20.08.2026
We were delighted to attend the recent JJ Rhatigan Golf Day at the London Golf Club in Sevenoaks, where staff, contractors and sponsors came together in support of Ashford Place.
The connection between JJ Rhatigan and Ashford Place is especially meaningful. The company developed the former Galtymore site in Cricklewood — a place remembered with great affection by many in the Irish community and by people we continue to support today. As JJ Rhatigan worked in Cricklewood, they came to understand the life stories of many of our service users, including Irish men who had spent their working lives in construction and related industries.
That shared history helped inspire JJ Rhatigan, their team and their contractors to choose Ashford Place as their charity partner. Their support is a powerful example of corporate social responsibility in action — not as a distant gesture, but as a practical and compassionate response to people whose lives and experiences they recognise.
Helping Us Respond to Growing Need
At Ashford Place, we are seeing increasing demand from people who need practical help, personal support and a continued sense of connection. Many are facing challenges around housing, money, health and isolation. For those who have spent years on the margins, London can feel even more isolating — which is why a welcoming, familiar community space matters so much.
The generous funds raised through the golf day will help us continue delivering our charitable objectives: supporting people to have a home, enough money to live on, good physical and mental health, and meaningful social connection.
In particular, this support will strengthen our work with Irish men in London who rely heavily on Ashford Place for one-to-one guidance, group activities, friendship, advocacy and practical help.
The Impact Behind the Donation
- Between 1 April and 31 July this year, 25% of our new service users were single Irish men at risk of homelessness, many with lived experience of homelessness.
- Last year, 136 new Irish service users came to Ashford Place who were at risk of homelessness, actually homeless, and/or had a history of homelessness.
- In the first seven months of this calendar year, we have already surpassed last year’s number of new Irish clients by 15%.
- Beyond housing, benefits and paperwork support, many referrals relate to dementia, befriending and social engagement — and once in our service many people remain connected to Ashford Place for years.
These figures relate only to our work with Irish men and women. When we add the wider and diverse community we support across Brent and beyond, it becomes even clearer how vital Ashford Place continues to be.
Remembered, Valued and Cared For
For our service users, support like this carries a message far beyond the financial value of the donation. It tells people that they are remembered. It tells them that their stories matter. It reminds them that businesses, communities and individuals still care about those who may otherwise feel forgotten.
Aoife, writing on behalf of JJ Rhatigan, captured this beautifully in her response, saying that events like the golf day are strengthened by partners such as Ashford Place, because they remind everyone why the fundraising matters. She also reflected on how the figures bring home the scale of need around housing, health and isolation, and how worthwhile it is to know the funds will directly support Irish men facing these challenges.
We are immensely grateful to JJ Rhatigan, the Rhatigan family, their management team, staff, contractors and sponsors for standing with Ashford Place. Their generosity will help us continue offering practical help, human connection and a trusted place of welcome to people who need it most.
We also hope their example will inspire others to think about how they too can support local charities and community organisations. Whether through fundraising, volunteering, partnership or simply keeping people connected, acts of care like this make a lasting difference.
Thank you to JJ Rhatigan for helping us remind our service users that they are not forgotten — they are valued, remembered and cared for.
