Chapelhouse £40K Charity Giveaway - The Results!

In the summer of 2023, the Chapelhouse Board of Directors set aside £40,000 with the express aim of supporting local charities. 

However, it was left open to our valued Chapelhouse customers to nominate the charities which they felt deserved the funds the most. By the time of the September closing date, we had received over 2,500 responses - far more than we could have ever imagined! 

It took our team several weeks to whittle down the charities to a shortlist of just eight, although we could have picked many more worthy causes! Each of the eight charities chosen received an equal share of £5,000 from the overall fund. 

We deliberately chose charities which operate in the same regions as Chapelhouse, as we felt they deserved recognition for their excellent and ongoing work they provide to our communities, especially at a time when funding can be very difficult to come by.

Chapelhouse Managing Director Phil Clay and Group Finance Director Nick Duffield visited the eight charities to show their appreciation in person, and to take a closer look at how they provide vital care and support for our communities. 

At Chapelhouse, we feel it's our duty to give back to our local community, who have supported us as a business for over 30 years. 

Phil said: “Chapelhouse holds a strong commitment to actively engage with and enhance the well-being of the communities in which we operate. Recognising the importance of giving back, we have established impactful partnerships with diverse charitable organisations and local initiatives that address a broad spectrum of community needs. 

“Our objective is to contribute positively by actively supporting these commendable causes, channeling resources and efforts into local charities. Through these endeavors, we aspire to create a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of individuals within our immediate communities”.

Willowbrook Hospice

Willowbrook is an independent hospice is a specialist palliative care unit in the Knowsley area of St Helens. Established in 1993, Willowbrook offers short term care for patients with complex needs on its specialist ward from the highly skilled team. 

Willowbrook instils a holistic approach to its care. It provides emotional spiritual and social care for their patients, along with caring for their physical needs. 

Not only does Willowbrook provide care for patients, but they also offer vital support for families at a time when it's needed most.

Teardrops

Teardrops is a community support centre located in the heart of St Helens town centre. 

Founded in 2018, Teardrops is a social hub where people can have access to shelter and warm meals throughout the day. It also operates as a distribution centre for those simply struggling to make ends meet, which provides vital supplies including food, clothing, blankets, toiletries, and sanitary products that have been kindly donated by members of the local community. 

Teardrops also runs a night café from their 5* hygiene rated kitchen on Duke Street for rough sleepers, sofa surfers or those living in hostels. 

Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Wigan and Leigh Hospice serves people across the Wigan Borough who have been diagnosed with incurable illnesses. Open 365 days a year, they have offered high quality palliative care for adults for over 40 years, and care for over 1,200 patients per year. 

With only a third of their funding coming from the government, the hospice relies on generous donations and fundraising via the local community. 

Although most of their care in provided in the patients' own homes, or in care homes, the Hindley Inpatient Unit admits around 250 patients per year. It's their mission to make inpatient care as much about living as possible.

Wigan Youth Zone

Established in 2013, Wigan Youth Zone is a state-of-the-art facility that offers the chance to learn invaluable life skills, make new friends and unlock potential for the young people of Wigan. 

For just a £5 annual membership and 50p entrance fee, those aged 8-19 have access to an indoor sports hall, music and recording studio, outdoor football pitches, arts and crafts room, hair and makeup salon, dance studio and full working kitchen. Youngsters also have access to hot meals from just £1. 

Although originally funded by private investment, the Youth Zone relies on charitable donations and patronages to continue providing a safe and fun space for young people.

The Brick

The Brick has been providing support in the Wigan community for over a century, under various guises. The original Queen's Hall Mission was set up in 1908 to tackle poverty and deprivation. 

Now with multiple sites in the town centre, The Brick food bank and community shop provides food, clothing, and supplies for those facing hardships and struggling with the cost of living in the Wigan area. 

The Brick Works is a support centre aims to improve people's life and socials skills and help with employability. Meanwhile, the Brick By Brick multibank distribution centre transports essential supplies right across the North West, which was set up in association with Comic Relief, Amazon, and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown!

Rainbow Hub

Located in Mawdesley in rural West Lancashire, the Rainbow Hub is a special school for children and young people with physical disabilities as a result of neurological conditions or brain injuries. 

Since opening in 2001, no other organisation in the region provides such a diverse range of services for children with brain injuries, which is aimed at improving physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of children with complex needs. 

The Rainbow Hub aims to help the kids achieve their full potential and gain greater independence through fun, and hands-on activities and therapies. The children's families also receive often much-needed support from the Hub team too.

Warrington Youth Zone

Warrington Youth Zone is part of the same network of Onside Youth Zones, which includes its sister site in Wigan, but still relies on charitable donations towards its funding. 

The Warrington Youth Zone opened in 2022 and provides many of the same activities and state-of-the-art facilities, including sports hall, gym, kitchen, music and recording studio, and arts and crafts room for the £5 membership and 50p entrance fee. 

A unique feature of the Warrington YZ is its full-size boxing ring and martials arts room, which is the home of former British and Commonwealth Middleweight champion Martin Murray's boxing academy! 

A dedicated radio and podcasting studio is also currently in the works, in part thanks to donations for local businesses.

Walton Lea Partnership

Walton Lea Partnership provides work and experience for adults with learning disabilities in a picturesque Victorian walled garden, located by Walton Hall on the outskirts of Warrington. 

The enthusiastic learners work with staff members to tend to the gardens, participate in horticultural activities, and help out in the quaint shop and tearoom. 

The team of volunteers also assist with the upcycling of donated home and garden furniture, and bikes for all ages - all of which are available for a flat fee of just £5! 

The knowledge and skills acquired by the learners go a long way to building their confidence and experience in the workplace, with the long-term goal of them making the successful leap into to full or part-time employment.