Help Caring in Bristol support the city's homeless population this Christmas

Help Caring in Bristol support the city's homeless population this Christmas

Posted on: 21 Dec 2020

Find out how to do your bit during the toughest time of the year for homeless people in Bristol.

 

While the festive period is a chance for most of us to relax, unwind and celebrate with loved ones, for thousands of people across Bristol it's one of the most difficult times of the year.

 

Homelessness is affecting a growing number of people in 2020, with the coronavirus crisis having a massive impact on what was already a huge issue in the UK. 

 

Leading homelessness charity Shelter announced this time last year that as many as 280,000 people were legally homeless in England alone, a number expected to have risen dramatically over the course of 2020 amid a wave of job losses and economic instability.

 

Local charity Caring in Bristol are leading the way in offering support to vulnerable people this Christmas - read on for a quick rundown of the best ways to show your support.

 

 

Contribute to the Caring at Christmas campaign

 

One of the simplest and most effective ways to support charitable projects is to donate, and Caring in Bristol need your help this winter as they relaunch their annual Caring at Christmas drive.

 

The initiative provides shelter, meals, support services, health checks and a vital sense of community for hundreds of people in Bristol over the festive period, made possible by the hard work of dedicated volunteers.

 

A donation of just £21 could secure access for one person to Caring at Christmas - find out more here.

 

 

Get involved with Cheers Drive

 

Earlier this year and in response to the coronavirus crisis, Caring in Bristol launched Cheers Drive, a pioneering delivery service providing free hot meals to homeless people and rough sleepers across Bristol.

 

To date, Cheers Drive has delivered well over 130,000 meals to people in need, and the team are looking for more volunteers to lend a hand with sourcing, preparing and distributing food during the winter period. 

 

Find out more on the Caring in Bristol website, or get in touch with the team on 0117 924 4444 or via email for details.

 

 

Use a TAP for Bristol donation point

 

Launched in September 2019, TAP for Bristol was set up by the Bristol City Centre BID and Caring in Bristol in the hope that the city could become one of the world's first to effectively solve its homelessness problem.

 

The scheme offers members of the public a simple and straightforward option to give money to local charities, safe in the knowledge that every penny will be used to tackle homelessness through a combination of prevention work and emergency support.

 

Funds are divided equally between Caring in Bristol and local frontline services, with the Quartet Community Foundation managing the grant programme and donations.

 

After it was revealed back in October that TAP for Bristol had raised over £30,000 in its first year, the organisers are hoping to raise even more over the next twelve months to ensure they're able to continue supporting vulnerable people.

 

Find TAP points across Bristol City Centre and at Temple Meads Station.

 

 

For more information on Caring in Bristol's ongoing support for people affected by homelessness, or to make a donation, head to their website.

 

Alternatively, if you see someone who you suspect is sleeping rough this winter, you can inform StreetLink. The team will try to connect them to local services and organisations to get them off the streets.

 

Contact them on 0300 500 0914 or via their website.

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.