2010 – 2011
ANNUAL REPORT
104b Denmark Road, Manchester M15 6JS. Tel 0161 232 8888
www.cornerstonecds.org.uk
2010 -2011
ANNUAL REPORT
FOREWORD
The visit of Pope Benedict XVI in September last year touched the hearts and
minds of millions of citizens of the United Kingdom and beyond. His words
reverberated far beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Family and evoked a
cordial response, not only from other faith communities, but also from
parliamentarians, civic leaders, academics and journalists. The visit was all too
brief but the legacy will be an inspiration and a guide for many years.
In November the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in England and Wales issued a
statement – A call to a deeper social engagement. The aim of this was to launch a
programme to enable our community and those who share our values to
contribute to a revitalized culture of social responsibility. There have been
conferences in Liverpool and London and a meeting in the shadow of
Westminster at which distinguished parliamentary and public figures seemed to
listen attentively and respond encouragingly.
Caritas Diocese of Salford has played a part in these and a range of other heritage
events. The contribution my colleagues and I are able to make is informed by and
reflective of your experience, your knowledge and your incomparable
commitment to easing the burden of poverty, hunger, social exclusion and
homelessness. Your dedication is our inspiration and I am pleased to take this
opportunity to thank you … staff, volunteers, helpers, benefactors and all who
support this vital work.
May God bless you, now and always.
+ Terence J. Brain
Bishop of Salford
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HOMELESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Cornerstone is twenty years old. In that time it has worn three liveries – those of
the Diocese, Catholic Welfare Societies and, most recently, that of Caritas Diocese
of Salford. Although our latest ‘threads’ are still very new, they already feel very
comfortable.
The previous report looked forward in fervent hope mixed with some trepidation
that the transition would be a seamless one and so, by and large, it has proved to
be. With ‘HQ’ firmly embedded in the Cathedral Centre, we have established
closer and more cordial links with the wider Diocesan family. I am immodest
enough to believe our presence confers blessings on our new neighbours and we
are graced immeasurably by our shared heartbeat.
Sister Lucy (Centre Director) with one of our clients
Surveying the landscape this time last year I was conscious that the region had
survived a second arctic winter, the nation was in the throngs of election fever
and the world economy was seriously troubled. No-one was predicting another
big freeze; one of the most serious earthquakes ever suffered by our planet; the
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rolling revolution extending from Libya, through Tunisia and Egypt, to Bahrain and
Syria or the impact an elderly German Pope would in just four days have on the
UK.
We endeavour to make the Day Centre a warm, safe, welcoming environment
The announcement that the Government had issued an invitation which the Holy
Father had accepted was one of the last acts of the outgoing Government. There
was little more than four months to deal with the logistics and finalise the
programme. There was also the small matter of defraying the costs. Oh we of
little faith, racked with fear and trepidation right up until 16 September … a day
on which the sun shone on Edinburgh and Bellahouston Park in Glasgow - the
crowds came out and this unforgettable visit got off to an inspiring start.
I was among the several hundred invited to Westminster Hall to listen to the Holy
Father’s ‘Address to Civil Society’. This brilliantly crafted lecture will be pored
over and quoted for years to come. It addressed the risks inherent in the
relegation of faith to the outer margins of Society in a casual disregard of
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centuries of history and the risk that the phenomenal social capital residing in
faith communities will lie dormant, unrealised and diminished.
The Pope rejoiced that our pluralist democracy values free speech, freedom of
association and respect for the rule of law. ‘Catholic Social Teaching’ has much in
common with this approach in its overriding concern to safeguard the unique
destiny of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God and in
its emphasis on the duty of the civil authority to foster the common good’.
Referring once more, as he prepared to board his plane home to his speech at
Westminster Palace, Pope Benedict bequeathed to the Church in Great Britain the
task of strengthening relations with the institutions of state, better to build a civil
society with a renewed sense of shared values and common purpose.
Within two months the Bishops of England and Wales sketched out their vision of
what needed to be done in a statement headed ‘A call to deeper social
engagement’. Since then there have been 3 conferences, each building on the
one(s) before.
