L&H tenant gets much needed support

Published by keeley for Longhurst Group in Communities and also in Housing

L&H tenant, Ian Bird, has received a grant from a local charity to buy a much needed laptop.

Ian who is profoundly deaf had his laptop stolen when he was burgled last year. With help from L&H Housing Support Worker, Peter Mawer, he applied to a local charity for a grant to buy a new computer, and was absolutely delighted to receive a £300.00 donation from The Grimsby and Cleethorpes Lions that has allowed him to buy a new laptop. Peter has not only helped Ian put an application for the grant together but he also supported him with effective budgeting to pay for Internet access.

The difference this has made to Ian’s life is amazing. He’s not only able to talk to his friends online, but he has also just started volunteering for a local charity, Foresight, which promotes active citizenship to remove barriers of social exclusion for disabled people. This has massively improved his skills and boosted his confidence. After being unemployed for some time, Ian has even started to apply for jobs online and is actively looking for employment, hoping that access to the Internet will make it possible for him to find a job.

Ian said: ‘Thank you to everyone who helped me to get the new computer. It’s really fantastic and I’m truly grateful!  I can’t put into words how much this means to me. The laptop has given me my independence again – I can pay my bills and talk to family on line. You can’t put a price on freedom.’  

Peter said: ‘L&H support tenants in all kinds of imaginative ways and helping people to get the funding they need is one of the many ways we help them get back on their feet. We’ve built a network of connections with local charities and organisations that allow us to support people like Ian in the best way possible and provide them with the tools to get their life back on track. It’s massively rewarding to see how it has made a real difference to Ian.’

Steve Wakefield, Chairman of Grimsby and Cleethorpes Lions added: ‘The Grimsby and Cleethorpes Lions have been working for over 40 years to raise money for local charities and individuals who apply for our help. As a few examples, we work with schools, do hampers for the elderly at Christmas and once a year send a family on a holiday to Yarmouth– it’s great to show people that someone cares. Ian’s case is a perfect example of the difference we try to make for people in the community and I am delighted that we have been able to give Ian his independence again.’