Rob Saggs, is CEO of CHESS Homeless, which works across eight local authority areas, including Brentwood and Chelmsford. The organisation exists to support people who find themselves homeless to move forward purposefully and in good health. Rob has been with CHESS for twelve years. He said that the situation with homelessness was now worse than ever in that time. Through the cost of living crisis and the rise in energy bills, they were now finding people coming to CHESS who were in work but unable to pay their rent. People were sofa surfing, staying with a friend and there has been an increase in people living in their cars. The rise in energy costs has had a significant impact on the charity in heating their premises. Whilst there is some money provided through schemes and from trusts, there are always fund raising needs. Any event, big or small was much appreciated. As Rob said, “every little helps”. There has been a significant drop in the number of volunteers post pandemic compared to 2019. Any skills that could be offered would be appreciated. From practical assistance in buildings maintenance, cooking, to fundraising and administrative skills. There are also some paid posts available at this time.
Just contact CHESS on 01245 281104 or https://www.administration@chesshomeless.org
Rob said that money should never be given to anyone begging on the street. If you are concerned about someone who you see on the street, contact https://www.streetlink.org
The person will be contacted by an out-reach within 24 hours.
Playlist
Carrie Underwood – Something in the water – released in 2014, this track won the Grammy award for best county performance, and the Billboard award – Top Christian song.
Temptations – Ball of confusion – 1970 UK no 7, USA no 3. Written by Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong RIP, who passed away on 28th of January. Together they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.
Dirty Loops – Breakdown – chosen by Rob as he said the band were great musicians.
Coldplay – Paradise – chosen by Rob as it is a happy track that makes him smile.
Living colour – Love rears it’s ugly head – chosen ironically by Rob.
Birthdays competition.
Above, album cover from 1971.
Below, Carole King in 2022 celebrating her 80th birthday.
Carole King is 81 years old. We heard the title track from her 1971 album – Tapestry. This album is no 25 in the 2020 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest albums of all time.
Drummer Simon Phillips was a session musician in the 1970s. In 1982 he was a member of PH.d. He went on to be the drummer in Toto from 1992 – 2014. We heard PH.d – I won’t let you down – UK no 3. In Belgium and the Netherlands it was no 1, in both countries being the 2nd best selling track of the year. Simon recently celebrated his 66th birthday.
Tim Booth is 63 years of age. He is best known as lead singer of the band James. We heard their 1991 UK no 2 – Sit down.
Thanks to Chris, Bob, Sarah, Sian and Mark in Harlow, Chris in Guildford, Patrick in Ingatestone, David in Belgium, Rob in the studio and Drive presenter Stewart for taking part. Sian was the winner with 4 points. David and Chris in Guildford each got three points.
Patrick requested a track by the Searchers. We heard – Needles and pins – released in 1964. NO 1 in UK, Ireland & South Africa. Top 10 in four more countries. USA no 13.
Jody and the Jerms – Started something – new release
Andrew Gold – Thankyou for being a friend – USA (Cash Box) no 11, UK no 42. The song used with a different recording as the theme for the sitcom – The Golden girls.
Chart this week in
No 1 Men at work – Down under – also no 1 in USA and six more countries. Top 10 in seven more countries. Total world sales of over two million. 600,000 in the U.K.
No 12 U2 – New Year’s Day. UK no 10, Ireland no 2. Track from the album –War – UK no 1, USA no 12. 2102 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest albums of all time, no 223.
No 16. Joe Jackson – Steppin out – UK no 6, USA no 6, Grammy nominations for Record of the year & Male vocal performance.
Marvin Gaye – I heard it through the grapevine – written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong RIP. Originally a track on the 1968 album – In the Groove. Pressure from DJs led to the release of the track as a sing. It became a UK no 1 and USA no 1.
Missi Hale – What the world needs now – from the soundtrack of Boss Baby (2017) Words by Hal David, music by Burt Bacharach RIP.
John Williams – Bicycle chase – from the end credits of E.T. The film was released in 1982. The soundtrack album received both an Academy award and Grammy award.
Join me next week when my studio guest is Lisa Whymark from https://www.huttonparish.com/dailybread