Small Change, Big Difference campaign to support rough sleepers in Malvern Hills
A new campaign has been launched to encourage residents to support people sleeping rough in a way that will have the most impact.
Malvern Hills District Council is working in partnership with organisations to help prevent people from sleeping rough in the first place.
As well as to make the long-term changes needed to get rough sleepers off the streets for good if they do find themselves in that situation.
The Small Change, Big Difference campaign aims to highlight this work and encourage people to donate to projects already working to improve the lives of those on the streets or at risk of ending up there.
It will also encourage people to identify where they see rough sleepers using the Street Link service, so the council's outreach team can find those people and begin supporting them.
Projects involved in the campaign include the Maggs Day Centre which is a charity that runs day centres in Worcester and Malvern.
They provide homeless people somewhere warm and dry to go as well as access to the basics we all take for granted – a safe place to be, toilets, showers, a hot drink and someone to talk to.
They also provide hot meals, clothing and mentoring and support for those ready to make changes to get off the streets and back into mainstream community life.
Steve Kemp, Team Leader at Maggs Day Centre Malvern, said: "We are here to help vulnerable people with a multitude of issues, including housing, benefits, drug and alcohol abuse, but also people who are simply lonely and want some company. There are also facilities at the centre such as a kitchen where you can have a hot breakfast, a shower, a washing machine and more. The Small Change, Big Difference campaign is a great way of helping people who are sleeping rough or are homelessness by donating funds to an organisation who will provide dedicated support".
Cllr Natalie McVey, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health on Malvern Hills District Council, said: "As well as giving to projects directly, the other way people can make a massive difference is by letting us know when they see a rough sleeper. They can do this by using the Street Link app, website or phone service. Our outreach team will then go and find them and begin working to make the long-term changes needed to get them off the streets."
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/small-change for more information on how to donate. To report a rough sleeper, visit www.streetlink.org.uk/
Money donated will go direct to the charities themselves. The council will not receive or take anything. It is hoped more projects will want to be involved with the campaign in the future.
