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Hilton funds local homeless accommodation

Step by Step’s campaign to raise funds to equip its new purpose-designed building in Aldershot town centre has received a welcome boost with a donation of £10,000 from Hilton in the Community Foundation. The money will be used to help decorate and furnish sixteen Stage 2 study-bedrooms on the third floor of the new premises in Crimea Road.

Step by Step has a four-stage accommodation structure. Initially (at Stage 1) clients are closely supported and supervised and they are expected to observe ‘house rules’ and participate in cooking and cleaning tasks. As the young people progress through the stages they develop their basic life skills and take more responsibility for their lives and actions, until they are able to live independently. The new building will provide 30 single study bedrooms for those at Stages 1 and 2, providing privacy and a quiet place to study.

Amanda Dubarry, Chief Executive of Step by Step, said “This very generous grant is a significant milestone in our fundraising efforts, not only for the money involved, but also for the confidence expressed by the trustees of HCF for what we are trying to achieve for our young people and the community.”

During research at the planning phase for the new building, it was seen from other similar projects that occupants’ self esteem was enhanced if the accommodation was attractive, lively and welcoming. A professional interior designer was consulted, who suggested the use of bold colours and modern furnishings helps eliminate any institutional feel and encourage young people to take pride in and care for their accommodation.

Hilton in the Community Foundation (HCF) focuses its support on children and young people, particularly those affected by homelessness, disability or illness, and aims to make a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged children and young people. Step by Step’s aims and proven outcomes were clearly in accordance with this ethos, and the charity was delighted to be awarded £10,000 towards the cost of fitting out the Stage 2 accommodation.

Simon Sheehan, Director Hilton in the Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be part of such an exciting and important project and to support Step by Step’s work. There is a natural synergy between Hilton’s hospitality philosophy and the provision of accommodation for disadvantaged young people, so the Foundation is thrilled to be able to support the creation of this invaluable facility. Hilton staff around the country put in a lot of effort to raise funds for the Foundation and when we see the positive impact of work like this it spurs on all our team members’ efforts.”

Step by Step works with young people aged 16 –25, many of whom are from broken homes, have few qualifications and are unemployed. The majority are depressed and in a downward spiral leading to petty crime and the misuse of drugs and alcohol. Through a programme of one-to-one care, education and training aimed at restoring basic skills and self-confidence, Step by Step successfully halts this decline in over 75% of cases, helping the young people to tackle their problems and become independent and successful members of the community.

About Hilton in the Community Foundation

Hilton in the Community Foundation was founded in 2000 as Hilton Hotels’ charity dedicated to supporting young people in the communities that Hilton Hotels serve in the UK and Ireland and, in the case of disaster relief, worldwide. Focused on Education and Health, grants supporting disadvantaged young people are made, while in the event of international disaster; grants are made to relief organisations at the Trustees’ discretion. 

In 2009, through the Foundation, team members, guest and suppliers raised over £1,051,264 while the Foundation awarded 324 grants to 251 charities totalling £1,061,556 (the difference is from the Foundation’s reserves). Since its establishment in November 2000 the Foundation has raised £8 million for charity.

The Foundation's core costs are funded by Hilton Worldwide, so every net pound raised goes directly to good causes. Donations are funded almost entirely through the generous efforts and contributions of Hilton team members, family and friends and with the support of Hilton guests and company suppliers.

©2010 Step by Step Partnership Ltd   :   Reg. Charity No. 900308    :   Company No. 2431825