We are very happy to share that we recently made a donation to Community Led Initiatives (CLI) in Milton Keynes to support their recent Community Lunch event.
CLI is a Community Interest Company dedicated to supporting & empowering people who are facing issues including with the criminal justice system, homelessness, addiction, and mental health difficulties. In Milton Keynes specifically, the SAMAS project focusses on building a recovery community through mentoring, advice, advocacy, and practical support. The project aims to help people reconnect with their community, build positive relationships, and to help people to reach their full potential. Events like the Community Lunch are part of CLI’s ongoing work to build stronger and more connected communities.
Our contribution helped to fund a meal where staff members and clients were able to come together in the sun to enjoy pizzas, pastries, fresh fruit, and drinks. By being able to support this event, we were able to contribute to an afternoon where people could sit down, share some food, and have a chat – something a lot of us take for granted, but which can have a real positive impact for those experiencing loneliness or social isolation.
CLI’s 5 values are (1) people first, (2) community, (3) trust, (4) excellence, and (5) transformation. These are the values that the staff and volunteers’ jobs revolve around.
A colleague’s typical day might begin with supporting a client with a face-to-face PIP assessment at the local Jobcentre, followed by helping another client with a housing application and supporting them to gather all the relevant documents for this. Sometimes, all that’s achieved in a session is just a walk and a chat but, although this might not sound like much to some, it’s still very valuable to some of CLI’s clients. There is also a few hours spent facilitating a group in which clients come together to discuss their week and any issues they’re facing. In this group we often discuss various topics relating to recovery so people can share their knowledge and experiences with others in similar situations and learn from each other. Every day is different, but the aim is always the same – to empower individuals to make positive changes to their lives, and to encourage their independence and recovery.
To find out more about the brilliant work CLI is doing in Milton Keynes and beyond, visit: communityled.org.uk.