When Erica Myers (HR Operations Manager at PA Housing) was having her regular check-in call with Jules Dunning, their Jobtrain Continuous Improvement Consultant, Erica was beyond excited to share the news about PA Housing’s fundraising efforts in Leicester.
Erica, alongside a group of her PA Housing colleagues, was giving up her bed that night to support local homeless people by sleeping out on the concrete in Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium.
They knew that it wouldn’t replicate what it really feels like to sleep rough but that their efforts to give up their creature comforts for one night could make a real difference locally.
"Working within a non-profit organisation that provides social housing for thousands of people, many of whom need additional support, we understand the importance of having a safe, warm environment that you can call home. For many people sleeping rough on the streets, this is an essential comfort that they do not have. So, taking part in YMCA Leicestershire’s first Sleep Easy event in support of local homeless people is another way of upholding our purpose as a housing provider, helping vulnerable people to find comfort and safety in the best way we can.
That’s why we’re so grateful to Jobtrain for their generous donation to this cause, not only as a symbol of our great working relationship and alignment of values, but because this money will go to help some of the people in our society who need it most."
Erica Myers, HR Operations Manager at PA Housing
We are a business that is committed to working with (and supporting) local businesses and local people.
PA Housing’s fundraising to support YMCA Leicestershire rings true to all our hearts here at Jobtrain. Through our Jobtrain Foundation, we’ve worked for many years fundraising and supporting the Homeless Project Manchester.
From Christmas quiz downloads to many nights delivering food to the homeless in Manchester city centre – it’s a topic that really resonates with us all.
That’s why we’re championing and supporting PA Housing’s efforts in supporting the homeless in their local area through YMCA’s Sleep Easy campaign.
All funds raised by PA Housing will go to support YMCA Leicestershire, which is home to 104 young people aged 16-25 who have experienced trauma, abuse, bereavement, poor mental health, or family breakdown. The young people are supported to build resilience and develop skills to move on independently.
YMCA also help street homeless adults by providing breakfast, food parcels, and one-to-one advice to address issues of homelessness and find a place to live.
Since starting in 2010, YMCA Sleep Easy has seen over 7,000 fundraisers sleep rough across England and Wales to raise over £1.5 million for local YMCA services that help young people to rebuild their lives. The event at Leicester City Football Club is a first for Leicester too so they wanted to make it a night to remember!
PA Housing is a registered provider of social housing. It provides more than 23,000 homes across the Midlands, London, and the South East with a range of housing solutions from affordable rent, independent living, and shared ownership for those in need.
Their values, which underpin everything they do, demonstrate their passion for their latest fundraising initiative:
At Jobtrain, we pride ourselves on our business – but it’s not just about providing recruitment technology, it’s about people. As a team, we all decided we wanted to do more to help those around us in society, so that’s why we commit 1% of our annual licence fees to the Jobtrain Foundation. Since we began contributing to our Foundation in late in 2017, we have committed over £100,000.
The causes supported by the Foundation are determined by our own employees and clients.
The Homeless Project Manchester is an entirely volunteer-led organisation that delivers meals, clothing, and essential items to the homeless in Manchester. It not only supports the homeless, but families too who have found themselves with no support and may have had to leave an abusive environment. The Homeless Project Manchester relies entirely on contributions from local businesses and the public.
We are actively involved in this group, not just providing regular funding but also helping to make and distribute hot meals and essential items. We also fund the Homeless Project with secure storage and a customised and branded van to store and distribute items to those most in need.
“Our Jobtrain Foundation has been running for many years now and it has really gained momentum. We’re really proud to work so closely with the brilliant volunteers at Homeless Project Manchester – we have been able to buy them a transit van, provide lock-up facilities, monthly funding, and we also cook and distribute hot food and survival bags on a regular basis.
We are also in-tune, aligned, and supportive of PA Housing’s Big Sleep Out – a true partnership and meeting of hearts and minds! Good luck from all of us at Jobtrain!”
Alison Keeling, Co-founder and Director of Jobtrain