To mark this year’s National Safeguarding Adults Week, Sovereign Housing Association has highlighted the support it provides to homelessness charities through the Sovereign Thriving Communities Fund.
The Fund is a partnership with Crowdfunder UK that delivers funding to resident- and community-focused projects.
National Safeguarding Adults Week took place last week (16 Nov-21 Nov), and Sovereign says the work of many charities to support homelessness projects and those in need should not go unnoticed.
As a social landlord that manages over 60,000 affordable homes, Sovereign says it recognises the importance of having a home and the difficulties faced by so many to find one.
Michelle Smith, head of Communities for Sovereign, said: “We’re committed to supporting local charities and community groups to give those who are homeless and socially excluded the power to turn their lives around with the right support and coaching.
“The impact homelessness charities have in helping those who are highly vulnerable during the pandemic has been outstanding.
“I’m proud of the part we’ve played to assist with vital funds to enable these charities to deliver new ways of working and continue to provide essential services, raising money through the ‘Crowd’ matched by the Sovereign Thriving Communities Fund.”
Cafe Kino
Bristol-based Cafe Kino, a not-for-profit business operating out of Stokes Croft, aims to provide a safe and open space for everyone.
The cafe offers basic services for the homeless including a ‘suspended coffee’ system, which allows a customer to purchase something for someone in need while buying something for themselves.
Cafe Kino were forced to shut during lockdown and ran a crowdfunding campaign, supported by the Sovereign Thriving Communities Fund, to ensure its later reopening. The cafe received 302 pledges and raised £13,258 from the Bristol community – who simply donated or purchased a ‘suspended coffee or meal’ to be distributed to someone in need and redeemed by themselves later, including £4,750 pledged from Sovereign Thriving Communities Fund.
Emmaus Bristol
Emmaus Bristol provides a home, support, training, and work experience to people who have experienced homelessness.
Emmaus Bristol has three shops selling second-hand clothes, furniture, and household goods, providing meaningful work experience for companions (formerly homeless adults) as well as vital funds for the charity. With its shops closed for lockdown, Emmaus Bristol used crowdfunding as a way of selling furniture and gaining donations.
“Sovereign pledged £3,500, which will go on furniture vouchers for their new residents who don’t have much in the way of household items,” said Xanne Carey, Social Enterprise manager, Emmaus Bristol.
“We were so thrilled at this boost to our crowdfunder, and the opportunity to help those who have just been housed. It’s a great fit with our values.”
Emmaus is currently crowdfunding and has raised over £10,000 from 100+ supporters, including a £3,500 pledge from Sovereign Thriving Communities Fund.
Bristol Refugee Rights – Support for Refugees
Bristol Refugee Rights (BRR) was set up in 2006 with the aim of upholding and championing the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees’. Its Welcome Centre in St Paul’s “regularly welcomes 100 asylum seekers and refugees each day, from up to 60 different countries”.
During Coronavirus, the centre cannot stay open and instead staff and volunteers offer their support over the phone, making over 100 calls to families each day.
These families need to be able to access a phone or computer. In May, BRR raised over £18,000 on Crowdfunder UK to provide “vital services and tech aid for asylum seekers and refugees facing destitution, homelessness, and isolation during COVID-19”.
BRR received support from 222 people including a £5,000 pledge from the Sovereign Thriving Communities Fund.
Image: stephm2506/Shutterstock
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