Our Charity Partnership with Headway East London
Late last year, our first blog post on our updated Charity & Community Support Policy explained our plans to officially partner with two charities this year. Our second charity partner for 2018 is Headway East London, an independent local charity offering specialist support to brain injury survivors.
The Hackney Beer Hop
We’ve been supporting the fundraising events of Headway East London since the start of the year and on Saturday 11th August, we are hosting a Hackney Beer Hop pub crawl to raise money for the charity. We will be hoppin’ around some of the best craft beer hubs on our very own doorstep in Hackney, hosting attendees first for a beer and mini-tour at our brewery underneath Hackney Downs station, and then on to five pubs and taprooms, stopping for a beer and a jolly time at each. Check out the venues involves and buy tickets for the Beer Hop here.
Beer for a good cause
Proceeds of the ticket sales, raffle tickets and the profits of a couple Five Points kegs on the bar at the Pembury Tavern (our new pub and the final stop on the Beer Hop) will all be going to Headway to support their work and services across 13 boroughs in London. Their occupational projects include an art studio, writing projects and a professional kitchen where members cook each day for other members, volunteers, staff and visitors. Alongside this specialist support, Headway aims to promote awareness and understanding of brain injury to the wider public, helping reduce stigma and increase the visibility of an often-hidden disability.
East London Community
It’s incredibly important to the Five Points to remain community focused and be present, supportive and integrated within our local community. Based a short walk from our warehouse, Headway are always looking for ways to connect and learn from their local neighbours, for example through hosting artist residencies at their studio, Submit to Love, or group work with musical organisations. Some of the Five Points team visited the centre for lunch at the centre earlier in the year and were blown away by the creative, safe space that Headway provides. The art studio was colourful, the lunch delicious, and members, staff and volunteers fantastically welcoming.
Staff Involvement and Support
As part of our updated Charity and Community Support Policy, all of the Five Points staff have been given the option to take a day’s paid leave to work on a charity or community project of their choosing. We’re really proud that our Drayman Matteo recently completed a 10km race and raised over £600 for Headway. Nice one, Matt!
“We’re delighted to kick off our 21st year as one of Five Points’ charities” says Rosy Ross, Fundraising & Development Officer at Headway East London. “We are proud to partner with a similarly local and independent organisation – and fellow Living Wage employer.”
