Solihull Churches Action on Homelessness was set up as an ecumenical charity in the early 1990s to help young people who had nowhere to live.

Originally set up to provide temporary accommodation, SCAH now provides relief for homeless and insecurely housed people across the borough, including grants and starter packs for people starting new tenancies. It is regarded as a key partner by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, and is involved in the Change into Action project to direct funds to those most in need.

Earlier this year SCAH received the news that it has been awarded another generous £5,000 grant from the Heart of England Community Foundation’s ‘Solihull Wellbeing and Recovery Fund’ to assist it in 2022.

The money will be received in December and will help SCAH to get a good start to next year’s funding programme and allow them to carry out their day to day work.

Louise Cox, SCAH Trustee explains the grant “ will be used to fund the Starter Packs that we provide – made up of the small, essential household items needed to allow someone to set up a home. We are very grateful to the Foundation so we can carry on with our good works of preventing homelessness and helping those in need. We are starting off 2022 in a healthy financial state and will be able to satisfy any requests for help that fall within our remit.”

A ‘starter pack’, generally consists of new, value-for-money, non-food, household items such as bedding, crockery, cutlery, kitchen and cleaning items etc. The ‘starter pack’ helps those people of limited resources, those leaving homelessness, those leaving prison etc. to set up home in a new tenancy.

SCAH would welcome any further donations to support them in continuing the work they do. Details of how you can donate can be found on their website https://www.scah.org.uk/fundraising-and-donors