We help people who are, or have recently been homeless find employment How does the Foundation Work? Find Out MorePeter 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 NowWe help people who are, or have recently beenhomeless find employment Can you help someone take the next stepBecome an Employer Become a Fundraiser ... it’s easier than you think! Raise money and make a difference to peoples lives Become a Fundraiser We’ve secured employment 22 previously homeless people We’ve placed 23 into training We’ve successfully referred 16 people into housing assessment Remain in meaningful employment 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 HomepageHidden 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...The Howarth Foundation Quiz NightThe Howarth Foundation would like to invite you to the quiz night at Revell Ward Suite, The John Smiths Stadium, Huddersfield on Thursday 1st October 2020 at 6pm. Teams of 6 will go head to head in this ‘pub style’ quiz which will test your general knowledge and ability to work together as a team. The night will be one of fun but have you got a competitive streak to be crowned the 2020 winner and take on last year’s champions? All money raised will be in aid of The Howarth Foundation and the homeless clients which are supported in to employment across Kirklees and Leeds. Price: £250.00 per team of 6 Complimentary food on arrival and a paid drinks bar will be available on the evening. Please feel free to take part in the raffle on the night too with some great prizes up for grabs, also a prize will be awarded to the best team name so get your thinking caps on! Question 1 – Will the Stadium be open to host the event? The events business at The John Smith’s Stadium is part of the hospitality sector and as such is adhering to all the same guidelines as hotels, restaurants, cafes and pubs. All of these sectors are now open for business and the Stadium is now therefore actively open for business. Question 2 – Will numbers be limited? We expect that the size of events we are able to hold will also steadily rise over the coming weeks, as infection rates continue to fall. From a THF perspective, we are looking for the event to be more intimate, with a maximum of 80-90 people attending. Question 3 – Can we still social distance at such event? The Stadium is of course, particularly well placed to facilitate social distancing, because of the size and number of suites they have: their Revell Ward Suite for instance can hold up to 350 people on tables of ten. It is therefore very easy to socially distance smaller groups, both around large tables and by spacing out the tables. Question 4 – What will happen if the event is cancelled? THF is confident that the event will go ahead on the date and time arranged, if for any reason it cannot we will offer an alternative date or a refund of your money. Andy, Chris and I would love for you all to be there for a night of fun, laughter and a feel of getting back to ‘normality’. You never know your team may even win! To confirm details of the night – Date: 1th October 2020 Venue: Revell Ward Suite, The John Smith’s Stadium Time: 6pm start Price: £250.00 per team of 6 Contact Natalie on natalie@howarthfoundation.org.uk to place your team in the running.... Read more...Chris Sylvester Marks One Year at The Howarth FoundationLess than three years ago today Chris Sylvester hit rock bottom. The previous 24 years of Chris’ life was spent lurching between prison and homelessness whilst in the grips of life long heroin addiction. Today marks Chris’ 1st anniversary in full time employment at The Howarth Foundation as Client Coordinator, his first ‘real’ job since entering recovery on the St Georges Crypt, Growing Rooms programme. CEO of The Howarth Foundation, Andy Howarth said “Natalie and I engaged with Chris in the very early stages of his recovery and saw something in him that we felt very special. He demonstrated many transferable skills and we decided in those initial meetings that he had great potential.” Chris has been furloughed since April 2020 but THF is pleased to announce that Chris will be back working for 1 day per week as of 6th July 2020. Chris’ role will include sourcing individuals who are ready to take the next step back into employment, working in partnership with those providing support and addressing the immediate needs of the homeless. Congratulations Chris!... Read more...6th Annual Music ExtravaganzaThis year will be our 6th annual Music Extravaganza, the planning of which, we are ploughing ahead with despite the restrictions that we face at present; we want everyone to have something to look forward to once this terrible time is over, so intend to make this event bigger and better than ever! Now is the time that, as a small charity, we desperately need your support. Events like the Music Extravaganza are what allow us to do the work which we do – supporting the homeless and vulnerable in Leeds and Kirklees, taking them on a journey from Street2Feet, offering and supporting each person with meaningful, sustainable employment. I’m sure you will agree, the current pandemic is likely to cause more people to be at risk of homelessness and poverty, the numbers will rise and our service will be more vital than ever in the months to come but by purchasing a table, we can make sure that our service survives this storm and help all those who will be desperate to get back