Give Leicester contactless giving scheme partners with The Bridge Homelessness to Hope to fund Day Centre services for homeless people

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 28 October 2021

A new fundraising campaign is underway 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, where members of the public can 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.

From today (Thursday 28 October), money raised from the contactless giving points will contribute to a variety of support programmes run by The Bridge Homelessness to Hope from their Day Centre, aiming to achieve long-lasting change for vulnerable people in our community.

Crucially, the assistance offered at the Day Centre is not only for those without housing. They offer continued support even after guests are housed, enabling them to keep on making positive changes to their lives.

Give Leicester donations will benefit a range of the services the charity offer, including the provision of meals at breakfast and lunch time, a place for hot showers and laundry, and physical and mental health advice. Funds will also go in to creative and social programmes that aim to empower guests and allow them to 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 explains,

“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.

Speaking about the Give Leicester project to date, Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester, said,

“There has been a remarkable amount of support for Give Leicester over the last two years, with members of the public showing their generosity and willingness to help the most vulnerable members of our community.

“I am delighted to be partnering with The Bridge Homelessness to Hope on this new fundraising campaign, where we will go one step further and fund those services that enable homeless people the chance to feel part of the community again; equipping them with vital skills and allowing them to visualise a future full of possibilities.”

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 agencies and brought the voice of lived experience into service development. It also provides detailed service directory listing services and support available for people experiencing homelessness in the city.

Leicester’s Homelessness Charter Chair, the Church of England Diocese of Leicester’s Revd Canon Alison Adams, commented:

“The aim of the Charter has always been to bring together those who want to do more to help combat homelessness in the city. Give Leicester is a wonderful example of what can be achieved thanks to the joined-up efforts of our members, and this new campaign will be a great step in opening up opportunities to people who are, or have recently been, homeless to rebuild their lives.”

Find out more about the Give Leicester donation points, The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, and information about the Leicester Homelessness Charter at giveleicester.org

Picture: Vinod & Kusum - Community Cafe Volunteers

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