St Elizabeth's Centre launches appeal to help plug £1.2m fundraising deficit – and offers hope for job hunters

One of the largest employers in Hertfordshire, St Elizabeth's Centre is just one of many charities facing financial hardship in the coronavirus crisis, writes its marketing and communications officer Jo Gill.

The centre at Perry Green, near Much Hadham, is the only national charity which cares for and supports children and adults with severe learning disabilities, epilepsy and other complex conditions.

With all 10 of our charity shops closed, on top of vital fundraising events postponed or cancelled and most grant and trust applications suspended, it's putting a huge strain on finances.

At present, we are set to lose around £1.2 million in fundraising revenue, causing uncertainty for our future as a team.

We have just launched an online fundraising appeal, informing supporters and followers how they can support St Elizabeth's through this difficult time.

The appeal is backed by theatre director and writer Stephen Unwin, who writes poignantly and passionately about being separated from his 23-year-old son Joey during the coronavirus crisis and about the care his 'beautiful boy' receives from St Elizabeth's. Ways to support the appeal include:

• direct donations
• shopping online via Bishop's Stortford-based charity The Giving Machine or Amazon Smile
• a 'virtual visit' to our charity shops via eBay to snap up a bargain
• playing the East Herts lottery

We have put together a Covid-19 blog entitled 'Tough Times Blog', to which people with a variety of different connections with St Elizabeth's have contributed, based on what the current situation means for them.

It's not all take...

These are difficult times and we want to help. St Elizabeth's is currently advertising direct care and support employment opportunities to the local community and beyond.

Perhaps you have been affected financially by Covid-19? Or just fancy a career change? With full-time, part-time and casual roles available across early and late day and night shifts, there is a flexible role to suit everyone.

You don't need any experience in care, just a passion for people and caring for the most vulnerable in our community.

Full, fast-tracked training is provided free of charge, with the potential to be working across our residential setting within weeks.

For more information, please visit www.stelizabeths.org.uk or call 01279 844409.

About St Elizabeth's Centre

St Elizabeth's cares for and supports more than 200 vulnerable children and adults with severe learning disabilities and other complex medical needs, often caused or complicated by epilepsy and / or autism.

It manages and runs a school for 5- to 19-year-olds, a college for 18- to 25-year-olds (supported by a domiciliary care agency) and a residential care home with nursing.

The charity provides this specialist care, health, educational and residential support 24/7 to ensure the children, young people and adults are safe, happy and can live their lives to the fullest.

Founded in September 1903, it is based in 65 acres of spacious parkland only 15 minutes from Bishop’s Stortford.