Friends of OSW
What is the Friends of OSW?
The Friends of OSW is about recognising and nurturing the many good relationships we have already with clients, partner agencies and commissioners of our services and looking to develop new relationships in areas that we may not have traditionally been involved.
What our clients have said about OSW
“The overall help from TSP has been amazing and I’d definitely recommend it to anybody that wanted to do something with their life. It’s definitely for someone who wants to make changes and to do better… It’s been very positive, I feel a lot better about myself, and I’ve got this drive.”
“Since my time on the project my confidence and self esteem improved, and my financial capacity has improved. I have met new people and developed new friendships in my working environment.”
“The ongoing support is important. I know my coach is interested in me. I am not just a number.”
“What has changed for me since my time on the project is my whole way of living, it has given me my independence back.”
To read more about some of our clients' stories, please see the OSW's clients section of the site.
Recent Friends Events
The ‘Friends of OSW’ launch event was held in the House of Commons on 1st June 2009, and was sponsored by Karen Buck, MP for Regent’s Park and Kensington North. The event was attended by a combination of people from the private and voluntary sector, Government and senior officials. The key note speech was delivered by Richard Blakeway, the Mayor of London’s Housing Director, who was particularly supportive of the work that OSW delivers to support homeless people into suitable employment and decent housing.
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Above Left: Richard Blakeway listens to OSW client Raymond Howell speaking at the Friends Launch.
Above Right: Simon Hughes MP and Frances Mapstone, OSW Chief Executive, at the Friends Launch.
There were also two very passionate speeches delivered by our Transitional Spaces Project clients, demonstrating how OSW successfully coached them through a very difficult period in their lives. To further support OSW’s fundraising ask, a ‘friend’ of OSW undertook a sponsored triathlon. With the added promotion of the triathlon at the event, we have managed to raise £2237.37 to further support homeless people in their journey to be socially and economically included.
Friends News
OSW has become a member of Charity Flowers. This is an internet florists which donates 15% of the retail price on each order to the purchaser's chosen charity. To order flowers and make sure your donation goes to OSW, please visit the Charity Flowers website, and enter the code 'OSW' when you make your purchase. You can also place an order by telephone on 08705 300 600.
We are very grateful for the support provided by Clifford Chance, not only for the pro bono legal advice they provide but also for the mock interview sessions involving their staff to help homeless people into employment.
Staff at Sainsburys Bermondsey Square have selected OSW as their Charity of the Year. They will be promoting OSW's work in-store, collecting donations from customers, and holding various fundraising activities during the year.
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Left: Staff from OSW and Sainsburys get together outside the store. |
OSW hosted a stall at the Bermondsey Street Festival on Saturday 19th September. Staff and clients from OSW were in attendance to man the stall and talk to people from our local area about the work we do. Donations from local businesses helped us to raise nearly £600 from a tombola, and Bermondsey Street estate agents Daniel Cobbs also donated £137 raised from their coconut shy!
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Left: The lucky winners of flowers from OSW's tombola. |
How to become a Friend of OSW
If you or your organisation is interested in getting involved with the Friends of OSW please complete the form below, and we will be in touch to let you know more about how you could help.
To find out more about ways you can help OSW you can also download the OSW Fundraising Menu (5.78 Mb).