‘A common endeavour’ was the title of the first of these. It was held in Liverpool
and set out the huge and varied tapestry of the Church’s caring ministry. A few
weeks later a distinguished gathering of philosophers, theologians and academics
produced (in an amazingly short time) a document ‘social teaching and the
philosophy behind the Big Society’. Then just before the great feast of Easter, the
Bishop’s conference, members of Caritas Social Action Network et al joined with
Members of Parliament to discuss the building of a new culture of social
responsibility’.
What struck me most forcefully was that every member of the Cornerstone family
would have felt themselves very much at home at each and every one of these
events. The materials of counsel, care, concern and love of neighbour for God’s
sake, which we continue to seek to hammer into a coherent pattern on the anvil
of solicitous discernment, are the very same materials with which we work at our
project every single day! That which prelates and Parliamentarians seek can be
found right here in Greenheys. You are the creators and custodians not so much
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of the Big Society (a term for which I care little!) but, more authentically, of the
compassionate Society.
2010/2011 was also characterised by continuing concern on the part of ‘the
authorities’ for the more extreme manifestations of ‘rooflessness’. Once again,
during the extremities of winter, beds were funded in commercial hotels and
third sector hostels. There was also reason to hope that honesty was about to
make a late but nonetheless welcome entrance with the Government’s
acknowledgement that the total of rough sleepers was not 440 as first claimed,
but was, in fact, 1,768. Alas, the bad news outweighs the good with Westminster
Council managing much of the running … they are determined to outlaw the
nightly soup runs which nourish rough sleepers not only by supplying warm food
but also the inestimable warmth of human contact. To their credit the groups
involved (almost all with faith connections) have taken to the streets with an
imaginative, well publicised protest.
Undaunted, Westminster is now seeking to accommodate its homeless
population outside the borough boundaries. Meanwhile another London
Borough (Hammersmith & Fulham) is asking Government to remove the statutory
obligation to put in place a homelessness and rough sleeping strategy. In short,
they are campaigning to be given the Pontius Pilate option to wash their hands of
responsibility.
Away from the limelight and undetected for a decade or two extended families in
Slough have evidently been resolving their housing problems by erecting sheds in
gardens to accommodate ‘family overspill’. The local authority’s preliminary
estimate is that there are 2,000 such units housing 10,000 people. Such dwellings
are a risk to health (and worse!) and contravene the law … but how do you rehouse such a large number in one of Greater London’s most populous boroughs?
By building more houses, perhaps? Not very likely in the current economic
climate! Last year, 2010, the number of new homes completed was 102,500; this
was the lowest number since 1923 and way off Harold McMillan’s promise in the
1950’s to build three hundred thousand houses every year! There is much more
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evidence out there to support the assertion that we have a serious supply
problem in the UK.
With rising unemployment and proposed changes to housing benefits and social
housing rents there is also a growing affordability issue.
Put these elements together, add the availability of cheap alcohol, easy access to
illegal drugs, pressures on the Nation’s care systems and it is hardly rocket science
to conclude that there will be a need for Cornerstone and many similar projects
for quite some time to come.
Angela (Assistant Manager) working with one of our long standing clients
Families like the Cornerstone family are as rare as hens’ teeth, delivering, as we
do, immeasurable public benefit without a single penny of public money. Many
similar projects have relied on the ‘Supporting People’ programme for their funds.
This programme has now been critically reduced (and its ringfence removed). Not
surprisingly day centres and hostels are closing at an alarming rate. Thanks to
your generosity of spirit (and wallet!) this is not an immediate risk for us and
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those we support. The challenges we face include pressure on our existing floor
space.
It is not just a question of numbers. Staff are engaged more and more in detailed
and time consuming casework. We have long been committed to addressing our
clients’ longer term problems by assisting them to access social housing and the
appropriate rates of benefit to support them therein. A rough count suggests that
staff facilitated more than 50 offers of permanent accommodation in the last
year. How much more might we have done had we had the office space to sit
down with clients and work with them in tranquillity and without interruption?
How much more comfort could we bring to lives lived in pain were we able to
offer clinic space to visiting health professionals?
In response to these questions the Management Committee has resolved to
explore the possibility of gaining
Kitchen facilities at Benham House
more square meters of useable space.
We have also invited a firm of
architects to blend imagination with
economy to give us an innovative
design (see section on Fundraising).
