Elise
Her Story
Elise whilst living at the Lucas Project overcame many hurdles after the devastating loss of both her parents who died within 18 months of each…
The Mayor of Bolton Cllr Linda Thomas was in attendance with consort. Also present was Sophie Willan (BAFTA award winning actor/writer from Bolton) an ex service user of Backup services when she was homeless in 2003.
The Peaky Blinders theme brought guests in dressed as characters from the popular TV show as well as Charleston flappers and Gatsby lookalikes, including those worn by the young students from the Dawn Dawson Dance Academy who treated the guests to performances styled on that whole era. 200 people attended and danced the night away to the fantastic vintage band the Swing Commanders.
The raffles, auction, games and tickets sales netted a whopping £10k for the charity. Headline sponsors were Bolton at Home. Bolton FM, another not for profit partner, were there with the disco and technical support. Those who attended included Boo Coaching and Consulting, The University of Bolton, Cura, Irwell Valley Housing, Stonebrook mortgages, Socially Homes and many more.
Backup celebrated its 30th anniversary recently and look forward to more fundraising events in the year including a Golf Day, Ladies Lunch and a Sleep Out. The CEO Maura Jackson told guests stories of young people who have benefitted from the services in the past and what positive impact it had.
The charity has an 85% success rate and those who have moved on and built careers include a Police Officer, funeral director, biochemist, prison officer, head teacher, midwives, nurses, support workers, CAB advisor, musicians, chefs, solicitors and many more.
Maura told us, not one person who has used or is using the Backup service is there through choice. No-one chooses to be homeless. The young people experience things you wouldn’t wish on anyone and it is our aim that young people are not homeless, but for those that are, it’s a one off experience. Backup equips them with skills, knowledge and resources to live independently and safely with a qualified, experienced and committed staff team.
The money raised provides much needed items for young people who are experiencing homeless in Bolton and are living within Backup temporary supported housing services.
BACKUP provide multiple services across Bolton to young people aged 16-25 years who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Read here about all the supported accommodation which includes emergency housing, temporary accommodation, short and medium stay supported housing. Also the non accommodation based support work that focusses on mental health, employment support and much more.
Young people can live in more than one Backup service as they make progress and develop more independence prior to moving on completely. The different services are designed to meet various levels and ranges of needs.
