

St Mungo's run three courses a year working with 12 clients at a time. Two to three clients are expected to complete the course and of these at least five each year go on to gain paid employment.

Bricks and Mortar is one of a host of initiatives run by St Mungo's that aim to reverse the scandal of an unemployment rate, which runs at 96% amongst homeless people.

Notes:

  • St Mungo's is London's largest charity for homeless people. We work 365 days a year to provide emergency help, and run over 100 projects and services that house and support homeless people's recovery and prevent rough sleeping. Every year we help thousands of people to make permanent life changes.

Media Contact: Kimberley Rowley or Lucy Whitford on 0208 762 5570

E-mail lucy.whitford@mungos.org. Out of Hours 07768777878

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