The number of homeless people in Bristol is on the rise – almost 90 per cent in the last three years according to some statistics. As a wealthy city where most people sleep easy, Bristol once bucked the trend for the rising tide of homelessness across the country. However, in the last two years charities have seen a sharp rise in the number of people sleeping rough.
Perform Green decided to make some donations this Christmas to some charities in the Bristol area helping with this rising problem, in recognition of the great work they are doing.
The first is 1625 Independent People who have been helping 16 – 25 year olds to reboot their lives since 1983. Helping with housing, life skills, confidence-building, education, training, jobs and fun. They also run a mentoring scheme, and are always looking for inspiring mentors, if you are interested more information is available here.
We also donated to Emmaus Bristol. Emmaus support formerly homeless people by giving them a home, meaningful work in a social enterprise and an opportunity to get back on their feet again.
They offer 23 spaces in the community to homeless people and work in solidarity with other charities and campaigns across Bristol to help those most in need.
As well as Caring in Bristol. Caring in Bristol is a small, effective and local charity that looks after homeless and vulnerable people in Bristol. They are striving to create a society where everyone has a home, has hope and is a part of their community. Their volunteer-driven projects include Bristol Nightstop, which involves the recruitment of hosts for young and vulnerable people, Caring at Christmas, where our 800 volunteers help to provide shelter, food and clothing for people in need over the festive period, and the publication of the Survival Handbook, which contains a raft of useful information about Bristol’s homeless support services.
The team would like to wish everybody a very merry Christmas, here’s to a successful, happy and healthy 2017.