Did you know that only 6% of adults with Special Needs are paid for the work they perform.  We think that's wrong.

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In July 2018, we decided that what we needed was an enterprise that gave us flexibility to offer a range of work opportunities, would be fun and would allow us to pay the young adults for their efforts.  To us, the obvious solution was a catering trailer or van; loads of roles, the chance to immerse the young adults in the wider community and a variety of events to maintain interest.  Hjälpande Händer was born.

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Hjälpande Händer (Helping Hands in Swedish) was setup as a non-profit charity based in Swindon run by volunteers.  It gives young adults with special needs the chance to get paid work operating a mobile catering trailer.  We involve the young adults in all aspects of the business and at the same time hope they will have fun and enjoy the atmosphere of the various events. 

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We aim to be environmentally friendly, use local produce wherever possible and anything left will be taken to the Night Shelter or Salvation Army to help the homeless. 

 

We offer speciality coffee, tea, cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes, hot dogs, candy floss and crepes.  When required, we can also offer hot chocolate, mulled wine and soup. 

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In 2023 we were given the opportunity to operate the Snack kiosk at Stanton Country Park.  Every Cloud who operate the activities at the Park have asked us to sell drinks and food every weekend from 12 to 4 and also during the school holidays.  This gives our young adults a fixed location with regular shifts, to run alongside the events operated from the trailer.

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If you would you be interested in having Hjälpande Händer cater at your next outdoor event (fete, festival, sports event, company event, party or wedding), we'd be very interested.  We’d like to be flexible so if there is anything  particular you need or a theme you’d like, just ask!  And if you think you might like to help or get involved, please get in touch.  We're always looking for more volunteers.

Whilst we are largely self-sustaining in terms of running costs, we do need to raise funds to purchase larger capital items.  We are hugely grateful to the following organisations and individuals who have helped us with funds:

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• The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund - £25,906

• The National Lottery Community Fund - £19,950

• The National Lottery Community Fund - £9,750

• UnLtd - £,5,000

• James Corden - £4,000

• Wiltshire Community Foundation - £2,454

• Tesco Bags of Help - £1,000

• Wiltshire Community Foundation - £1,000

• Robert & Mary Firth - £500

• Swindon Lions -£500

• Nationwide Building Society Cake Sale and Tombola - £325

• Swindon Community Lottery - £400

• Daytrippers Foundation - £ 240

• Paddy Power Swindon - £200

• Shalbourne Car Show - £100

• Eldene Winter Market - £100

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If you would like to help out financially, we'd love to hear from you.  Please use the contact form to get in touch.