12/01/25
Solace Trust
The trustees of the charity are Mohammad Javad Badvie, Akram Badvie, and Jane Harrison. Donations of clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, and toiletries were received from the trustees, their families, friends, and members of the local community.
Jane Harrison managed the charity’s weekly operations during the year, supported by local volunteers when available. Trustees and volunteers also gave additional time outside normal operating hours to organise donations, maintain cleanliness, and manage the premises. Collection bins were made available outside the property to allow donations to be made outside of normal operating hours.
Contractors engaged to carry out work on the property, including MMV Contracting for the installation of the CCTV camera system, provided their services at a discounted rate. The cost of this work was met by a local business, Goodwill Motors Ltd.
The year was primarily focused on establishing the charity locally and raising awareness of its purpose among partner organisations, including the local council, children’s centres, and other local organisations and charities. As a result of this engagement, the charity received referrals for individuals and families from North Northamptonshire Council, Support North Northants, the NNC Rough Sleeping Team, NNC Citizens Advice Bureau, accommodation services, Accommodation Concern, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, Single Point of Access, homeless teams, tenancy support workers, Food Shack, and Home-Start.
By concentrating on the initial establishment of the charity and promoting its aims within the local community, the trustees believe the charity has successfully achieved its objectives for the year. During the year, the charity also applied for and was granted planning permission to establish a drive-through hand car wash in the front car park of the premises.
Goodwill Motors Ltd donated equipment for the car wash and provided a storage container for use in the car park. The trustees’ plans for the year ahead include completing the installation and drainage works required to bring the car wash into operation as soon as possible. The car wash is intended to generate income to support the charity’s ongoing running costs, improve long-term sustainability, and enable the future employment of staff under the trustees’ direction.
The trustees recognise that a key challenge during the year was securing volunteers on a consistent and ongoing basis. It is intended that this challenge will be addressed through the employment of paid staff funded by income generated from the car wash operation. The trustees are grateful for the charity’s main contribution from Goodwill Motors Ltd and wish to record their thanks for the company’s continued financial support.