Supported in 2007 to 2011
Based in Rugby, Warwickshire
There is a special link between the Mayday Trust and the Michael Varah Memorial Fund. In 1976, Michael was living in Rugby, newly qualified as a probation officer. Within months, he had astutely recognised the acute lack of accommodation for vulnerable homeless ex-offenders and, with his good friend Jim Higgins, set up a hostel – the forerunner to the first properties provided by The Rugby Mayday Trust, the registered charity that Michael and Jim then founded. Today, this thriving charity runs eight schemes across three counties and supports over 200 vulnerable people each year.
Mayday Trust provides specialised support, accommodation and life-skills training for vulnerable adults. The charity supports people who need more than just a roof over their head: those who find it difficult to cope with day-to-day living. Clients include young people leaving care, those with moderate learning difficulties and recurring mental health problems, ex-offenders, those made homeless through family breakdown, and victims of abuse.
In 2007, the Mayday Trust decided to reward its most outstanding residents by offering them financial support to achieve their vocational goal – a contribution towards training costs, practical help to gain employment, or support to set up a new business venture. The Michael Varah and Jim Higgins Award for Excellence was initially established and funded for a three-year initial period, with MVMF Trustees from the Fund sitting on the Awards panel. It has now been extended and will run until at least 2013. The intention is that, through rewarding an individual’s personal commitment to turn his or her life around, others will be inspired to aim higher.