There is no better/best dichotomy in
Cornerstone. A miracle is a miracle
and we experience everyone of them
as very special. May I end this section
on just such a note. Benham House
was placed at our disposal in January
thanks to benefactors who seek
neither
recognition
nor
acknowledgement (but have our
undying gratitude). In this modest
terraced house very close to the
Centre, we can accommodate up to
three rough sleepers whose health
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problems place them, as rough sleepers, in jeopardy of their lives. Under the
supervision of a resident caretaker, they are ferried from the Centre each evening
and return for breakfast etc. next day. Each resident is given a one week
‘package’ which is reviewed and can be extended. Occupancy levels are high and
the impact in terms of the mitigation of suffering and the avoidance of fatalities is
incalculable.
In summary Cornerstone continues to be an island in a sea of troubles where
broken voyagers – storm tossed – are washed ashore. Here, they are helped to
reacquire lost navigation skills more successfully to negotiate the treacherous
waters of life’s oceans. On their behalf may I thank you for the part you have
played and will continue to play in this most inspiring work.
FINANCE
Once again Cornerstone Day Centre is deeply indebted to those (almost)
countless parishes, schools and selfless individuals and families who have so
generously supported the Centre throughout the year. The consistent loyalty of
this most generous ‘commonwealth’ is a miracle to behold. Fundraising is
emerging as an important factor in its own right. The range of this activity is very
wide … coffee mornings, table sales, raffles – all have played their part. On the
grand scale, two events stand out: the Didsbury Beer Festival, which has now
become an annual event associated with St. Catherine’s Social Club, Didsbury,
raised £12,000 which was shared between Cornerstone and a local hospital. We
gracefully acknowledge our debt to Vince Kelly who ensured our place on the
organising committee’s radar (we shall also feature in the 2011 festival!). The
second ‘industrial scale’ success was the February concert at St. Kentigern’s in
Fallowfield which raised £7,000. As always Ann Mitchell has warm words for all
those of us who worked towards the success of the event but we know that
without Ann’s tireless work the success would have been but a pale shade of what
in fact was a simply brilliant event. Thanks, too, of course to Jimmy Mulgrew
(Jimmy Cricket) and Joe Casserley (Full Irish Radio Show) who gave of their time
and talents.
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We were blessed, too, with generous support from an impressive line up of
charitable trusts:














Kennedy Charitable Foundation
Hogben Family Charitable Trust
Lord Mayor’s Charity (Manchester)
GCG Foundation
A M Haworth Charitable Trust
Mary Strand Trust
Joseph Cox Charity
Sir Harold Hood’s Charitable Trust
Prêt A Manger Foundation
Peter Kershaw Trust
Manchester and Salford District Nursing Fund
Manchester Relief In Need
Didsbury Beer Festival
Price Waterhouse Cooper
Such generosity touches all of us very deeply and gives us the encouragement and
impetus to strive even harder to work with the marginalised, the homeless, rough
sleepers et al to move them on from their discomfort zones to a place of
recovered dignity and human flourishing.
Were I to have been asked at the mid-point of the year whether our project was
where it needed to be in the financial context I might have been tempted to say
“yes, we’re pretty well there!”. Where we wanted to be was in a position in
which we had a full year’s costs in reserve. The Charity Commission has endorsed
such prudence and it is a policy which gives a degree of confidence to our users
that we won’t suddenly disappear if our income stream is hit by economic
drought and of course it gives our staff peace of mind to know that they will have
a job for as long as can reasonably be assured. Then two things struck me (1) we
had not factored in depreciation and created a contingency reserve to provide for
it and (2) if we were really serious about an adoption of a Dignity Agenda then we
had to address the task of making our Centre the best it could be.
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The Day Centre is busy from when we first open each morning
Staff and Management Committee were consulted and it was agreed that we
should put aside as much as half our ‘revenue reserve’ to plan and finance
additional space and what for us would amount to a major refurbishment. This
would involve the creation of more functional space for staff and volunteers –
giving us 3 or 4 additional offices. It would involve relocating the serving areas
closer to the kitchen. We have also asked a firm of architects to draw up some
plans which I have just received. Consultations have recommenced though as yet
we have little idea of costs. We shall of course cast the net wide and rattle the
begging bowl vigorously, but should we go ahead we will once again place
ourselves on the fundraising treadmill which has haunted my long night of the
soul this many a year.
