Nottingham students to tackle homelessness
A local student start-up are on a mission to tackle homelessness across the UK, just weeks after a Cambridge University student was filmed burning a £20 note in front of a homeless man.
People of the Streets, an initiative that students in Nottingham have started, have taken to Crowdfunder to launch their new enterprise. The student organisation is already well on their way to success, after having won the 123 Reg Crowdfunder competition for social enterprise.
The not-for-profit organisation developed a unique model to bridge the divide between the public and the marginalised homeless population.
Managing Director Charles Kerr said: “We believe a lot of people in the UK want to do the right thing, but are often unsure what that is. Often, there is a stigma that is associated with giving money out on the streets. Perhaps not always knowing where your donations will go.
“We have developed a solution, a tangible alternative, where the kind people that donate know exactly where their generosity will go; not just towards essential items, but crucially to those most in need.”
People of the Streets will use the crowd-funding campaign to raise funds and awareness of their unique online platform. The concept will allow members of the public to purchase high quality packs of essential items that we, as a society, often take for granted.
The online store offers brand new products like towels, shower gel and sanitary products as well as warm clothing and waterproof backpacks to store their newly received necessities. These are distributed to our partners in chosen cities, selected because of the most significant increase in homelessness over the last few years.
Operations Manager Liv Parnell said: ““We hope that the greater access to hygiene, clothes and warmth will bring with it an increase in self-confidence of those that call our streets home. There are over a quarter of a million homeless people in the UK, and an additional 8 million people that are only one payday away from joining them.
“Almost 50% of rough sleepers have been physically attacked, and one in ten have faced the humiliation of being urinated on by members of the public. We want to give them the chance to rightfully regain their dignity and that’s just the start of our plan.”
In addition to purchasing much needed essentials for the homeless, customers will also be able to pick up personalised signed photos and even hand written Mother’s Day poems.
The campaign will operate across the UK in Nottingham, London, Cardiff, Bristol, Brighton and Manchester.
