Local charity urges community to fund ordinary items that will create an extraordinary impact

Hertfordshire-based homelessness charity, DENS, has launched the More Than Appeal to enable their life-changing services to move into new headquarters.

Construction work is well underway for the new DENS Centre, developed in partnership with Dacorum
Borough Council.

The charity is relying on the generosity of its community to fund items like mugs, laptops and chairs – which may seem very ordinary at first glance. However, these items will help to create valuable opportunities that empower local people to take their next positive steps.

For example, a donation to the appeal will help ensure a mug is more than a mug – as for Amy, a mug of tea marks the moment she will start to get on top of rental arrears and keep her family in their home, when she chats to the team at DENS.

Wendy Lewington, DENS CEO, said: ‘We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel a sense of worth and belonging.

‘Our services include therapy, financial literacy courses, tenancy sustainment support, employability skills training and our Foodbank. But we can’t provide this without the support of our community.’

DENS is asking their community partners and supporters to help reach a target of £20,000 towards funding this vital equipment. The first £5,000 of donations received will also be automatically doubled, thanks to match funding secured from a generous supporter.

Those able to give £1,000 or more will have their name featured on a special Giving Tree at the DENS Centre.

The appeal has received support from DENS Patron, Adrian Scarborough (pictured) – the award-winning actor, and star of The Chelsea Detective and Gavin & Stacey.

In a special video message shared on his social media, he said: ‘DENS is much more than a roof and a bed. So, please help us if you can.’

To donate to the More Than Appeal and help DENS provide transformative support to local people facing crisis, please visit www.dens.org.uk/more-than.