It speaks volumes of the staff that they endorsed this big idea without any
reference to how it could impact on their future job security. But then, have we
not every good reason to believe that you will continue to walk with us every step
of the way. Ten years ago we set a target of £50,000 – £60,000 and you met it
with something to spare. This year the target was £250,000 AND YOU MET IT!!
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We are well into our new financial year and our budget including capital works
could well exceed £300,000. Should we fail to make it, we know it will NOT be for
any lack of endeavour, commitment, loyalty and self denying generosity on your
part and for the encouragement and faith we receive from you, you have our
undying thanks.
STATISTICS
This section has usually elaborated – briefly – the column of numbers which cover
the centrefold of this report. The data captures the activities and services which
can be categorised.
Over 3,000 showers taken in the last year
Demand for clothes washing
facilities has doubled in the last
year
Nearly 1,500 haircuts in 2010/11
Much of what is done at Cornerstone demands not so much a number as a
narrative. Were there a box for numbers of people re-housed in the year, the
number for the period covered by this report would have been between 50 and
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60. But that would convey little of the herculean efforts of the staff which
resulted in these offers of permanent housing and the work they did to get the
prospective new tenant from street to flat and ensure that he/she stayed there.
The average number of hot meals prepared and served each month now exceeds 3,200 with a total of
over 38,500 in the last year.
Sufficient to say the task demands the patience of a saint and the diplomatic skills
of a worldly wise ambassador. A first visit often requires a yawningly long wait
and a withering interrogation. To succeed once is quite an achievement; to be
instrumental in the ‘homing’ of over 50 homeless persons and rough sleepers is
simply astonishing.
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APRIL 2010 TO MARCH 2011
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
TOTAL CLIENTS
3679
3660
3964
3826
HOT MEALS SERVED
2980
2928
3171
3061
CLIENTS USING CLOTHING STORES
1067
1025
1189
1186
FURNITURE REFERRALS
7
19
10
20
CLIENTS FOR SOLICITOR
15
20
14
29
HELP WITH ACCOMMODATION
109
191
233
225
HELP WITH EMPLOYMENT
12
32
35
27
HELP WITH BENEFITS
112
236
156
223
HELP WITH SOCIAL SERVICES
6
26
15
22
HELP FOR DRUG ABUSE
9
11
5
6
HELP FOR ALCOHOL ABUSE
12
16
10
17
HELP WITH DR's APPOINTMENTS
29
70
51
52
VISIT CLIENTS IN HOSPITAL
1
8
2
13
VISIT CLIENTS IN PRISON
0
1
1
1
VISIT CLIENTS IN DETOX CENTRES
0
0
2
1
HOUSEHOLD VISITS
0
3
3
12
FAMILY FOOD PARCELS ISSUED
76
159
96
101
HAIRCUTS/SHAVES GIVEN
87
150
57
80
SHOWERS TAKEN
135
338
242
184
CLIENTS USING WASHING MACHINE
38
45
68
93
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES
127
278
191
241
OTHER ACTIVITIES
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AUGUST
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MARCH TOTAL
4191
4554
3840
4267
3839
3727
3961
4332
47840
3353
3643
3149
3414
2994
3019
3367
3466
38544
1257
1503
1152
1280
1113
1118
1228
1473
14591
27
12
11
18
28
14
10
46
222
25
28
24
26
13
26
32
56
308
120
256
188
238
123
97
118
106
2004
46
50
44
75
39
90
56
191
697
178
149
140
229
177
135
146
212
2093
24
11
13
36
14
26
28
48
269
29
12
14
17
12
9
20
23
167
12
23
7
21
16
24
11
32
201
70
45
34
90
66
65
47
83
702
15
11
6
11
9
20
7
16
119
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
7
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
6
9
7
23
4
4
9
25
105
102
104
112
144
167
139
84
144
1428
203
147
50
139
173
101
97
198
1482
381
300
250
303
169
176
216
338
3032
87
78
75
101
68
69
69
90
881
118
210
174
282
205
203
212
229
2470
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With an average of nearly 4,000 clients through the doors each month,
a busy day can see over 2oo people in the Day Centre
Statistics count for rather less these days unless they incorporate outcomes and
impact. We are going to look closely at this during the coming year but this we
know for sure: there are fewer adults begging in the streets of Manchester because of the
work we do
 there are fewer people sleeping on its streets and in its doorways
 there are fewer adults clogging up the A&E triage system
 fewer people occupying police cells
 fewer people enslaved by alcohol and drugs
 fewer families going without food (yes – we do quite a lot of food parcels
for families with young children!).
