Transforming Lives

Every year, Spaldings’ staff selects both a local and national charity to raise funds for. This year, the chosen local charity was YMCA Lincolnshire (Nomad Trust), as voted by Spaldings’ employees. CEO Caroline Killeavy invited Spaldings’ Chairman Dave Fox, Marketing Manager Josie Jamieson, and Marketing Co-ordinator Subodh Rajeevan for a tour of the charity’s various facilities.

The Spaldings team along with the YMCA Lincolnshire team during the visit

Two decades ago, a terraced house on Monks Road began serving as overnight emergency accommodation for victims of homelessness and rough sleeping, offering shelter and support. While this was a commendable service, it had limitations. The primary issue was the lack of a safe place during daytime hours. Operating from 8pm to 8am, the facility couldn’t ensure residents’ safety during daylight hours. Additionally, being situated in a terraced house with a fixed layout meant that large shared rooms with bunk beds were less than ideal for meeting individual needs. The single bathroom also posed constraints.

In 2018, through fundraising efforts that raised £1.6 million, the team at YMCA Lincolnshire successfully repurposed and renovated a former gym on St Rumbold Street in the city. The team prioritised restoring privacy, dignity, and safety. The building’s interior design drew inspiration from the natural world, aiming to ease trauma for residents. The revamped facility now offers 22 en suite rooms for emergency accommodation, along with access to various daytime activities and gardens. Importantly, residents receive support from multiple agencies, including the NHS, resident advisers, and a caseworker. With daytime provisions and care, they find a safe and secure refuge. An experienced chef prepares a diverse menu using donated food from local supermarkets, Dyson Farming, Branston Potatoes, and Foster’s Butchers on Monk’s Road.

A room prepared for a resident within the Nomad Centre.

Helen Wright, Director of Housing for the charity, along with Caroline and the team, guided residents through their transformative YMCA Lincolnshire journey. Short-term residents, still in need of support from the Nomad Centre, transition to the hostel alongside the emergency accommodation. Here, the focus shifts to rehabilitating residents and providing tools and employment training for their journey toward independent living.

However, the challenge remains: there are never enough rooms to meet the demand. A lengthy waiting list underscores the ongoing need for additional support in the city. During the visit, the YMCA Lincolnshire minibus took the team to a development in progress on the St Giles estate. Sheridan House, intentionally situated at the heart of the community, it aims to foster a sense of belonging for residents. Anticipating its first resident by Christmastime, the shelter will offer individual apartments with a bedroom, en suite, and a small lounge and kitchen area. Caroline and her team recognise the importance of allowing residents to personalise their space and truly feel at home.

Sheridan House - a new facility being built on the St Giles estate, consisting of individual apartments

Yet, the charity still relies on external support. Evenings pose particular challenges, and volunteers are urgently sought to run the centre. With total dependence on grants and donations, meeting even the basic needs of those experiencing homelessness remains difficult. Each new client receives a toiletries pack and regular hot meals, alongside ongoing healthcare. To sustain progress and ensure that the dedicated support workers continue to make a difference, the charity seeks help—both financial and otherwise.