“With the cost of living ever increasing, we are seeing a 20-30% rise in the number of guests (homeless) queuing up at our outreach drives. Alarmingly, we are also seeing a growing number of families with children.”
“With the cost of living ever increasing, we are seeing a 20-30% rise in the number of guests (homeless) queuing up at our outreach drives. Alarmingly, we are also seeing a growing number of families with children.”
This June and July, Watford-based Hand on Heart Charitable Trust has launched an ambitious campaign to distribute 1,000 summer essential packs to rough sleepers across 13 locations in the UK – aiming to mitigate the effects of the cost of living crisis.
Each essential pack contains 14 staple items to help during the summer months with a total value of £17 including: A drawstring bag, polo shirts, T-shirts, socks, underwear, deodorant, shower gel, wet wipes, oral hygiene kit, first aid plasters, suncream, baseball caps, and water. 250 sleeping bags and 100 rain jackets will also be distributed as well.Â
It is estimated that more than 66,000 people will be homeless by 2024 due to the rise in the cost of living and benefit freezes, according to recent research by the housing charity Crisis and Heriot-Watt University. By organizing this campaign, Hand on Heart hopes that this will restore a sense of dignity, hope, and joy back into many people’s lives amidst the worrisome cost of living crisis.Â
Hand on Heart will be collaborating with 11 organisations to distribute these packs across 13 locations in various locations in London plus Birmingham, Luton, and Bristol. In total, this will be 1,000 packs containing a total of 14,000 items – with over 200 volunteers involved across the campaign including children from three schools (Hujjat Primary, Elsley Primary, and Al Sadiq Primary), a Scouts Club (Harrow Scouts), and residents from Clarendon Care Home will volunteer during this campaign.Â
Hand on Heart’s co-founder Afzal Pradhan said:
With the cost of living ever increasing, we are seeing a 20-30% rise in the number of guests (homeless) queuing up at our outreach drives. Alarmingly, we are also seeing a growing number of families with children. Hand on Heart is not only supporting our guests but also providing a platform for over 200 volunteers to make an impactful change in their community.”
For £17, you can provide a life-changing kit to those bearing the worst effects of the cost of living crisis. Visit www.handonhearttrust.com to donate and find out more.