One could go on but even this abbreviated list should convince those in search of
impact that Cornerstone occupies the upper reaches of the Richter scale!
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VOLUNTEERS
At our most recent Volunteers Celebration Day, Fr. Mulheran told us the story of
the platoon commander in Vietnam who came across a statue of Our Blessed Lord
which had been reduced to fragments. He and his men collected and
reassembled the pieces – except for the hands which were nowhere to be found.
The Lieutenant promised the priest that he would commission a new pair of
hands and return with them. The parish priest suggested that the statue was
complete as it was, since it represented perfectly the inescapable fact that God
has no hands but ours – yours and mine! It is a powerful thought and one which
uniquely captures the essence of those countless women and men who give of
their time and talents in the service of the homeless in our City and beyond. We
are so fully in your debt that no words can close the gap. Thank you and God
Bless you.
Breakfast is served from 10:30 am each day
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THE STAFF
This treasure at the heart of Cornerstone is as durable and enduring as ever. We
acquired the services of Richard Lilly early in the period under review and he
immediately set to work on the layout etc. of the 2009/2010 Annual Report.
Richard is an IT lead and we have made great strides since he joined us as
evidenced by the launch of our website and (I hope) the professional ‘feel’ of this
report.
With the acquisition of Benham House, a caretaker was needed. We were very
blessed in having on hand a long time friend of Cornerstone, Gary Coward, who
agreed to move into the house and add to his already modest involvement as
‘cleaning auxiliary’ – the role of shepherd of the ‘Benham sheep’. That Benham
House has proved to be such a phenomenal success in so short a time owes a
huge amount to Gary.
As for the rest of the team I invite you to join me in thanking God that they have
been blessed with the health, the energy and the giftedness which has enabled
them not only to continue the good work but to take it to the next level. The
imprint and impact of Cornerstone is well evidenced and persuasive not least in
all areas of re-housing where so many people came to us without a roof over their
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head during the year and who are now enjoying their own private domains.
Likewise, the health gains of those who have enjoined with staff in looking at diet,
nutrition and addressing issues around drugs and alcohol, are now being more
widely recognised in and around the City.
Finally and as always it is only right and proper to acknowledge the example and
leadership of Sr. Lucy. Quite simply she is an inspiration to us all.
IN MEMORIAM
In last year’s Annual Report there was a very touching photograph of M tending
the garden he created at his own expense and by his own efforts in a prominent
corner of our grounds.
M had experienced a disjointed childhood and youth but found some joy in his
university education. Before he could enjoy the fruits of academe, he became the
subject of psychological symptomatology which was to dog the rest of his adult
life. Drink exacerbated his aural hallucinations and heavy smoking caused
circulatory and respiratory problems. When well he offered significant help in the
operation of the Centre and when less well he needed extensive help. His
hoarding, which defeated the best endeavours of staff and volunteers, eventually
led to his admission to Park House. Although discharged, his self care was so poor
that Cornerstone offered assistance with hygiene, nutrition and a fresh outfit of
clothing every day. Despite intensive help he was admitted to hospital once again
and died during the Christmas holiday. Cornerstone was well represented at his
funeral in his native Southport. Requiescat in Pace
Our thoughts are also with the following ‘regulars’ who died during the year:
Amanda Holt
David Patterson
Bridie
Tony Garside
Steve Fenton
Tommy Pearson
William Wormold
Helena Grundy
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“FEED MY LAMBS: FEED MY SHEEP”
This Gospel command given to Peter, the first Apostle, is central to Cornerstone’s
mission. That we do this so well owes so much to so many.
Special thanks are however owed to:
Emerge Fareshare
Prêt A Manger
and
EAT
You really do make a difference!
