Volunteers at Crosspoint in Westbury celebrated the second anniversary of the start of the local charity on Tuesday 19th November at its premises in the Market Place by cutting a birthday cake.
Since the drop-in sessions started there two years ago, there have been 1,081 visits to the centre for people wanting a listening ear, information, or signposting to other services or organisations.
The Market Place centre is also a distribution centre for the Warminster Food Bank, and volunteers are able to exchange food boxes for vouchers that are provided by local health and social care staff and other statutory services to local families in need.
Dai Davies, the chair of the charity said, “We have been delighted with the response to our drop-in sessions and have received some very positive comments from people who have visited us. We like to think that we can really make a difference to people who need help and support, and they can be assured that everything they tell us is kept in confidence.”
A year after the start of the charity, it was decided to expand its services by offering a job club every Friday morning at Crosspoint. People looking for a job can receive help on writing a CV, searching for jobs on the computers which are available at the centre, and submitting job applications. Volunteers were told that 229 visits had been made to the job club in the last year, and it is hoped that these numbers will increase as local people realise the expertise and facilities that are on offer.
A member of the team said, “It is extremely satisfying when one of our clients contacts us to tell us that they have been offered a job. Having employment is so important to a person’s sense of identity, confidence – and of course finances.”
It is hoped to be able to expand the services that Crosspoint provides over the coming year, such as offering money advice and low cost or free professional counselling, so that a wider number of local people may benefit from their services. For updates on this, visit Crosspoint’s website at www.crosspoint-westbury.co.uk.
The team would be delighted to hear from anyone who can offer support to the organisation through volunteering, fundraising or raising awareness.
