LHM Quarterly Update: A Busy Spring at LHM (April - June 2024)

As we reflect on the second quarter of 2024, we’ve had another busy and productive period at LHM. From managing an ever-growing client base to enjoying some wonderful activities, here’s a snapshot of what has been happening over the past three months.

April: A Time of Growth

April was a busy month, with the team providing 3,237 meals, up by 260 from March’s total. On our busiest day, we served 67 people for breakfast and 122 for lunch. It’s important to note that these numbers reflect main meals only, meaning the actual number of people served is higher.

One major highlight was the promotion of Chris McLorinan to Assistant Manager. Chris has been a vital part of our team, and his new role has already made a positive impact, particularly in improving communication within the kitchen. The team, especially the volunteers, were thrilled with his well-deserved appointment.

We’ve also been actively working to improve services, with Chris leading daily kitchen meetings to ensure issues are resolved promptly. Angela continued her outreach efforts, taking part in a rough sleepers count with the Simon Community, identifying 29 rough sleepers during a 3-hour period in the city centre.

Some of the key interventions provided this month included 43 benefit support cases and 36 instances of emotional support. Angela also spent considerable time with a client who was experiencing suicidal ideation, and through dedicated support, they are now in a much better frame of mind.

May: Record Numbers and a COVID Challenge

May proved to be another incredibly busy month, with 3,193 meals provided over 23 working days. On three days, we served more than 100 people for lunch, with our busiest day seeing 78 breakfasts and 112 lunches served. We also had to operate a doorstep service on two days due to a COVID outbreak. Although not ideal, it meant that we still had contact with people and there was food for everyone.

Our volunteers continued to be the backbone of LHM, contributing a staggering £6,578 in volunteer hours for the month, based on the national living wage. Their hard work allowed us to keep everything running smoothly, even in challenging circumstances.

Activities, such as bowling and trips to the theatre, continued to be popular, with many enjoying the chance to see “Dear Billy” at the Pavilion Theatre, thanks to The National Theatre of Scotland’s Gillian Gourley.

A night out at the theatre!

Angela noted that emotional support was once again the most sought-after service, with 48 interventions. She also attended two funerals in May and continued to tightly manage fuel top-up vouchers to make sure they were going to people with a genuine need.

June: A Month of Community and Appreciation

June brought with it some changes, with meal numbers slightly down from May, at 2,672. One of the standout moments of the month was our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, hosted at the Eagle Lodge, where Rahul and his team provided a beautiful meal. They even donated £3000 to us which is fantastic. We are so grateful for their support and kindness.  This was the perfect opportunity for us to thank our dedicated volunteers, without whom LHM would not function.

A beautiful menu once again from Eagle Lodge

Some of our fabulous volunteers enjoying dinner

Both our men’s and women’s groups enjoyed days out this month, with the men visiting Blair Drummond Safari Park and the women heading to Ayr to shop and have lunch! These outings, chosen by the groups themselves, were a huge hit and provided a much-needed break from the daily routine.

Blair Drummond Safari

Girls Day Out!

We also had a surprise visit from the very well known comedian, Karen Dunbar. She spent some time talking with everyone and even managed a game of pool!

Our very own Angela with the hilarious Karen Dunbar!

In terms of intervention work, we recorded 42 instances of emotional support and a touching story of a man who had previously been homeless but returned to tell us how much the support from LHM had meant to him. He is now doing well, coaching his son’s football team and working in a new job. We love to hear news like this!

As always, our volunteers made a significant impact, with their contributions valued at £5,366 for June. Chris also provided a volunteer training session to ensure everyone feels prepared and supported in their roles.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

This quarter has highlighted the continued importance of the services we provide at LHM. From meals to emotional support, we are seeing more people than ever before seeking help. Thanks to our team, volunteers, and the wider community, we are able to meet these growing needs while creating a sense of belonging for all those who walk through our doors.

We look forward to the next quarter and thank you for your continued support!