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Men from Mars clean up

Willing volunteers from Mars Drinks in Basingstoke recently spent a day helping out at Step by Step, the Aldershot-based charity which provides accommodation and training for homeless young people and others facing adversity.

The eight men, all from the Kenyan Shift at the Armstrong Road facility, worked hard clearing out the storage area used to house non-perishable harvest festival donations received from generous churches and schools in the area. The timing of their visit was ideal, as they were able to clean and tidy the food store in preparation for this autumn's fresh input of non-perishable foodstuffs, including pasta, rice, sugar, and a wide variety of tinned food. The team also cleaned up a patio area at the rear of Step by Step's Victoria Road premises, which provides the second stage of the charity's structured accommodation service. At the end of the day, after all their hard work, the team donated a top quality drinks machine and plenty of supplies to help refresh the residents.

The team were part of MVP, the Mars Volunteer Programme, which is inspired by the company’s Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Freedom, and Efficiency and is a way of thanking and contributing to local communities. Anthony Augur, Production Shift Supervisor at Mars Drinks and one of the enthusiastic volunteers said, “It was a real eye-opener to see the great work that Step by Step does among the homeless young people, and it made everyone in the team realise how fortunate we are. It was hard work but very rewarding.”

Step by Step helps young people to avoid the downward spiral into lack of confidence and self-esteem, petty crime, and substance misuse that can be the result of homelessness. Clients are encouraged to participate in training to improve their life chances, including literacy, numeracy and computer skills, handling money, relationships with others, and physical and mental health. Help is provided to find a job, college or training place. Three-quarters of Step by Step clients stabilise or progress towards independent living.

The charity welcomes help from any organisation or individual, whether it takes the form of practical activities such as decorating or cleaning, helping with fundraising, offering work experience placements, or making donations of goods or money. Please contact Gill Butler (email gill.butler@stepbystep.org.uk or telephone 01252 327317) to discuss how you or your organisation might be able to help.

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