Chris and Covid We help people who are, or have recently been homeless find employmentHow does the Foundation Work?Find Out MorePeter Howarth - copyPeter Howarth – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (Unplugged)Our Ambassador Peter Howarth, lead singer of The Hollies supports The Howarth FoundationOur Ambassador Peter Howarth of The Hollies supports The Howarth FoundationListen NowNext StepWe help people who are, or have recently beenhomeless find employment Can you help someone take the next stepBecome an Employer FundraisingBecome a Fundraiser ... it’s easier than you think! Raise money and make a difference to peoples lives Become a Fundraiser We’ve secured employment 26 previously homeless people We’ve placed 34 into training We’ve successfully referred 17 people into housing assessment Remain in meaningful employment We’ve successfully got 2 people on the road to recovery. We’ve placed 7 people into volunteering work Become an Employer Give the gift of employment Become a Fundraiser It’s easier than you think Become a Volunteer Do something incredible Latest News HomepageLooking for a Electrician and could give Wayne a chance?This is our client Wayne, who was referred into THF by his recovery program Spacious Places. Wayne came to us when he was ready for the ‘next step’ back into employment, to ensure that he was truly ready we worked in close partnership with his support worker and probation. Over a number of months we spent time getting to know Wayne who has led a previously chaotic lifestyle of addiction and prison, but has since turned his life around by engaging in recovery, anger management, developing healthy relationships and now having full custody of his daughter. THF even provided Wayne with work on our Hidden Owls project. Since then, THF has supported Wayne into training to gain a City & Guilds 18th Edition qualification (which he passed with flying colours!) and are now looking to match him with a suitable employer. Are you looking for a sparky and could give Wayne a chance? Contact us on natalie@howarthfoundation.org.uk... Read more...The Howarth Foundation meets with The Lodge Of FriendshipMembers of The Lodge of Friendship met with the Howarth Foundation after sponsoring a grant for £3000 from the PGM Fund to help set up a social enterprise to help former homeless citizens in Leeds, hearing first hand of the benefits.... Read more...Oldest shopper in town This week we had a visit from our oldest shopper so far, 94 years old Joan Toulson, mum of Helen Howarth, one of Hidden Owls 🦉 founders. Joan, who lives in Birkenshaw, absolutely loved the shop and spent a good time browsing before leaving a donation towards the charity. ... Read more...Gold and silver for Howarth Foundation ambassadorsOur lovely ambassadors Jack Laugher and Lois Toulson won gold and silver respectively in Tokyo in the world championships last week. They have both been selected for the British team for this year’s 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.... Read more...The Howarth Foundation Makes Headline NewsChris Sylvester, of The Howarth Foundation, as featured on the front cover of the Yorkshire Evening Post… From taking heroin in the school toilets at 12 to charity ambassador – how an Armley lad got off the “nightmare carousel” of prison and drugs It was in the school toilets at the age of 12 that Chris Sylvester first took heroin… Read the full article here >... Read more...Celebrating Hidden Owls LaunchWe have some fantastic news to share with you. Our Hidden Owls project has been an absolute success so far. We’ve been inundated with visitors to the shop and continue to extend a warm invitation to any that might like to call in over the next few days. Many have been asking how they can support this exciting initiative, and in answer to that question, if you could either call in with any donations from clothes through to gifts and even small items of furniture, it would be most welcomed. We are also looking for volunteers to help in the shop as things go from strength to strength. If you have any time available please feel free to call Natalie on 07950982798 to discuss it further. Thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way, and here’s to the future. ... Read more...Hidden OwlsHidden Owls is a community based project created to support and enhance the lives of underprivileged individuals who have been subject to homelessness, destitution and or lived a chaotic lifestyle. The method of support is to offer a programme of reintegration referred to as , ‘The Stree2Feet Project’ to those who are looking to re-enter mainstream society but are not yet ready to take the leap into employment but desperate to begin living a normal life that we all take for granted. Hidden Owls will offer training in retail, finance management , CV writing, interview techniques and other key areas key to entry into employment but, more importantly, will provide an opportunity to gain confidence, re-establish relationships , make friends, be with others with a similar story and ultimately find their way into society and be supported into meaningful employment through The Howarth Foundation. This will be achieved by working as a team from a small training facility in Armley, Leeds in the form of a retail outlet selling good quality but reasonably priced donated merchandise where clients can interact with members of the public whilst being supported by businesspeople, training specialists, local community volunteers and personal support workers from partner agencies. The staff are recruited from those who have been homeless, recently re-housed, sofa surfing, fleeing domestic violence, subject to harassment, in unsafe or unsuitable accommodation and those without a roof to call their own and, wherever possible, the team will also be enlisted from those who are in recovery from mind altering substances, EU refugees, and those who have been subject to harassment, human trafficking, manipulation and or control by a third party. Hidden Owls is a ‘Street2Feet’ project supporting recovery and re-integration whilst being financially sustainable and self-sufficient through its retail outlet. This is not just a second hand shop, it’s a re-integration and recovery programme for those less fortunate but ready to take ‘The Next Step’... Read more...Foundation trustee shares bowel cancer experience to help others march on cancer“Cancer was one of those things that I thought would never happen