How we help

... Skinnergate residents

Since its inception, this project has had numerous residents volunteering for it in various capacities to aid its work. Here are some brief details of those people:

‘D¹’ has assisted with the project since before it began officially. A number of pick ups were undertaken in the three months prior to the project opening and he was happy to assist Skinnergate Management from the outset. He has become a valuable member of the team with his vast range of experience together with excellent local knowledge. Having gone through the New Deal scheme, he was employed by the project and has worked his way up to be the Assistant Manager.

‘A¹’ volunteered with us on a full time basis, and at his own instigation, went through the New Deal scheme. He worked as a second driver as well as assisting in all aspects of the project. He built up his confidence levels in dealing with people by speaking to donors on pick ups and dealing with customers in the warehouse. Having completed the New Deal time period, and also having moved into his own flat, he opted to continue working with us as a volunteer. Since then, the project has been able to employ him full time as the main driver.

‘A²’ worked as a full time member of staff assisting on the van and also had responsibility for the suites section in the warehouse. He left us for full time work but was very grateful for the focus this project gave him. He has since returned to us having gone through a difficult time, and is grateful to the practical help he has received from the project, the friendships developed, and the ability to be able to give something back. Since December 2007, he has now become the 4th full time member of staff for the project and is loving assisting in all areas of the work.

‘J¹’ helps us out 2 days a week as a delivery/collection assistant. A real change has been identified in him for the better—this is reflected in his mannerisms and general attitude around Skinnergate. He cannot wait to come to work and is excitable for all of the preceding evening! He has recently gone through a difficult time, but is continuing to receive practical support from the project in conjunction with his key worker.

‘J²’ worked 2 days a week as a delivery/collection assistant and thoroughly enjoyed assisting us in this way. He has now left us having taking up full time paid work elsewhere.

‘J³’ worked with us primarily to assist in the cleaning of furniture on display in the warehouse. His one day a week placement has now finished and he has since left the Resettlement Unit.

‘D²’ helped us out 1 day a week as a delivery/collection assistant and with general warehouse duties. He enjoyed all aspects of the work but has left us with a desire to try his hand at all manner of things. The door has been left open on both sides for a return in the future.

‘I¹’ worked with us for a very brief time. Although he would have been a good worker, he chose to follow his own path and is no longer a resident.

‘J⁴’ helped us out on a couple of occasions as he was able. He has now moved out of Skinnergate but has still offered his services if we require.

Whilst this project has to be self funding, it is still within the ethos of The Salvation Army to help others. As such, this project has been privileged to directly assist hundreds of social clients since it started. The majority of these have come to us with their social workers and have all been given the opportunity to choose the items they need. Discounts have been applied to the clients according to their situations.

We have helped people represented by the following organizations:

Perth & Kinross Council (including Perth, Blairgowrie & Crieff offices); Perthshire Womens Aid; Careers Scotland Key Worker Service; Local Mental Health Team; Hillcrest Housing Association; Perthshire Housing Association; Fairfield Housing Association; Churches Action for The Homeless; Criminal Justice; Ark Housing Association (Perth & Blairgowrie); Perth Salvation Army; Blairgowrie Salvation Army.

On top of these organisations, others have come to us themselves with details of their benefits and/or Community Care Grant allocation letters. Discounts have been applied as appropriate.

In order to help us cover the cost of these discounts/giveaways, many customers have purchased items from us at a normal price. Having said that, our top prices are around £200 which includes three piece suites. We have had many customers happy to pay these prices, who have also gone on to not only return for more, but to recommend us to other people. Some may say that our prices are too low, but it is better to sell something and keep the stock rotating, than to have something sitting in the warehouse for ages with a higher price tag.

We have built up some good friends within the communities we reach both as donors and purchasers. If nothing else, these people have been brought into contact with the work of The Salvation Army and are now doing whatever they can to help further our work in Perth.

As well as utilising the Skinnergate residents, we have hosted numerous other staff members sourced from various areas as detailed here:

‘G’ assisted us in the early days of the project as a second person on the van. He is a former Skinnergate resident now living in another local hostel. He came to a couple of church services and got into conversation with Skinnergate management which led to him assisting us. He is now pursuing other less strenuous paths and has also secured his own flat.

‘S¹’ was brought to us by the local volunteer centre. He was looking to broaden his skills base and assisted us on an ad hoc basis for a couple of months as a second person on the van. He left us to attend a full time college course but was a valuable member of the team during his stay.

‘B’ assisted us for this project. He is a former Skinnergate resident but is now standing on his own two feet. He works purely in the warehouse dealing with the public both on the phone and in person.

‘S²’ was placed with us through the New Deal scheme for a 13 week placement. He assisted in all areas of the project and was a reasonably useful extra person to have around.

‘S³’ was also placed with us through the New Deal placement, and stayed for an extended period. He worked mainly as a delivery/collection assistant, as this was developing his skills for the kind of work he wishes to do in the future.

‘A’ came to us for an extended New Deal placement. He worked as a delivery/collection assistant and thoroughly enjoyed his placement with us, developing good friendships at the same time. He had a few minor learning difficulties but was helped to combat these through his work with us. He is now in full time employment elsewhere but maintains contact with us.

Our links with the Volunteer Centre and New Deal teams have proved invaluable. As well as showing that we are serious about helping the local community, the funds received for hosting these people have been of a great help to the ongoing work through this project.

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