Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Anyone who knows me will be aware that anything remotely athletic is not my thing, but when the opportunity to swim ONE MILE in OPEN WATER came up, I thought why not I will give it a go!

Apart from floating around on top of an inflatable I haven't actually swam properly for around 10 years! However working at The Wellspring means that I see first hand, everyday how important the service is to those who use it.

All different kinds of people use The Wellspring for all different kinds of reasons, and every single day is different.

To highlight the importance of this service and to give you an insight  I have asked those who use it to write about what The Wellspring means to them:

Ged (Wellspring visitor) wrote:

Wellsprings is a place where all sorts of people from all walks of life come together in one place. Each visitor is unique as each person has their own personal issues and histories which some people need help with. People who come to The Wellspring may have social problems with issues with alcohol, drugs, loneliness, homelessness and mental health problems.

No one is excluded as Wellsprings is there for one and all. People can use The Wellspring facilities which include free food, clothing , medical advice, benefit advice and other referrals to outside agencies.

Wellsprings is a support system and a beacon for those who need a place to get help and advice when there is no where else to turn to.

By helping The Wellspring you are helping people who need help the most.

Every penny, every pound is used to it's full potential so Thank You for helping Wellsprings carry out its aims 365 days, each and every year.

 Vickki (Wellspring member) wrote:

When I first became a service user I was about to become homeless and was taken to The Wellspring by a friend. After using the services for a while I became accustomed to the atmosphere and started to speak to other service users, I then created my own support network with others that I got on with, people I would never have met if it wasn't for The Wellspring. People who encouraged me to let the staff know I was rough sleeping and who helped me manage once I was eventually homed after 5 years of instability.

As a way of thanks I now help out as a volunteer, I help with cleaning, reception when needed or just offer a friendly face and listening ear to those that need it. To be the person that just by having a normal conversation is responsible for brightening someone elses day is so rewarding. Watching the work the staff do everyday is amazing, they all deserve a medal.

Another Wellspring member wrote:

For over a year Wellspring has provided food and support for me. I appreciate everything they have done for me since I first came through the doors.

I need to add I had nowhere else to turn, being widowed and with no family ties. I can now go forward in life full of optimism. Thanks to everyone at Wellspring for helping me succeed.

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