Cambridge Street Aid, which was launched before Christmas, was set up to give people wanting to help people on the streets an alternative to handing over cash directly to them. Studies have suggested that the generous donation of cash by members of the public can sometimes hamper people getting off the streets if money from begging is spent on alcohol or drugs.
Every penny of the money donated to Cambridge Street Aid is allocated towards grants of up to £750 to help vulnerable people on the streets get the support, accommodation and employment they need to turn a corner in their life.
The money donated is now starting to change people’s lives, with more than £5000 having been paid out in grants, including:
- For a bicycle to help a formerly homeless man travel to a new job;
- To pay for a suit and shoes for someone starting a round of job interviews;
- Towards sports equipment for people wishing to put an unhealthy street-based life behind them;
- To enable someone to obtain a construction certificate so they can work on building sites;
- For household equipment to give someone a fresh start in a new tenancy;
- To enable someone to purchase a passport to help them visit their estranged family.
Cllr Kevin Price, Executive Councillor for Housing, said: “Cambridge Street Aid gives us a way to support people without the risk that comes with giving directly to someone on the street.
“I have been delighted and touched by the generosity of local people and other donors. For example, one resident raised more than a £1000 for Street Aid by running the Cambridge marathon, and several others donated their winter fuel payments. One donor said that he come across a Street Aid poster having seen a number of people begging and ‘wanted to be part of the solution’.
“The response to Street Aid in just over six months shows what a caring community we have in Cambridge and I want to thank everyone who has made a contribution, however large or small.”
The fund is just one of the ways in which the council and other organisations provide assistance to rough sleepers, homeless people and those at risk of homelessness in the city.
Other ways in which the council and its partners provide support for vulnerable people, include:
- Giving more than £700,000 a year in grants to a number of charities and services assisting homeless people and people on the street, with all the major local homelessness charities receive some funding from the council.
- Forging strong links with well-known local homeless charities Jimmy’s Cambridge, Wintercomfort, Change Grow Live (which provides a street outreach service), Riverside Care and Support, Cambridge Cyrenians, the Cambridge Churches Homelessness Project, and a range of smaller providers. These organisations help the council set priorities for its work to assist street people and rough sleepers.
- Working with local organisations who provide over 500 beds, of which 300 are for single homeless people in hostels and other accommodation, a very high figure compared to the population of Cambridge as a whole.
- Ensuring up to 40 council or housing association tenancies a year are available exclusively for former rough sleepers are ready to move on from hostel accommodation.
- Working with a range of enforcement agencies to deter begging and initiating a series of patrols intended to deter begging and let the public know how best they can help people on the streets.
Members of the public concerned about begging can report cases to the police by dialling 101. Anyone with concerns about rough sleeping or antisocial behaviour can report it to the council by phoning 01223 457000.
Cambridge Street Aid is managed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and supported by Cambridge City Council, Jimmy's Cambridge, Cambridge Cyrenians, Cambridge Churches Homelessness Project, Cambridge BID and CAMBAC (Cambridge Businesses against Crime).
To donate to Cambridge Street Aid people can either text ‘CAMB16’ followed by the amount they wish to donate to 70070 (for example ‘CAMB16 £3’), or can do so online at http://www.cambscf.org.uk/cambridge-street-aid.html For more information visit https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/alternative-giving-campaign
A national website www.streetlink.org.uk allows members of the public to notify the council if they are concerned about someone sleeping rough, to help them get local support and access services they might need.
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