to me. I want to urge other men not to ignore the warning signs, and not to be frightened. There are treatments out there, and an early diagnosis will save your life.” As a trustee of the Leeds United Foundation, chairman of a law firm and managing director of a charity for homeless people, Andy Howarth was a self-proclaimed ‘workaholic’. Determined to live life to the full, he spent his spare time at Elland Road watching his beloved Leeds United, going to music concerts and gigs, and spending time with his wife and two sons. So, it’s no surprise that when he started feeling unwell, Andy put it to the back of his mind. Likening himself to Atticus Finch, a character from Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Andy describes how stubbornness delayed him from seeking medical help. “I love work, I love life, I love sport, I love my football club, and I didn’t want anything to interfere with that,” Andy explains. “So whilst I knew I wasn’t well, it was never going to be anything major for me. It was going to be something that paracetamols would sort out, or an extra glass of wine, or both – and I’d be fine.” Thankfully, Andy’s wife of 40 years, Helen, knew there was something seriously wrong with his health. She urged him to go to the doctors – ‘bullied him into it’ as Andy says – and in September 2018, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. “I was so frightened of going to the doctors. But when I finally went, my doctor was absolutely wonderful,” Andy admits. “He almost immediately recognised that it was bowel cancer, and once I was diagnosed, I was whisked through the treatment programme. It was almost bewildering because it all happened so quickly. “The medical teams were incredible. We talk about the NHS and how good it is, but until you’ve been on a treatment programme like that you just don’t realise how professional, how dedicated the staff are. It really opened my eyes, and I can’t thank them enough.” Within a week of being diagnosed, Andy had surgery to remove the cancer. He then began a six-month course of chemotherapy – but not before requesting special permission from his oncologist to see his hero, Paul McCartney, perform live in Glasgow. “Even then, I didn’t want to put my treatment first,” Andy says. “The chemotherapy had to be started within a certain time and I left it to the very last day because I had to see ‘Macca’. When I did finally start the chemo, it was brutal. But I got through it and I came out the other end.” During his treatment and recovery, Andy turned to both football and music to help him through. A Leeds United fan since he was 10 years old, Andy was inspired and motivated by the club’s success under the new ownership of Andrea Radrizzani and the management of Marcelo Bielsa. He said: “Leeds United were so supportive throughout my whole experience. When I was in hospital following surgery, Helen and my son were invited to watch a match in the hospitality area, and the directors really looked after them. It cheered me up to know that they were having a good time. “When you’re as passionate about the football club as I am, Leeds United just keeps you going. The club is a massive part of the city. It’s in my blood, and I can’t imagine being without it. Without the football club and music, I think my recovery would have been a lot longer. It gave me strength.” Andy, now 67, has recently had blood tests and scans to check that the cancer hasn’t come back. The results were clear, but he will continue to be monitored for a further three years. “When I finished my chemotherapy, I wanted to ring the bell at the hospital to celebrate the end of my treatment,” Andy says. “But they said I can’t, not for another few years yet. So that’s hard. But physically I feel fantastic.” It wasn’t until his treatment had finished that Andy began to reflect on what he and his family had been through. He began to accept that things could have turned out very differently if he hadn’t sought medical advice when he did. “Emotionally I suffered not so much for myself, but for my kids, Gavin and Chris, and my wife. I felt like I was letting them down. They mean the world to me, and the thought of leaving them devastated me,” Andy explains. “My focus on work was to the detriment of my family. I felt as though I’d put them through hell, and that perhaps if I’d gone to the doctors earlier it may have been a much simpler process. My grandson, George, was born just after I was diagnosed, and it almost felt like I’d betrayed him. “But we got through it together, primarily through humour. We laughed a lot. We’re a strong family and we stick together. My wife saved my life. Thanks to her, I’ve had two years with my grandson, George, and six months with my granddaughter, Grace. I’m really lucky that I’m still here.” After finding out that Leeds United had chosen Yorkshire Cancer Research as its official charity partner for the 2020/21 season, Andy realised he had an opportunity to help raise awareness of cancer among the club’s extensive fanbase. He said: “I was delighted when I saw that Leeds United had teamed up with such an amazing cause. Anyone will tell you that I’m a really genuinely happy person. I’m grateful for what I’ve got and I recognise that I’m incredibly privileged. But going through cancer has had a massive effect on me mentally. “It makes you so vulnerable. You realise you’re not invincible, that you can’t just plough your way through things and it will get better. We need to look after ourselves, and not ignore signs that we might be ill. If there’s anything you’re not sure about, go and talk to your doctor. Having cancer treatment on a Saturday afternoon instead of watching football isn’t something you would choose to do, but it could save your life.” If you notice any cancer symptoms or unusual changes to your body, please speak to a doctor as soon as possible. As well as more common symptoms, such as a lump in your breast, blood in your poo or a cough that doesn’t go away, there are other less well-known symptoms that could be a sign of cancer. These include: Unintentional weight loss A new pain, for example in your stomach Unexplained tiredness Loss of appetite Feeling or being sick without a known cause Reference: Yorkshire Cancer Research Leeds United FC... Read more...National Lottery FundingA charity founded by the family behind an established Yorkshire HR, employment law and health and safety consultancy to help get people recovering from addiction