QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS
In January 2007, the charity decided to produce quarterly newsletters. We try to keep it as interesting and colourful as possible for you to enjoy reading.
Here are our newsletters so far or if you would prefer to receive an original copy in the post, join our mailing list.
If you would like to contribute to our newsletters please contact us.
Raffle Winners
Raffle winners…
Below are the winners from the Charity Raffle that openingdoors held over the weekend of the Half Marathon. We would like to say a big thank you to the organisations who kindly donated a prize and also to everybody who bought a ticket.
Two-course meal and a bottle of house wine for two at Ego – David Cumberland
Three-course lunch and a bottle of house wine for two at Spirit Restaurant – Ray Sutton
Family ticket to see The Nutcracker at Pyramid & Parr Hall – Maureen Brown
Cut & Blow at Callaghan Moran – Dave Orford
Pair of tickets to see Warrington Wolves in Super League XV – Louise Best
One-month family membership to Total Fitness – Steve
£20 Gift Voucher to Zeplin Hair Studio – Shirley Mather
£15 Gift Voucher to The Trafford Centre – Jennifer McCluskey
Signed Saints RLFC ball – Cath Collier
Game of bowling for six at LA Bowl – Louise Cornwell
Two passes to the ‘Goodison Experience’ stadium tour – Andrew Rowlands
Car wash kit from Halfords – Rick Kyme-Wright
PHOTOS
Half Marathon success
openingdoors was one of the Elite Charities for the first ever New Balance English Half Marathon, which took place in Warrington on Sunday, 4th October.
A huge thank you to everybody who ran on behalf of our Charity and for the money that they have raised. Every one of our runners did a fantastic job and their brilliant fundraising efforts will enable us to continue to provide essential services to homeless and vulnerable people.
If you are interested in running for openingdoors next year then we would love to hear from you!
Please go to the contact us page and fill in your details and we will add you onto our database for the race next year.
Homeless people can't take up classes
Change the ruling that bars homeless youngsters from receiving a free education package.
It is said that the homeless will not be able to take up the Governments offer of free tuition for fear of losing their housing benefits.
Free classes are being offered for people under the age of 25 to take their first qualifications up to the equivalent of two A-levels if they had previously dropped out of school. Yet people over the age of 19, risk losing housing benefit if they are studying for more than 16 hours per week due to a Government rule which was designed to stop university students signing up for housing benefits.
The Government are trying to help young people who have missed out on education, but they are failing those most in need - homeless and vulnerable people. Alot of our service users who are now living in their own accommodation and are reliant on housing benefits to survive. openingdoors likes to encourage services users to further their education, but this Government ruling means they are now resticted by regulations and their education options will have to stop.
We urge the Department for Education and Skills to take account of homeless young people's needs by reforming this benefit regulation and ensuring that all young people are given the opportunity to realise their potential and to further their education.
Corporate Sponsorship
MWH have chosen to support openingdoors. They will be helping the charity with fundraising and working closely with Service Users providing information and advice on CV writing and interview skills and techniques.
We would welcome more corporate sponsorships and support. If your company would like to work in partnership with openingdoors, please contact us immediately. There are many ways you and your employees can fundraise, it's motivating, team building and most importantly fun.
Or why not make a one off donation to one of our services.
Extra Support
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BNFL in Warrington have kindly donated £450.00 to purchase ten sessions for homeless and vulnerable people who are in need of 'Basic and Life Skills Approaches'. These are 3 hour sessions and cost the charity £45.00 per person.
The sessions include support and advice within: parenting skills; counselling; life skills; healthy eating; anger management; interview skill; cv writing; basic numeracy and literacy; job and course search and managing a tenancy.
Thank you to BNFL for their support.
If you would like to purchase a 'Basic & Life Skills Approach Session' or donate towards 'Therapeutic Approaches' or 'Creative Approaches', please contact us.
2006 Fun run
The openingdoors Fun Run took place on the 23rd September 2006 in Woolston Park. The “Warrington Guardian” covered the story, it was sponsored by “New Balance” and a warm up was done before the run by “Exclusive Fitness for Women.” The event raised £16,000.
The Warrington Guardian's charity of the year held a 2 mile Fun Run, in Woolston Linear Park, on Saturday and with more than 130 people taking part, it was a hugely successful day. The Fundraising Manager from the charity which helps homeless people said: “I have had really good feedback from people who attended, saying how organised the event was and how much they enjoyed the afternoon.” The Fun Run saw more serious runners as well as plenty of characters from Snow White to Ozzy Osbourne and some pirates 
too. The race included a 10 minute warm up led by the girls from Exclusive Fitness for Women based at Evans House and New Balance acted as sponsors and helped with the organisation. The day also featured a raffle with prizes including Mcfly tickets and a signed Warrington Wolves shirt from Simon Moran, vouchers for Johnsons Hair Salon and Callaghan’s Hair Salon, a £30 meal voucher from No15 Cairo Restaurant and Bar, B&Q goodies and tours around Manchester United. Coca Cola donated water while other food and refreshments were on hand and there was an appearance from Andy the DJ.
Taken from the Warrington Guardian September, 2006