Caritas Care were thrilled to receive a generous donation of £4,000 from the Broughton Catholic Charitable Society to support people engaged with the ACE Project (Assisted Community Engagement), based in Preston.

The ACE project is a ‘through the gate’ programme working with ex-offenders to prepare them for release, and to support them back into the community. ACE works with statutory, voluntary and private services to ensure that individuals have access to community links and have some stability on which to build a better future for them.

The donation was presented by Peter Van Parys and Mike King from the Broughton Catholic Charitable Trust to the team at their premises.  Pictured from left to right is Liz Snape (ACE), Mike King (Broughton Catholic Charitable Trust), Dale Tomlinson (Director of Community Services, Caritas Care), Sharon Smith (ACE Project Manager),  Jamie Lea Richardson and Charles Gayle (ACE).

The donation will be used to support vulnerable individuals involved with the project who are experiencing both mental health and addiction problems and who have no financial, family, or other support.

Sharon Smith, ACE Project Manager said “We are delighted to be able to share this donation between 2 areas of our work, firstly to meet the most basic needs of vulnerable individuals when they start on their new journey, covering costs of essential items such as new bedding, towels, crockery, cutlery, toaster, kettle, microwave, and gas and electric tokens and more.

The second will go towards supporting and developing our Mental Health and Wellbeing work. It will allow us to provide even more opportunities for people to access outdoor activities such as walking in the countryside, cycling, canoeing, and caving etc.  We have seen that having access and encouragement to join in such activities has had a real impact on improving mental health and wellbeing, increasing confidence and self esteem.”

Susan Swarbrick, CEO Caritas Care said “We are hugely grateful to Peter Van Parys and Mike King from Broughton Catholic Charitable Society and thank them for the kindness and support they have given the ACE project. The Society has also pledged this amount for a further four years which makes it even more valuable in that we can be sure of these funds and plan accordingly.   We cannot stress enough the good that this money will do as we work alongside some of the most marginalised and vulnerable members of society across Lancashire.

Find out more about the ACE service here