Sadly the funding for this amazing project came to an end in August 2020. However we need to look back at the successes that were achieved and the remarkable difference made to so many peoples’ lives. Nearly £1.3 million was brought into the local economy through the efforts of the staff team and our partners in the project. This was the result of helping people to apply for benefits / grants / obtain backdated benefits and debt relief orders. Navigating the benefit system is a challenge in itself for many people but the specialist support of our welfare benefit specialists, personal development coach and health and wellbeing experts really has helped to change lives.
Mutual support and sharing ideas with each other helped people to develop peer support and lasting friendships. This had a real impact on helping to reduce isolation. The combination of advice and support also proved to be effective and really contributed to the project’s outcomes.
Changes worked with 426 clients – mostly from one of the most deprived areas of Liverpool. It supported people to develop and learn strategies and skills to improve their situation and to develop their resilience.
The team and our partners in the project worked well together and their motivation, determination, knowledge and creativity helped people to aspire to change their lives, supported them through crisis and brought balance back into their lives. They will be missed not only being part of SHAP and working in the project but also as key individuals with astounding skills, knowledge and experience. Particular thanks are obviously due to the National Lottery Community Fund for funding the project for 4 years.
The learning from the project has been shared with the National Lottery Community Fund which will help inform funding initiatives and identify issues that cause hardship and crises in people’s lives.
Click here to see testimonials from some of people that the Changes project helped.