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As we are heading into 2012, we would like take the opportunity to say a big ‘thank-you’ to everyone who has been supporting us, particularly over a very busy Christmas period.
We are very grateful, as always, for all the donations that have been given, and for the many offers of help over the festive season. Sadly, we were not able to take everyone up on these offers, simply due to the volume of enquiries. It is truly encouraging to note that one of our biggest challenges recently has been trying to manage an overload of goodwill!
Our friends at Shrewsbury United Reformed Church are holding a sale of good quality, second hand clothing, etc, with refreshments, between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 3 December.
This will take place in St. Nicholas Hall, behind the Church on the English Bridge, Shrewsbury.
Car parking at the Church is available for those attending the event.
Shrewsbury URC have been very supportive of our work, and hosted a sale on our behalf in August of this year; we are happy to be able to support them in this and hope that as many as possible can attend.
 Shrewsbury Ark Manager Tim Compton receiving a cheque from Maree Jacobs on behalf of Belle Vue Methodist Church Following a talk to the Thursday Afternoon Fellowship at Belle Vue Methodist Church, we were very pleased to be presented with a cheque for £1,070 on behalf of the Church Society Fund.
We at the Ark are very grateful for the support of those at the Church in helping us to continue our work.
 We are very glad to have welcomed Amy Tonks to the Ark as Deputy Manager. She can be contacted on 01743 363305 or at amy@shrewsburyark.co.uk.
We wish Amy all the best in her new role and look forward to seeing the service develop.
We are very grateful to the members of the Darwin Rotary Club, Shrewsbury for their generous donation of £1,500.
On behalf of the Trustees, staff and volunteers, as well as the clients, I would like to thank all those involved, not just for the financial aid, but for the support and good wishes.
Tim Compton
Amy Tonks will be taking up the post of Deputy Manager on 31 October. We look forward to having her as part of the team.
The Shrewsbury Ark
This morning sees us doing our last breakfast of the summer as we prepare to hand that particular baton back to the Sisters at St Winifride’s convent. It has been a popular service and we have done an average of 14 breakfasts each morning throughout July and August, in addition to meals and snacks throughout the day.
We have seen an average of 22 visitors each day over recent months with over 180 individuals using the Ark in the last 12 months, and some 90 in the last 3 months alone.
The last few months have seen some successes in the lives of some of our clients, with some moving into secure accommodation after periods spent on the streets or on people’s floors and sofas, and many others seeing progress in other areas of their lives. We are only too aware though, that for many in our community, even the routine of daily life can be a daunting prospect, and the need for services such as the Ark is only likely to grow.
We are pleased to be able to report that the support of the St Chad’s campaign has enabled us to finally make preparations for the improvements to the building. Planning permission has been granted, tenders received, and we hope to see the actual work beginning in September.
Shropshire Council are continuing to find us an essential service as we look to serve the interests of the wider community as well as individuals, and our joint working with other agencies, such as Shropshire Housing Alliance and Shrewsbury Homes for All is enabling us to ensure our clients have quick and easy access to the services that they require, and we are constantly looking to improve our ties with all other services in the community.
Funding in these leaner times continues to be a challenge, and we are very grateful for the support from the Church community in Shrewsbury. We are also pleased to have received £500 from the Shawbury and Mid Shropshire Rotary Club, £550 from the John Wellings Memorial Trophy football tournament, and today, £150 from the Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association.
Tim Compton
Manager
 The Ark, on Castle Foregate just opposite the railway station, is a drop in centre providing food, showers and laundry facilities to the town’s most vulnerable residents, as well as a warm welcome, support and advice. The money was raised at the STCRA’s popular annual Garden Party, which this year was held in the Town Walls garden of Doug and Lynn Allan’s home and attended by around 100 residents and their guests.
Tim Compton, Manager at Shrewsbury Ark, pictured here receiving the cheque from Doug Allan, explained what the donation would be used for.
”During the summer we provided a cooked breakfast 5 days a week to 20 or so clients a day, as well as more regular meals and snacks throughout the day, so this donation will help carry this service on. We are delighted that STCRA chose us as the organisation to benefit from the proceeds of their Garden Party this year.”
The aim of STCRA is to promote a thriving town centre, where residents enjoy living, businesses prosper and visitors are made to feel welcome. Membership is open to anyone living ‘within the Loop’ – see http://www.stcra.org.uk for more details and to download a Membership Application Form.
BBC Local News
Five people stayed on the floor of a centre set up to help vulnerable people in Shropshire after temperatures dipped below freezing.
Tim Compton, manager of Shrewsbury Ark, said he took the decision to keep the venue open after discussions with trustees and the council.
 Shrewsbury Handbells is a group of twelve enthusiasts who perform in and around Shropshire, UK. The aims of the group are to entertain and to enjoy playing handbells.
The most recent charities that we have supported are the Shrewsbury Music Therapy Unit Trust Fund, the Pontesbury Muheza Link, and Sightsavers International.
Last year we supported the Shrewsbury Ark, a drop-in centre for the homeless, and on 20 October 2010 we presented them with a cheque for £400.
During 2010-11 we are supporting the Diamond Appeal of AgeUK to raise money for day centres for those suffering from dementia and their carers in the Shrewsbury and Telford area. The charity which we are supporting during 2011-2 is the West Shropshire Talking Newspaper.
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We aim to create: * A refuge for those in need or distress
* A haven of friendship, warmth, and welcome in which people are listened to
* A source of immediate on the spot advice and support designed to contribute to the relief of need and distress
* A space in which other agencies can offer expert professional advice, help and support
* A limited menu of affordable food and drink for those in need
* An environment and opportunities which build self-confidence and self-respect enabling all to develop their potential.
The Shrewsbury Ark is operated by the Shrewsbury Christian Association (SCCA) Registered Charity Number 501881.
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