FAQs

Q1. Who are CAP?

A. CAP was formed in September 1997 from a desire by Ernest & Elisabeth Hibbert to try and meet some of the needs of the community, i.e. the residents of Wakefield Metropolitan District and to raise the awareness of the general public not least of all those attending the local churches, as to the problems in society today.

The Project is funded and resourced by public and private donations. The Programme is headed by 7 trustees and a working committee and manned by a team of 40 dedicated volunteers.

TRUSTEES

Kevin Foster (Chair)
Elisabeth Hibbert
Colleen Bimrose
Joanna Carroll
Tony Shorter
Sheila Hornby-Mould

Honorary Members

Joy Phillips
Noreen Denison

A clear purpose and a set of core Christian values underpin all the Trust’s services and aims.

Q2. How was CAP formed?

A. On a Saturday evening in February early 90’s whilst on a weekend away in London we visited firstly St Pauls Cathedral, it was evensong and the awesomeness and grandeur of the occasion left us both speechless. Continuing our sightseeing we walked until we had arrived at St Martin in the Fields. We went into the crypt and saw the soup kitchen, we went into the church and in the dimness could see men and women huddled on the radiators for warmth, asleep and oblivious to our intrusion. We crept out feeling we should not be disturbing them but the affect on both of us was profound. We walked away and back to our hotel in silence. Who had got it right? That evening still lives with us and it was from that night that CAP was birthed.

We felt the need and obligation to make the Church aware of what was happening in our ‘community’ and also to let the ‘community’ know that there was a God who cared.

CAP was formed in September 1997 from a desire by Ernest & Elisabeth Hibbert to try and meet some of the needs of the community, i.e. the residents of Wakefield Metropolitan District and to raise the awareness of the general public not least of all those attending the local churches, as to the problems in society today.

The Project is funded and resourced by public and private donations. The Programme is headed by 6 trustees and a working committee and manned by a team of 40 dedicated volunteers.

A clear purpose and a set of core Christian values underpin all the Trust’s services and aims.

Q3. What is CAP’s timeline?

A. 1997 – Opened early September at New Life Christian Centre, providing food parcels and clothing

1998 – Provided food parcels and clothing.
164 client visits

1999 – Provided food parcels and clothing
276 client visits
Obtained charitable status

2000 – Provided food parcels, clothing & toiletries
370 client visits

2001 – Provided food parcels, clothing & toiletries
Started to provide starter packs and warm snacks.
3 complete home starts
362 client visits

2002 – Provided food parcels, clothing , toiletries, starter packs and warm snacks.
4 complete home starts
1078 client visits
Met with WMDC scrutiny committee with a view to building a working partnership
Started to look for our own premises

2003 – Provided food parcels, clothing, toiletries, starter packs and warm snacks.
1020 referrals
983 meals
Received sizable grants from various trusts including promise of 1 years rent from Lloyds TSB
Secured lease on no 7 Wood Street

2004 – Provided food parcels, clothing , toiletries, starter packs and warm snacks.
Successful 3 year core funding from Lottery – funding for 3 years + salary for project manager & cleaner
Extensive media coverage (Newspaper & TV)
Officially opened no 7 Wood Street in November

2005
Client visits increased by 247%.
Important links made with Turning Point, Clear Springs, WMDC, West Yorkshire Police.
Partnership with Green Pastures – Housing Managers.

2007
Partnership with Green Pastures – Southport based Charity bought 2 houses for clients, housing 6 clients.

In 2007 we welcomed 238 new clients. We also:

•Served 8523 meals
•Clients had 475 showers
•871 issues of clothing
•703 issues of toiletries
•103 were referred to other agencies
•Provided 17 home starts
•Others helped: 68

2008
Successful 5 year core funding Big Lottery bid Ernest & Elisabeth receive Yorkshire Community Hero award for their work in founding and running CAP over the last 11 years Taken 3 year lease on warehouse at Thornes Wharf Big Lottery purchased van

Q4. How is CAP funded?

A. Received £450,000 from Big Lottery Fund March 2008. This is core funding and spread over 5 years. Over and above the Big Lottery fund CAP requires 20k per year to maintain the status quo!

B. Received In December monies to pay for salary of Deputy Manager for 2 years from Lloyds TSB

Monies also received from public donation and 100 club members.

Received £139,254 from lottery Community Fund May 2004

Also received money from Scarman Trust, Yorkshire Building Soc; Redcats, New Life Christian Centre. St Austins RC Church; Kings Church; Leeds & Holbeck Building Soc; Awards for ALL, Lloyds TSB; various anon.

Q5. What does the future hold for CAP?

A. 2006 and onwards….
To set up a network of training and resources for clients
To resource needs on the various estates in Wakefield and area
To extend referral base
To extend the hours of opening
Provision of accommodation

If you have any more questions, please use the Contact Us page.