Housing and homelessness charity Shelter is urgently appealing for support for its helpline this winter, after seeing a surge from callers at serious risk of losing their home in the South West.
Over the last year, the helpline’s advisers spoke to more than 4,500 callers on the brink of homelessness – a staggering 44% surge from 2012.
Overall, the number of callers from the South West to the helpline – which is in part funded by Marks & Spencer (M&S) – rose to a record high of more than 15,000 over the same period.
St Petrock’s, Exeter’s charity for people who are homeless, has received further funding for its Private Rented Service which, so far, has successfully accommodated and continues to support 62 individuals who were previously homeless, in the local area.
The award has been made by Crisis, the national homelessness charity, as a result of additional government funding and aims to help 2,250 people who are homeless, over the next two years, by financially supporting projects around the country, like St Petrock’s in Exeter.
Leslie Morphy, chief executive of Crisis, said: “We...
Almost 200 members of the public have signed up to be a part of this sponsored sleep out on Saturday 15th March at The Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter.
Event organiser, Sophie Hodge, says “we are overwhelmed by the support of the community. So many people have come together to make a difference in the lives of homeless young people and I just want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to each of them.”
Radio Exe are the media sponsors, helping to host the event on the night. Thomas Westcott and Gilbert Stephens have sponsored Sleep Easy and Barclays,...
Sleep Easy, a sponsored sleep out event organised by local homelessness charity Exeter YMCA, last year attracted over 180 participants and raised over £30,000.
Adam worked with Exeter YMCA in the lead up to Sleep Easy 2013, even writing a song entitled Sleep Easy with the Exeter YMCA residents.
The song aimed to articulate the issues and prejudices experienced by the young residents who had gone through homelessness and it was debuted at the event itself.
Adam explains: “I was shocked to hear that one in every 100 young people in the UK experience homelessness and...
The Transitions Project is recruiting volunteers to act as mentors to people who are making changes in their lives, to improve their wellbeing and independence. Our clients may have been homeless, experienced mental health problems or addictions, or other difficult life experiences. Mentoring support can help clients manage change, set goals, improve their confidence and skills. Training and support is provided, the course consists of six Friday mornings starting 31 Jan. For an application pack, contact laura@eci.org.uk or phone 01392 205800.
Will You Sleep Rough So That Others Don’t Have To?
The aim is simple: get sponsored to sleep rough for one night, raising funds to help disadvantaged young people build a future.
Join us to sleep under the stars and help raise funds to support Exeter YMCA's work with homeless young people.
Music and other entertainment during the evening will make sure you have a great time and food and hot drinks will be available. All you need to do is make sure you’re well wrapped up!
Date: Saturday 15th March to Sunday 16th March 2014 Time: 8.00 PM to 7.00 AM Place...
2,082 children in the South West are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, according to the latest government figures.
The new statistics recorded at the end of September mean that, across Britain, nearly 85,000 children now face the reality of waking up homeless this Christmas morning. Shelter is warning that as the rising cost of living and cuts to the housing safety net continue to take their toll, many more parents are likely to find themselves facing an ongoing struggle to keep a roof over their children’s heads.
The amount of long term unfurnished empty properties in Teignbridge stood at 385, a reduction of 156 since the same time four years ago.
The figures have been released during National Empty Homes Week which is aimed at highlighting the waste of empty property nationwide and to celebrate the success of numerous examples and new initiatives to bring empty homes back into use.
Properties become empty for a variety of reasons, including owners moving into nursing homes or other properties going into probate. In most cases owners of empty properties do not want to leave them...
A homeless man in Exeter’s city centre has been attracting some attention for his imaginative approach to job hunting.
Ken Jones, 44, accompanied by his German Shepherd Bailey is refusing to take any cash from charitable passers-by and is instead looking for employment.
Holding a sign reading “Have you any work 4 me? Farm-Labour, Industrial Cleaning, Re-Cycling, Demolition, Builders Prep, will do Night watch”
Ken said: “I’d like to get a place on a farm for the winter. Get work and a place to stay. I’m from a farming background originally, from Wales.
The Guardian Charity Awards 2013 shortlist, announced today, has St Petrock’s, Exeter’s charity for people who are homeless, among its list of successful charities. Five of these charities will find out in October whether they will share the £25,000 prize money and other prizes.
Speaking on behalf of St Petrock’s, Mel Hartley, project manager, said “Obviously we’re delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award and would love to think that we may win an award.
“If we are successful with the Guardian Charity Award, we will use the prize money towards...
