Supporting our colleagues and charities during COVID-19 – Yeldall Manor

As part of our community fund, we’re proud to support the brilliant work of Yeldall Manor.

Yeldall Manor provides residential rehabilitation and support for men seeking to overcome drug and alcohol addictions. This is anything from detox and therapy through to preparing them for new jobs and finding accommodation for when they move out. It’s a Christian-based charity but helps men of any faith or none.

Yeldall is closely connected to one of our National Grid ESO colleagues Jeremy Rawlings. Jeremy applied for funding for Yeldall because it’s close to his heart and he’s passionate about the work they do for the community around Reading.

Jeremy attends a local Baptist church and many of the residents come along to services. He’s met them and heard them share their stories about their struggles with alcohol and drugs and how they’ve found their way to the Yeldall programme. Jeremy added

Last June, I took part in ‘Ride for Recovery’ a sponsored bike ride to raise money for Yeldall’s bursary fund. I cycled alongside some current and former residents. I was so impressed by their determination to change and their stories of how Yeldall has supported them in this.

Unlike many other treatment services, Yeldall is remaining open during the COVID-19 pandemic to both current and future residents. The need for addiction treatment and accommodation is more critical than ever. COVID-19 has created a number of challenges for the charity due to social distancing, reduction in capacity and lack of fundraising. There are also men who would be due to move out but that wouldn’t be safe at this time.

Sue Hedger from Yeldall Manor commented:

The donation from National Grid ESO will be used to help adapt and sustain our work in the light of COVID-19. In order to reduce any potential spread of infection, seven existing double rooms were quickly changed to single occupancy. At the same time, there is perhaps even greater need for rehabilitation, as many community support services are closing or running very reduced clinical-only services as part of the national lockdown. Primarily therefore, the donation is helping us fund the conversion of the roof space in our Lodge building to create a separate three-bed flat, and the sub-division of three larger bedrooms in the annexe in the Main House to create six smaller single rooms (photo included). All of this work is now under way and will provide much-needed additional and safe capacity.

The reduction of staff on-site (due to furlough, self-isolation and working from home) has meant we are running a reduced programme, so the residents have more spare time, and of course they still can’t go out or have visitors. It’s a tough time for them. Some have struggled with this, as we all do from time to time, but the overwhelming sense is one of gratitude for being in a safe place at this time. It’s also great that we’re still able to welcome a limited number of new admissions, as the need is greater than ever. 

Unfortunately, the Ride for Recovery which Jeremy participated in can’t take place this year due to the lockdown. Yeldall have launched a virtual Ride for Recovery. People can cycle, run or walk a distance of their choosing over the course of a week. To support this or take part please visit the Yeldall Manor website for more information.