THE NETWORK
Cornerstone is central to the work of a vast range of agencies … statutory,
voluntary, community and individual. We add value to what they do.
To list all of them would take up too much space .. examples:
 20 hostels/commercial hotels (seeking food and clothing for destitute
residents)
 Counted In (Manchester City Council)
 Homeless Mental Health Team
 Social Services
 Benefits Agency
 Pension Service
 Probation
 Greater Manchester Police (Missing Persons, clothing etc)
 Irish Community Care
 English Churches Housing
 People First Housing Association
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CLIENT STORIES
B has been living rough on the streets for a number of years, during
which time he has been coming to Cornerstone. He lived with his
parents until they died. He found himself unable to cope, developed a
drink problem, lost his home and found himself on the streets.
B finds it difficult to place trust in others. He feels more comfortable
within himself when on his own and on the street, than he does when
settled in accommodation. We noticed B was becoming particularly ill
towards the end of 2010. He ended up in hospital with an injured
shoulder for a number of weeks and we were aware that he was to be
discharged back to the streets with no plan in place to improve his
situation.
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The decision was made to help B address his accommodation situation
and reduce the risk of harm. Initially, we offered short term respite in
the form of a bed in a house Cornerstone has available specifically for
this purpose. Initially B only stayed in the house on the odd night. It is
some measure of B’s issues that he preferred to stay on the streets
than in a comfortable, warm, dry house. As we won his trust we found
that we could persuade him of the benefit of staying for a number of
weeks. During his time at the house, we witnessed a dramatic change
in B’s mental state. Where previously it was barely possible to
converse with him, he now enjoyed engaging in conversation.
Additionally, it gave us a window of opportunity to persuade him of the
benefit of getting into suitable accommodation of his own. It was an
extended process, but we secured him a place in sheltered
accommodation and organised the move for him. This involved
registering him with a GP and ensuring he was getting the necessary
medical support, plus sourcing all the contents of the flat including a
cooker, fridge, sofa, furniture etc. The time this took was extensive,
but was necessary to give B the best chance of a safe and secure
future. B has greatly reduced his intake of alcohol making his life far
more manageable. The future for B is brighter than could have been
envisaged just a few months ago.
J
J arrived at Cornerstone in early 2011. He came across as a very
likeable person who was potentially vulnerable. Whilst very happy and
positive in certain respects, he also appeared extremely anxious.
Investigation revealed behavioural problems, a personality disorder
and schizophrenia.
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J had left home in the Midlands to move to Manchester seeking
independence from his parents with whom he had been living until then.
The friend he had chosen to stay with moved away and he found himself
living rough on the street. Having never lived independently and without
basic life skills, Cornerstone needed to step in and address the situation.
We helped in a range of ways, first by referring him to another agency to
get him into supported accommodation. Beyond addressing this basic but
acute need, we’ve been able to help J gain some basic living skills such as
being able to wash his clothes and encouraging him to take care of
himself. We’ve helped him build confidence in himself and others and
helped him reduce the anxiety he experiences. This has, in turn, helped
him immeasurably improve his ability to manage his life on a day to day
basis.
“Cornerstone helped me so much. I was able to get food, have a shower,
wash my clothes and use the phone”.
S
S has been coming to Cornerstone for years. She was brought up in care
and has a history of poor mental health and drug and alcohol use. Her
drug use progressed from recreational drug use to a 14 year heroin
addiction. Her lifestyle has been chaotic and with little opportunity for
her to improve her situation. She came to the Day Centre because it’s a
place where she felt safe and could get food.
S gave birth to a child with health difficulties and shortly after the child
was removed by social services due to concerns for its well-being. This
led to a rapid and severe deterioration in S’s mental state. Whilst she
could not see it herself, others saw that her behaviour was of extreme
concern.
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Recognising someone in great danger and in need of support, Cornerstone
took a direct interest in S’s circumstances. This initially led to her being
diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia. She was sectioned and spent a
month as an inpatient. Whilst in hospital she was visited twice a week by
one of our volunteer staff. When she returned to her flat she found it in a
terrible state. Drug addicts had been in and removed the boiler, the
copper pipes and the radiators. As her flat was uninhabitable,
Cornerstone managed to secure her a place in supported accommodation.
