small change Big Difference
Use the links below to find out how you can help people sleeping rough:
- What is the small change Big Difference campaign?
- Which charities are supporting the campaign?
- How can I help?
What is the small change Big Difference campaign?
We want to help end homelessness for good. Together with charities, housing providers, and different organisations we are working hard to do just that.
We know you want to play your part too and we are often asked by people what they can do to help.
Wychavon works in partnership with many organisations to help prevent people from sleeping rough in the first place, and to make the long-term changes needed to get them 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 is a safe and secure way for you to help fund practical support to people sleeping rough in our district. If everyone gives whatever they can afford in a way that will make the biggest impact, then that small change can add up to a really big difference.
We also want to encourage people to tell us where they see rough sleepers using the Street Link service, so our outreach team can find those people and begin supporting them.
Charities supporting the campaign
There are lots of charities working to support those who are homeless, including rough sleepers. On this page we have listed three local projects we are working with and how they will spend whatever money you donate to benefit local people in need.
Any money you give will go directly to the charities to help fund their work. Wychavon will not receive a penny of your donation. A small percentage – usually less than 1p but it will vary depending on the donation platform used – will be taken by the various donation platform providers. So almost 100% of what you give will go straight to projects working to help those who are homeless.
If you are charity in the Wychavon area working to support people sleeping rough and would like to be involved in the campaign then please contact
Local projects working to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping
Below you will find information on the four charities currently supporting the campaign, the work they do in our area to support people sleeping rough and links to donate directly to support their work.
St Basils Youth Homeless Project in Evesham
Together with youth homelessness charity St Basils, we have bought a property in Evesham that will provide accommodation for young people at risk of sleeping rough. Together we identify those who are at risk and refer them to the project which provides them with a roof over their head, as well as a range of support. This includes basic budgeting and life skills as well as help with other issues someone may have.
Young people stay with the project for 6 to 18 months before they can move on with the skills they need to live independently in private accommodation.
Watch our video below to find out more about the St Basils Youth Homeless Project in Evesham.
pdf Download a transcript of the St Basils Evesham Young Homeless Project video. (124 KB)
DONATE TO THE ST BASILS EVESHAM YOUTH HOMELESS PROJECT
Maggs Day Centre
Maggs runs day centres in Worcester and Malvern. People sleeping rough on the streets of Wychavon are often referred to one of these day centre for help.
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.
Read about how Maggs Day Centre helped turn one rough sleeper’s life around.
Caring Hands in the Vale
Caring Hands in the Vale was founded in 2003 as part of Evesham Christian Centre and became an independent charity in 2016.
It supports people who are homeless, and at risk of homelessness, by offering food parcels, toiletry packs, bedding, clothing and blankets for free, depending on their circumstances. For those who are on the streets, they also have sleeping bags and backpacks available.
They also offer hot meals twice a week at the Caring Hands Diner. They are also developing a new project – The Lighthouse – which will become a drop-in centre. As well as offering everything they already do, this will allow them to provide advice and support sessions including access to IT facilities, a health hub, shower, laundry, lockers for the homeless, haircuts, and provide a ‘care of address’.
Find out more about The Lighthouse and the work of Caring Hands in the Vale.
Donate to Caring Hands in the Vale - The Lighthouse Project
Caring for Communities & People (CCP)
Caring for Communities and People (CCP) is a charity that exists to prevent the causes and reduce the effects of homelessness, family breakdown, and exclusion.
They run the Worcestershire Homelessness Prevention Service (HoPES) on behalf of councils, including Wychavon. The service is for single people and childless couples across Worcestershire who are at risk of homelessness. They advice and support for tenancy issues, housing rights and homelessness, budgeting and benefit take-up, housing-related debt, training and employment, as well as health and wellbeing support and social and community inclusion.
Find out more about the work of Caring for Communities and People (CCP).
DONATE TO CARING FOR COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE
How can I help?
You can help those sleeping rough by doing one or all of the following things:
- Donate to the charities involved in the Small change Big difference campaign.
- Use Street Link to tell us if you see someone sleeping rough. Our outreach team will go out and find the person and begin a conversation with them. By building trust and a relationship with someone we hope they will eventually accept our offer of help to get them off the streets for good.
- Volunteer your time with one of the charities involved in the campaign. You can contact them directly to find out what opportunities there may be.
