Thames Reach email newsletter
A group of the capital’s homeless visited Whitehall in January to meet Hilary Armstrong MP, Minister for Social Exclusion within the Cabinet Office. They discussed how homelessness could be prevented and how services for rough sleepers could be improved.
From the age of 14, Mick lived on and off the streets, drinking himself to oblivion to get to sleep at night. He is now sober and living in Thames Reach supported accommodation. Listen to Mick talk about being on the streets and the experience that led him to seek a more settled life.
Thames Reach Chief Executive Jeremy Swain has called on City firms to increase their contributions to organisations helping London’s homeless. He welcomed the debate sparked by comments from Cabinet Minister Peter Hain that City high fliers should donate two thirds of their bonuses to charities.
In the lead-up to Christmas, staff from Thames Reach’s corporate supporters volunteered to collect money for the charity at London Underground stations. A group of sales managers from Cadbury Trebor Bassett took it in turns to don a 'Christmas Money Bunny' costume, raising over £1500.
"It's 6am, freezing and John, who is over 70, is soaked through to his skin - but he still won't take up the offer of a room for the night."
BBC London journalist Alison Freeman went out on a shift with London Street Rescue last month to see how they help people off the streets.
The Streatham Redskins ice hockey team provided a treat for two former rough sleepers in January. Dennis Rogers and Tony Whittaker received free tickets for a game against rivals Swindon Wildcats and were invited onto the ice for a photoshoot with the players.
Rough sleeper count must keep consistency at heart
Jeremy Swain has argued that street counts must provide as true a picture as possible of the numbers of people sleeping rough. Writing in Inside Housing, the Thames Reach Chief Executive said that to ignore Eastern European nationals would erode the credibility of the counts.
Get some organic produce and support vulnerable people
Former homeless people from Thames Reach's ‘Cabbages and Kings’ scheme can deliver £5, £10, and £15 bags of organic fruit and vegetables to your home or office each Friday (within Zones 1 and 2). Please contact Paul Ellis on 0783 496 7851 or via email for more information.
Please help us to continue supporting homeless and vulnerable people by donating to Thames Reach.
If you did not receive this email directly but would like to, please sign up for e-reach.
If you would like to unsubscribe or change your details, please login to the site and change your settings accordingly.
Page Comments