Cornerstone also played a key role in ensuring that S was engaged with
mental health services following her discharge thereby ensuring continuity
of care. S faced great financial difficulty as she had not been in receipt of
benefits for 12 months. Cornerstone resolved these issues and gained her
some degree of financial security through having her benefits backdated
and continue to help her to manage her finances on an ongoing basis.
Through working closely with S, she was able to stabilise her medication
and is awaiting a detox programme. She was developing healthy
relationships and was learning who she can and cannot trust. Though we
recognised that S would face many more challenges in the course of
addressing her issues, through taking a direct interest in her wellbeing and
spending time with her, we felt that she had every chance of leading a
safe, healthy and, ultimately, happy life. In S’s words …
“I like coming to Cornerstone. I feel safe there. I get a lot of help from the
staff”.
Unfortunately S’s case illustrates the challenges and the nature of the
work undertaken at Cornerstone, as recent developments suggest that S is
returning to patterns of behaviour that give us cause for concern.
However, Cornerstone will continue to be there to give people such as S
every chance to address their issues and lead happier, more secure lives.
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ANNUAL REPORT
2010 -2011
Mission Statement
Our Mission, inspired by Christian values, is to create a safe, caring environment,
where each person is valued and respected in a Centre which provides services
and facilities to minimise the effects of poverty, distress, social exclusion or illness
amongst adults.
1. Aims
To meet the needs of homeless, disadvantaged and isolated adults, by
providing a basic service which will enhance their quality of life. The Centre
gives companionship, support, practical help and enables them access to
other statutory and voluntary services.
2. Objectives
The aims will be met in the following objectives:
 By creating a welcoming, safe and relaxed environment for anyone
visiting the Centre.
 By providing an opportunity for users to discuss their needs.
 By providing food at a very low cost (or crisis food parcels, as
appropriate) for users of the Centre.
 By promoting personal hygiene amongst the Centre users through the
provision of shower, shaving and laundry facilities.
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2010 -2011
ANNUAL REPORT
 By providing good quality clothing at a very low cost or free (as
appropriate).
 By assisting with the provision of basic health care and access to, and
liaison with, local health services.
 By providing facilities for social, leisure and educational activities for
users of the Centre.
 By liaising with other organisations, voluntary and statutory, and by
directing users of the Centre to such other agencies or resources as
might be appropriate.
It is our intention that, with help, users will come to recognise their
potential, achieve their maximum quality of life, become at one with
themselves despite any limitations they might have, and to become more
integrated into the community.
3. Ethos
The Centre has an ‘open door’ policy and was established to aid and assist
homeless and disadvantaged people. The Centre functions with a Christian
Ethos und an Equal Opportunities Policy which does not allow
discrimination of any kind, irrespective of Race, Colour, Nationality or
Ethnic Origin, Age, Sexual Orientation or Marital Status.
The Christian Ethos is central to the way the service is delivered. The core
values are ones which are shared by other faiths and philosophies of life.
4. Values
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To respect the dignity of each person
To assist the disadvantaged in our society
To create an atmosphere of calm, warmth and welcome
To develop relationships of respect, not condescension
To be open to change, to the views of others and to social concerns, and
then allow these to inform our actions
ANNUAL REPORT
2010 -2011
Management Committee
Fr David Glover
Sr Joan O’Gorman
Sr Lucy Dunne
Mrs Delia Dickenson
Mrs Maureen Doyle
Sr Maria Macpherson
Mr Richard Hogben
Mr Tony Murray
Centre Director
Sr Lucy Dunne
Salaried Staff
Mrs Angela Shannon (Assistant Manager)
Miss Bridget Wilkie (Support Worker)
Mr Alex O’Neill (Support Worker)
Mrs Marjorie Coates (Support Worker, Job Share)
Mrs Ann Mitchell (Support Worker, Job Share)
Mrs Dawn Cotton (Cook)
Mr Billy Duncan (Support Worker)
Richard Lilly (Support Worker)
Gary Coward (Caretaker)
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2010 -2011
ANNUAL REPORT
Cornerstone Day Centre is a self
standing project under the umbrella of
Caritas Diocese of Salford
Registered Charity Number 1125808
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