In June 2007, parts of north and central England were hit by a series of devastating floods, the worst in the UK for decades. Sheffield in South Yorkshire was one of the worst affected places and even though the foundation’s offices and staff were themselves affected, the South Yorkshire Community Foundation immediately set up a flood disaster relief fund in conjunction with the four local authorities, a local radio station and Yorkshire Bank.

Starting with just a kettle, toaster and a typewriter the club has been transformed into a respite for the homeless from life on the streets.

Streetlytes run two other projects and feed close to 400 people every month. They provide support with a night drop-in centre, peer-support groups and help with finding housing. They provide mentoring and refer people on to drug rehabilitation programmes but perhaps most importantly are a constant presence in the lives of those they try to help and continue to look after them indefinitely.

When Robert Bartella, hotelier and owner of the Heritage Leisure Group, approached his solicitor, Graeme Atkinson of Wortley Redmayne Kershaw, to set up a charitable trust, Graeme recognised that the service offered by Essex Community Foundation offered the family a more proactive involvement and directed them there.