and homelessness back into employment has been awarded a five-figure support grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. The Howarth Foundation, founded by Howarths, has been awarded the £43,000 grant from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, to help grow the reach of its services across Kirklees and Leeds. Since launching in February 2017, The Howarth Foundation has secured employment for more than 23 previously homeless individuals at some of the region’s best-known employers including The John Smith’s Stadium, Leeds United Football Club and Ringways Motor Group. The charity’s Business Building Futures – Street2Feet membership programme matches its clients, many of whom have led previously chaotic lifestyles and have often experienced homelessness, with businesses who are able to provide jobs across Kirklees and Leeds. The programme has also successfully placed over 23 previously homeless people into skills training and supported a large number with referrals for housing assessment. Andy Howarth, CEO at The Howarth Foundation, explained: “The concept of our Business Building Futures – Street2Feet programme is simple but effective. By marrying up the skills of our clients looking for work, with local businesses able to offer employment, we’re not only supporting people who have been homeless with a second chance at life, but also helping to reduce the burden on the tax payer by finding employment for those who might otherwise be totally reliant upon state benefit, or even worse, end up back on the street committing or becoming a victim of crime. Gavin Howarth, MD at Howarths and Chair of Trustees at The Howarth Foundation, added: “Our charity is entirely self-funded and relies heavily on fundraising events to generate income, so the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant financial impact. The money from The National Lottery Community fund will ensure we remain financially stable for at least the next six months and will be a huge support in ensuring we can continue to grow the reach of our work to help even more people across Kirklees and Leeds.” Funding for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, was made available from The Office of Civil Society, part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. *Press Release Published by Alex Mason PR ... Read more...These Boots Are Made For WalkingTHF is feeling the impact of the COVID 19 crises and, just like many other third sector businesses, is chasing its tail trying to keep afloat financially. Most of our fund raising events have been either cancelled or postponed and when making fund raising bids, we are competing against every other charity in the UK and regrettably all the businesses that have supported us in the past are also struggling to some degree. THF team has worked hard over the last three years and we are determined that we will survive. Andy, Natalie and Chris refuse to let all their hard work go to the wall and are feeling as positive as ever but could do with a bit of help from our friends who we would love to join us on Sunday 20th September 2020 for a walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Saltaire to Bingley and back, a leisurely distance of 8 miles. Bring the kids, the dog, your partner, someone else’s partner or someone else’s dog, invite other members of your family and friends, invite your staff to take part, bring a picnic and make this a proper family day out whilst supporting The Howarth Foundation. All we ask is that you get as much sponsorship as possible, but if you all came and got sponsored for £50 per person you could help us stay afloat for another month or two. To confirm the details are: Date: 20th September 2020 Time: 10.00am Location: Meeting in Saltaire at Salts Mill, walking along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal to the Five Rise Locks then back to Saltaire. The route should take 3-4 hours approx. Any amount raised no matter how big or small will be a lifeline to our charity. If you can’t take part but wish to sponsor Andy, Chris or myself then please do so via the donation page on the THF website or BACS. We have recently added a new ‘message’ function to the donation page, meaning that people donating/sponsoring can include a little note to say what the donation is for and who they are sponsoring if it is for a particular event, so please do leave us a message! Hope you can join us! We really do need your help 😊... Read more... Lacie’s Story Dominic’s Story “Scott is a very positive member of the team and although he is still working through some of his previous experiences this has not affected or has been a concern to the business in anyway. I am delighted with Scott and proud to have taken the decision to move out of my comfort zone for the greater good.” Steve Russell Managing Director The Howarth Foundation 5 2019-09-06T11:38:25+00:00 “Scott is a very positive member of the team and although he is still working through some of his previous experiences this has not affected or has been a concern to the business in anyway. I am delighted with Scott and proud to have taken the decision to move out of my comfort zone for the greater good.” Steve Russell Managing Director https://howarthfoundation.org.uk/testimonials/ringways/ “We have worked closely with The Howarth Foundation during Gavin’s first three months at LUFC, and following a successful review, he will become a full-time team member in 2019” Leeds United Foundation The Howarth Foundation 5 2019-09-06T11:39:52+00:00 “We have worked closely with The Howarth Foundation during Gavin’s first three months at LUFC, and following a successful review, he will become a full-time team member in 2019” Leeds United Foundation https://howarthfoundation.org.uk/testimonials/leeds-united-foundation/ 5 2 The Howarth Foundation Our Ambassador Our Wonderful Partners Natalie and I were so proud to be a part of the National Family Business Awards held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 14th July and… we won two awards; Family Business of the Year and, for our charitable work helping the homeless and guiding them back into employment and or training, the Big Heart Award. Natalie and I are passionate about our work and genuinely don’t look for reward so it was such a shock for us to be presented with such a prestigious award in the National Arena. A big thank you to all of you who believed in us and have supported us on our journey. </div