Spotlight - PASHA
PASHA is a charity connected with PAS Ltd to help provide additional help and support to our residents. Its aim is to promote good health, wellbeing and assist in the relief of homelessness and unemployment. PASHA posters have been plastered up in a number of properties both in Dorset and Cornwall to help advertise the charity and inform all residents of its existence and encourage client involvement. We have also sent a mail shot accompanying this to all clients detailing the new bid process in which clients and staff have the opportunity to apply for funding to support a variety of ideas that fit within the aims and objectives of the charity.
This bidding process aims to encourage residents and staff to request funding or support for any project that will benefit resident’s lives. All bids are carefully considered to ensure the best use of the funds available. Each bid is assessed on whether it conforms to the aims and objectives of the charity, the number of residents each proposal benefits and considers the health and safety aspects associated if it were granted. Bid forms can be acquired from support workers and are available to all residents within PAS and PASHA accommodation and all staff. We have been working hard over the last few months to increase PASHA’s profitability, allowing more to be spent on beneficial projects and ideas.
Despite our financial constraints, we have utilised the limited funds available to grant a number of bids across both regions. At Christmas we provided Christmas lunches and Christmas parties for all residents who wished to join. We had a great turnout with a total of 46 clients participating throughout the PASHA and PAS houses. Since then we have funded days out to the Eden Project in Cornwall, Newquay Zoo and a chartered fishing trip. To promote good health amongst our clients we have signed up with the Bournemouth YMCA gym to offer discounted gym membership for all of our clients within the area, details of which can be found with your support worker. We have also sponsored a resident to redesign and landscape one of the gardens in Poole. Whilst still a work in progress we have seen a fantastic transformation take place.
We have a number of ideas to run with over the upcoming months. We feel that with the technological age well and truly upon us, computer and IT skills play a huge part in all aspects of modern life, especially within the working world. We have therefore started a new program called CommuneIT, to set up a computer with a broadband internet connection within each property. We are contacting a number of different organisations looking for donations of computer equipment, expertise and support. Although still in its infancy, this program will allow residents 
to gain access to the internet and our aim is to accompany this with training and coaching in various IT skills.
Over the next year PASHA really wants to focus on education. A training package is being designed and it is our intention that over the next year we can offer a myriad of courses and coaching sessions to help encourage clients to take that step towards employment.
We will continue to support bids that come in where we can and welcome any and all ideas. Bids will be considered on the 1st Tuesday of every month meaning events and trips must be planned well in advance. All bids will be considered and we will endeavour to respond within 14 days of the meeting in writing.
We're constantly looking for new ways in which we can ease individuals into a new, productive and rewarding lifestyle, helping you to make positive changes to their standard of living, but we need your input. We’d like your ideas, suggestions for improvement and bids for funding and support. As mentioned previously you can contact your support worker for copies of the bid forms, or email us for more information.