Homeless project looks back on year's achievements

News Release: 18 July 2012

The Marylebone Project in London, which helps hundreds of homeless women each year, has held its annual celebration event attended by more than 70 supporters along with the residents, clients and staff.

The event, which is now part of the annual social calendar at the project, was held to mark the success of the past 12 months and to showcase the three new Social Enterprises that the women are running.

Bill Gallagher, General Manager, welcomed and thanked supporters for being part of the success of the project. He spoke of the ever increasing demand on services and how the Marylebone Project is playing a big part in helping homeless women to rebuild their lives. Mark Russell, Marylebone Project Chair and Church Army Chief Executive, spoke passionately about the need to eradicate homelessness and how our supporters play an essential part in achieving that.

The Marylebone Project singers group entertained guests with their take on I'm Walking on Sunshine and other various tunes.

Guests also heard from Tamara (pictured right), the latest success story to come out of the Marylebone Project. Tamara spoke about her time spent living on the streets, her recovery and transformation at the project, and her transition to living independently in her own flat with a brand new job as a breakfast chef at the Marriot Hotel.

Although the Marylebone Project has resettled a staggering 115 women into independent living in the past year, Tamara’s story is a rather special one. Tamara is the first triumph of its fledgling social enterprise Munch in Marylebone – an in-house catering service.

And so onto the main event – the food! Guests were treated to a special two-course taster menu put together especially to showcase the amazing variety of skills and competencies that the women had mastered during their time working for Munch.

Guests also had the chance to see the project's TimeBank and other Social Enterprises in action including the jewellery and gifts made by the ladies at Hand-made.