WITH THE festive season upon us residents and businesses are being called on to give what they can to help those sleeping rough.
To raise awareness about this year’s seasonal campaign, Councillor Sharon Thompson, deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, visited the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham to hand out leaflets to stallholders, other local businesses and shoppers.
The campaign, part of the work of the WMCA’s Homelessness Taskforce, encourages people to make an online donation rather than giving directly to those asking for money on the street.
Every single donation benefits a person sleeping rough with trusted local charities and street teams working to identify those most in need and offer interventions that can really make a change to their personal circumstances.
Over the years donations, amounting to more than £310,000, has helped around 2,000 people break through the cycle of rough sleeping.
Change into Action is making a difference right across the region, from helping to find a home, buy essential household items, personal care items and new clothes to boost confidence, health and wellbeing, to providing employment support and assistance to get to vital support services and appointments.
Coun Thompson said: “The generosity of people across the West Midlands has been incredible – they have helped to change the lives of hundreds of others most in need. If you are able to donate anything, however small, it would mean a great deal of difference to those at risk of sleeping rough this Christmas.”
In Coventry, ‘tap to donate’ points are at Coventry Building Society in Broadgate and another at Timpsons, also in the city centre.
Coun Mark Parker, chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Members’ Advisory Group and Solihull Council’s cabinet member for housing, added: “There are lots of reasons why people become homeless or find themselves sleeping rough and it’s really important that we all work together regionally to support vulnerable people who are faced with this.
“In Solihull, our Rough Sleeper Outreach Team works hard to help and support people to safely move off the streets and into accommodation. In the last year we have prevented 404 households from becoming homeless and helped 597 people into long term housing.
“But it’s a combined effort. We’re helped tremendously by our residents, partners and local businesses who continue to work with us, reporting people they think are rough sleeping to StreetLink, who pass the info back to the team. They also help by donating to Change into Action to provide additional support.
“Our message continues to be – nobody needs to sleep rough. Please help us by contacting StreetLink when you see someone sleeping rough, and if you’re able, please support Change into Action Solihull too.”
Change into Action was launched as a pilot in Birmingham in 2017 and subsequently rolled out across Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall, with Wolverhampton having a similar scheme called Alternative Giving CIO.
For more or to donate visit www.changeintoaction.org.uk.
