Annual General Meeting

What is our AGM?

At LEAP Housing our AGM is an important event for us, celebrating our progression to staff and stakeholders. It’s always a wonderful event to kick off the Autumn season before the clocks go back and the leaves fall. our 2022 AGM was just as enjoyable as previous ones gone by with staff, Trustees, stakeholders, Local Councillors and beneficiaries all in attendance. The Guest of Honour was the newly appointed Principal and CEO of Lincoln College, Mr Mark Locking, accompanied by our CEO Heidi Walton and Chair of Trustees Mr Graham Bratby.

The idea behind our AGM and celebration is to shout about the great work undertaken throughout the year and commend staff that have particularly excelled. As a charity our values are central to our work and it’s important that achievements are recognised.

CEO’s Info

Our Chief Executive, Heidi Walton, spoke at length about the significant achievements of the year. In particular, how the Pandemic has led to some positive changes within LEAP by embracing flexible working whilst not having an impact on service delivery. With the Pandemic behind us, we have been able to get back on track with fundraising. Doing so by holding successful Charity events like a quiz night and stalls at Boultham Park, Waddington and Ashcroft Green.

One of the challenges we face is around fundraising and the lack of staffing capacity to undertake fundraising activities. Heidi proposed that a solution to this is to create a Friends of LEAP (FoL) group of volunteers. If anyone is interested in becoming a FoL, please visit the website where you will find information on how to participate.

Speaking about developments specific to Gainsborough, Heidi reported the Charity has bought several more derelict houses unfit for human habitation and refurbished them to a high standard.

Before Development

After Development

We have also rceived 3 years funding from The Mercers Company to employ a Community Participation Officer in Gainsborough. Their role is to open the Hub up to the community for advice and guidance, run workshops and training sessions as well as pull together a participation group from the local community and support them to try and improve their streets. To date we have completed two art projects; the painting of several Virgin Media Boxes and a Mural which sits on the back wall of the Hub. Both have received great feedback that people want to see more of this in their area.

Awards and CMS

In Lincoln, Heidi spoke about the achievement of being awarded the Trusted Charity Kitemark which is recognised by The Charity Commission as an exemplary kitemark for the charitable sector.  This evidences the professionalism within LEAP which we are very proud of. Additionally, we received funding through CRF (Community Renewal Fund) as part of a consortia led by Abbey Access. The funding LEAP gained was to set up a new not-for-profit company owned by LEAP as the sole shareholder.

The company, called CMS, will provide maintenance services locally to the general public and businesses with any profits being fed back into LEAP to expand the work that we do with homeless people. The purpose for taking this route is two-fold: Firstly, LEAP stands for Lincolnshire Employment Accommodation Project and whilst they have always delivered on the accommodation and support aspect of our service, we have not been able to offer employment to our beneficiaries who are often the furthest removed from the job market.

With CMS, the intention is to take on apprentices to work alongside every trade person employ and give them the skills to move on to meaningful work with stability and a good salary. Secondly, LEAP owns lots of properties that need maintaining to a good standard which CMS will help with.

Then, Heidi handed over the floor to Mark Locking. He spoke about the journey of Lincoln College and the synergies that the College and LEAP have providing more opportunities to work in partnership as we move forward. Mark then had the privilege of handing out two special awards to staff members evidencing their dedication to their work in LEAP. Sarah Hall, Senior Housing Officer in Lincoln received the Vision Award whilst Patricia Robinson, Housing Officer at Lincoln, was voted for the Values Award.

Ex-Resident

A very special person then spoke at the event, ex-resident Chantelle.  Her speech was very moving. Recalling her experience of homelessness as a young person she explained how her time with LEAP made a positive impact on her life and helped her into independence in so many different ways.  She praised her Support Worker for her devotion and perseverance despite, Chantelle’s youthful unwillingness to always accept the support on offer.  Although many years have passed since she left LEAP, she looks back fondly on her time with us and would recommend the service to everyone who finds themselves in this vulnerable position.

The event was wrapped up by the Chair Graham Bratby who confirmed the excellent work undertaken by staff at LEAP. He thanked them for their dedication to the Charity along with gratitude to all the LEAP Trustees who dedicate their expert skills and knowledge to support the success of LEAP.

How can you help?

At LEAP we provide housing and support to vulnerable individuals facing homelessness in Lincolnshire. The easiest way you can help us to continue our work is to is to support us through fundraising, donating or raising awareness through sharing posts like these or our social media content. Leaving us reviews on our google profile helps us get noticed in the area, you can click here to leave us a review. Read more about what we’ve been up to on our blog or check out our homepage and explore our website.

Many thanks to JSB Photography for photographing the event. Find her page here.