A Rotherham soap company has launched a £50,000 Crowdfunder in a bid to tackle homelessness across the region.
Labre’s Hope are aiming to raise enough money to ensure they can carry on employing those who have been affected by losing their homes as well as ensuring their mental health support continues.
Director and founder, Aaron Probert, said: “It’ll be used to continue employing people who experience homelessness. It may we extend our part-time program where we offer an additional 20 part-time positions.”
Labre’s Hope, which was established in February this year, also guarantees those they employ two hours of mental health support and two hours of employment coaching per week.
Referrals to Labre’s Hope are made through their partner charities and organisations which includes, Crisis UK, South Yorkshire Housing Association, Rush House, and Rotherham Council.
Mr Probert, who’s non-profit company, produces and sell luxury handcrafted cosmetics, said: “As we are start-up non-profit, revenue really matters in helping us get to the point where we are self-sustainable.
“The 50,000 pounds be split into a variety of things. It might be the case of where we look at providing people who are here currently with additional skills, which they really want to access to get to the place in their careers.”
Donations to the Crowdfunder are being supported by the Aviva Cost of Living Boost, which will match donations up to the value of £250.
The company are offering rewards in exchange for donations, including a ‘Seven Year Soap’ prize for the value of £2,500 which will get you six bars of soap per month for seven years in a customised box.
According to Labre’s Hope, currently 270,000 people experience homelessness across the country, with a further 66,000 people forecast to find themselves impacted in 2024.
Mr Probert explained the idea for the start-up was born out of his university dissertation on how to end homelessness and hopes the company will become a national organisation.
He said: “I got involved in charity and non-profits and realised very quickly this is what I wanted to do with my life. In my second year, I got to know a lady who was experiencing homelessness whose usual spot was across the street from me.”
“I was 20 and I really wanted to do something about it.”
Just seven months after opening their doors, Labre’s Hopes have already transformed lives and helped reintegrate people back into society and the world of work.
Mr Probert explained that for every pound and every product Labre’s Hope sell, the money is invested back into the organisation to provide the jobs, mental health support and the career coaching,
You can read about Labre’s Hope success stories here and donate to the Crowdfunder here.
