A new fundraising campaign is under way to help people affected by homelessness, thanks to Give Leicester – the city’s contactless giving service.
The campaign will raise money for local charity The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, enabling them to expand the services they offer at their day centre and support homeless people in the city as they rebuild their lives.
Give Leicester donation points are small, contactless terminals, which enable people to make a secure £3 donation simply by tapping their card or device. The scheme is organised and funded by BID Leicester and Leicester City Council, who also pay all donation transaction costs to ensure that 100% of the money goes to charity.
This winter, all donations will contribute to a variety of support programmes run by The Bridge Homelessness to Hope from their day centre. The help offered there is not only for those without housing, and support continues after people are housed, enabling them to keep on making positive changes to their lives.
Give Leicester donations will help the charity to provide meals at breakfast and lunchtime; a place for hot showers and to do laundry; and physical and mental health advice. Funds will also go in to creative and social programmes to help people feel part of a community, along with a regular skills day to prepare them to succeed in job-seeking and employment.
David Fawcett from The Bridge Homelessness to Hope said: “We are thrilled to be chosen as the charity partner for the new Give Leicester fundraising campaign. We are proud to support people experiencing homelessness in the city on a one-to-one basis, but helping our guests find housing is far from the end of our journey with them.
“Through funds raised by Give Leicester, we will look to develop ongoing support services that our guests can access to help them thrive. £3 may seem a small amount, but it can make all the difference. For us, £3 can cover the cost of two breakfasts, three hot showers or one load of washing. A single £3 donation will allow one extra person to access our art groups each day.
“Through the support of Give Leicester, it is our aspiration to support every guest we see to go on and live a fulfilled life after homelessness.”
Since launching in October 2019, Give Leicester has raised over £30,000 to support people experiencing homelessness in the city, with the funds previously going to One Roof Leicester’s Night Shelter.
Asst city mayor for housing Cllr Elly Cutkelvin said: “The city council already works in close partnership with The Bridge and we know how much the day centre means to service users.
“It complements the accommodation and day centre service we offer at the Dawn Centre, and also supports people who are not homeless but caught up in street lifestyles and vulnerable in other ways.
“We know that lots of people who come into the city want to help those in need, and donating via Give Leicester is an excellent way to do this.”
There are 15 Give Leicester donation points live in the city, displayed in the windows of local businesses. Locations include St Martin’s Coffee Shop, McDonalds on Eastgates and Market Street, Clockwise Credit Union, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, Marks & Spencer and Greggs on Gallowtree Gate and De Montfort Hall.
The project was launched in partnership with Leicester’s Homelessness Charter, which has strengthened joint working across organisations. It also provides a detailed service directory listing services and support available for people experiencing homelessness in the city.
Find out more about the Give Leicester donation points, The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, and information about the Leicester Homelessness Charter at giveleicester.org
Photo caption: Vinod and Kusum are volunteers at the Bridge Homelessness to Hope