on their feet The Music Extravaganza will be held at the fabulous John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield this year on 6th November 2020, with amazing live music, delicious food and a night of fun and laughter! To avoid missing out on such a great night to raise funds for The Howarth Foundation, book your table now! Table Prices £600.00 for a table of 10 £720.00 for a table of 12 If buying a table isn’t for you then we have advertising opportunities in our brochure which will be received by over 200 guests on the evening, please ask for further details – natalie@howarthfoundation.org.uk.... Read more...Leeds Community Foundation FundingLeeds Community Foundation supports charities and voluntary groups across Leeds in addressing inequalities and working together to help create opportunities for those that most need help. I was delighted when we received information that a new grant ‘Leeds Community Foundation Resilience Fund’ had opened to support small charities in the wake of Covid-19 and were invited to apply. The uncertain times that we have all found ourselves in has had a massive impact on our charity and we have found ourselves in very strange times, one which we were unsure as to how it was going to pan out. The Howarth Foundation had to halt the day to day operations of assisting our homeless clients back into employment by furloughing all members of the team until we knew more about the pandemic and the effect that this was having on the homeless individuals in Leeds as well as our partner agencies. It was amazing to hear about the particular round of funding and we applied for a grant so that we could resume our day to day activities, keep helping those that need our support, give a helping hand to partner agencies who are certainly under a lot of pressure to meet the immediate needs of the homeless and provide some certainty that THF was still very much in the mix. I would like to say a massive thank you to Leeds Community Foundation for awarding us the grant and allowing Natalie, General Manager, to get back at the helm alongside myself to make sure that we come out of this stronger than ever and ready to continue making a difference to those looking to make that change from Street2Feet. Andy Howarth... Read more...Peter Howarth – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (Unplugged)Our Ambassador Peter Howarth, lead singer of the legendary sixties iconic pop band The Hollies supports The Howarth Foundation. The song is about reaching out and helping mankind. “Peter and I have been friends for many years and although we share the same surname, he ain’t heavy and he’s not my brother’ just a lovely man and great friend.” – Andy Howarth Peter Howarth, lead singer of the legendary 60’s pop band will be appearing on the Andrew Phillips show, Premier Christian Radio between 11am and 12 noon Wednesday 6th May singing and playing unplugged ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ and will be promoting, as our ambassador, The Howarth Foundation and the work that we do. Peter Howarth – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Unplugged). Video by HowarthMiller... Read more...Portable Offices’ Leeds depot raises life-changing funds for The Howarth FoundationPortable Offices at Highcliffe Industrial Estate, Bruntcliffe Lane, Leeds has raised £1000 for the Howarth Foundation – a charity that supports local homeless and recently re-housed jobless people by getting them back into work. Portable Offices established a variety of fundraising activities throughout 2019/20 and the Leeds office team were delighted to achieve a landmark figure of £1000. This will go to fund the valuable support the Howarth Foundation provides to local homeless and vulnerable people including the charity’s ‘Business Building Futures – Street 2 Feet’ initiative which supports homeless individuals getting back into full or part time employment or training. Established by the Howarth family three and a half years ago, the charity works with individuals to provide food, clothing and rehabilitation where needed and identifies opportunities for them within local businesses and authorities. Founder, Andy Howarth, commented: “We are delighted with the donation from Portable Offices which is a massive injection for a charity of our size which receives no state funding. “We have established some great relationships with local businesses who are working in a caring and compassionate manner with us to help place a growing number of former street people. It is vital that our business partners understand the challenges that lie ahead and that we can correctly identify the appropriate individuals for any openings within local businesses or authorities. The Howarth Foundation has helped a growing number of street people back into mainstream society including three individuals now working for Leeds United Football Club – one of their business partners. Portable Offices’ Managing Director, Adrian Witty, who lives in Leeds, commented: “We are delighted to have made a significant contribution to such a worthwhile cause and we wish the Howarth Foundation continued success.” Pictured: Chris Sylvester from The Howarth Foundation with Becky Scholefield, Depot Manager at Portable Offices’ Leeds Branch.... Read more... Lacie’s Story Dominic’s Story Scott’s Journey Chris’ Journey Gavin’s Journey “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.