With the festive season fast approaching, local people and businesses are being encouraged to give what they can to a campaign that has helped hundreds of people sleeping rough to move off the streets and rebuild their lives.
Generous public donations of more than £310,000 have already been given to the region's alternative giving campaign, Change into Action, since it was launched, helping around 2,000 people break through the cycle of rough sleeping.
To raise awareness about this year’s seasonal campaign, Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, visited the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham to hand out leaflets to stallholders, other local businesses and shoppers.
The campaign, part of the work of the WMCA’s Homelessness Taskforce, encourages people to make an online donation rather than giving directly to those asking for money on the street.
Every single donation personally benefits a person sleeping rough with trusted local charities and street teams working to identify those most in need and offer interventions that can really make a change to their personal circumstances.
Change into Action is making a difference right across the region, from helping to find a home, buy essential household items, personal care items and new clothes to boost confidence, health and wellbeing, to providing employment support and assistance to get to vital support services and appointments.
Cllr Thompson said: “The generosity of people across the West Midlands has been incredible – they have helped to change the lives of hundreds of others most in need. If you are able to donate anything, however small, it would mean a great deal of difference to those at risk of sleeping rough this Christmas.
“We know that addressing homelessness in the long term means tackling its root causes. It remains a priority to build more social and affordable housing so we can make sure everyone has somewhere to live, and is able to access jobs, training opportunities and the ongoing support they need to start rebuilding their lives.”
Donations can be made all year round online through a dedicated website - www.changeintoaction.org.uk.
Christmas shoppers and those on a night out can also donate with a tap of their bank card or mobile phone at contactless points set up in Birmingham by the Colmore Business Improvement District (BID). They are located at 200 Degrees Coffee Shop on Colmore Row and at Snowhill Station.
In Wolverhampton, there are donation points located in city centre businesses and two ‘tap to donate’ points located close to the city centre’s bus station and at Wolverhampton train station.
In Coventry, ‘tap to donate’ points are at Coventry Building Society in Broadgate and another at Timpsons, also in the city centre.
Cllr Mark Parker, chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Members’ Advisory Group and Solihull Council’s cabinet member for housing, added: “There are lots of reasons why people become homeless or find themselves sleeping rough and it’s really important that we all work together regionally to support vulnerable people who are faced with this.
“In Solihull, our Rough Sleeper Outreach Team works hard to help and support people to safely move off the streets and into accommodation. In the last year we have prevented 404 households from becoming homeless and helped 597 people into long term housing.
“But it’s a combined effort. We’re helped tremendously by our residents, partners and local businesses who continue to work with us, reporting people they think are rough sleeping to StreetLink, who pass the info back to the team. They also help by donating to Change into Action to provide additional support.
“Our message continues to be – nobody needs to sleep rough. Please help us by contacting StreetLink when you see someone sleeping rough, and if you’re able, please support Change into Action Solihull too.”
Change into Action was launched as a pilot in Birmingham in 2017 and subsequently rolled out across Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall, with Wolverhampton having a similar scheme called Alternative Giving CIO.
Cllr Francis, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “In Birmingham, we have dedicated Outreach Teams on the streets, 7 days and nights a week, and sufficient emergency accommodation, so there is an offer for all. We are committed to ensuring that there is a bedspace for anyone requiring it throughout the year.
“Every penny donated to Change into Action goes directly to help an individual who has been sleeping rough and needs help. Our trusted outreach charities make sure the funds go to where they are needed most, for instance, buying clothing, a phone to keep in touch, furniture for a home, and tools for a job. Over the years, thanks to the generosity of the Birmingham public, Change into Action has helped to improve the lives of hundreds of people sleeping rough in the city.”
For more information about Change into Action and the vital support donations provide to people experiencing homelessness in all parts of the region visit www.changeintoaction.org.uk.