Teardrops Supporting Your Community

In 2018, Teardrops set up their ‘Hub’ which hosts a café, advice drop-in service and clothes store. With 50–60 visitors a night, the hub provides a safe space to socialise and receive coffee, quality food and drinks free of charge.

From the hub and across the community, Teardrops also offer: 

• Monthly food trays for primary school children in lower socio-economic areas that serve over 120 families per month. 
• A prom store in the summer months to provide young people with all their prom needs for free, when they otherwise might not be able to afford them. 
• The largest Christmas hamper appeal in St Helens, providing nearly 1,000 hampers per year. 
• Housing and benefits advice from a designated Homeless Prevention Team, offered twice weekly along with free breakfast. 

Teardrop’s success is largely due to their ability to adapt and provide new services to support their vulnerable community and meet their changing requirements.

During the pandemic, Teardrops changed their full name from ‘Teardrops Supporting the Homeless’ to ‘Teardrops Supporting Your Community’ as they felt their offer could then be more inclusive of their wider community. 

To ensure their future and financial sustainability, Teardrops are opening a new community café to provide affordable provisions for local families and community members who may wish to support them.

Teardrops also plan to open a community upcycling shop with reasonably priced, repurposed or upcycled furniture to help community members in equipping their homes. 

These new ventures are driven by the desire to keep their services running and are free to use.

They present additional opportunities for local people to forge community links, learn new skills, and possibly find jobs or volunteering roles.

Teardrops successes and developments have not come without challenges.

In light of the pandemic and increased living costs, Teardrops have experienced fewer donations, of both food and money, as many have less disposable income to offer.

They have also witnessed a greater need in the community which their services and resources struggle to fully address. 

To ensure their survival, Teardrops identified quieter hub days where they could then close the facility to save on running and other daily costs.

This meant on the days they are open they can help the community far better, whilst ensuring their financial security. 

Teardrops also support other charities and organisations by forming strong community partnerships.

For example, when they receive a large food donation, they often reach out to local food banks to offer excess supplies. 

Teardrop’s general manager, Nick Dyer, stated that they:

"Understand we’re not serving everyone in the community. That is why we are happy to offer support to other charities and spread donations to as many people in need as possible."

Teardrops have links with schools through their food-tray distribution, they take a preventative approach with younger community members to try to limit those who may require their services in the future. 

Links with local businesses have also led to further support for schools in the area, with one of Teardrops’ partners sending employees to help renovate and maintain a nearby school free of charge. 

Teardrops have close relationships with multiple local sports club such as Portico Vine ARLFC and St. Helens Town AFC who help by hosting fundraisers, collecting donations and spreading awareness.

Teardrops ensure that the proceeds from fundraising events are split with the organisation.