Fourteen colleagues from video conferencing specialisits Blue Jeans, based in Capital House, spent Thursday 16 August supporting The Marylebone Project. The volunteers split themselves into two teams, repainting tired walls and hosting a three-course lunch for 15 service users.

The Marylebone Project is the largest single women’s shelter in the country. The charity has 112 beds for homeless women and provides essential services for rough sleepers through a drop-in day centre service. The charity supports women to return to independent living through education, employment support programmes and training opportunities.

During the morning, eight of the Blue Jean’s volunteers left their colleagues in the kitchen and put their DIY skills to the test. The team repainted a staff office and added a fresh coat of paint to a tired looking corridor.

Back in the kitchen, the team of  Blue Jeans chefs worked tirelessly throughout the morning to produce a delicious global-themed, three course lunch. Dishes included a Middle Eastern mezze platter, Asian vegan curry and a traditional British chocolate pear pudding. By 1pm everyone was tucking into their meals, chatting and discussing their favourite elements of the dishes. The lunch came to a heart-warming close when the chocolate pudding was used as a surprise birthday cake for one of the volunteers.

If you and your colleagues would like to support individuals experiencing homelessness at the Marylebone Project or another local charity, please contact our Community Team for details of opportunities.