Thames Reach email newsletter
Issue 3, 14 December 2006
Support our Christmas appeal
For homeless and vulnerable people, the Christmas period can be a particularly difficult time of year. Many are isolated from relatives and friends, and feel a keen sense of loneliness as others gather together.
Donate online now
Read more on helping Thames Reach provide hope for vulnerable people this Christmas and in the year ahead
Christmas on the streets
Listen to people who are homeless now, or have been in the past, talk about their feelings at Christmas, and how they cope with the festive season. This audio was conceived, recorded and created by people with experience of homelessness who are members of the Thames Reach audio group.
Hear stories of being homeless at Christmas
Hostel visit marks anniversary of Cathy Come Home
To mark the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking BBC drama Cathy Come Home, Kate Hoey MP, councillors and members of the local community visited a Thames Reach hostel for the homeless in Lambeth last month.
This Sunday at 9pm, BBC One is screening a new drama, Born Equal, which looks at homelessness in the 21st century and features cameo performances from people who use our services.
Read the full story on Kate Hoey's visit and the changing nature of London's hostels
Shifting lives
Communities secretary Ruth Kelly visited Thames Reach's newly-launched supported employment scheme, SHiFT, in November. The project gives homeless and vulnerable people the chance to work in painting and decorating.
Read the full story on Ruth Kelly's visit to the SHiFT workshops
Get some organic produce and support vulnerable people
Participants of Thames Reach’s farm project are now selling organic fruit and vegetables in London. From next year, former homeless people from the ‘Cabbages and Kings’ market stall can deliver £5, £10, and £15 bags of organic produce to your office each Friday.
Please contact Paul Ellis on 0783 496 7851 or via email for more information.
The year that's passed
The 2006 Annual Review is now available. It looks at the progress made by Thames Reach over the last year. It also features stories about the people who use our services – the challenges they face, and the effort they have put into turning their lives around.
You can download a PDF of the review or contact us to order a hard copy.
London’s homeless have their say
More than 70 homeless or formerly homeless people came together in South London in September to make their views heard and affect the way their services are run. The conference, ‘Chatbout’, included a panel session where attendees put their views to influential people such as Simon Hughes MP and senior figures within Thames Reach.
Read more about Chatbout, and listen to comments from people on the day
Changing names
The homelessness charity Thames Reach Bondway changed its name to Thames Reach and launched a new website on 1 November.
The site includes interactive forums and audio to help give homeless and vulnerable people a voice.
Read the full story on the new name and website
Please help us continue to support homeless and vulnerable people by donating to Thames Reach.
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