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Homelessness Sunday 2004
This was Homelessness Sunday 2004
Struggling to eat well. Homelessness and healthy eating research results
This was Homelessness Sunday 2005
Homelessness Sunday 2005
Resource Packs
Homelessness Sunday Partnership
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Paradise Furniture Project
Hemel Hempstead
How did it go?
The arches of Hemel's Old Town Hall may look cosy in the picture, but believe us, it is quite a wind tunnel and chilly enough in the early hours of the morning for Ray, Jeremy and William not to have plans to sleep there again in the near future.
As part of a programme of displays and events at Hemel's Old Town Hall Art Centre, between Saturday lunchtime and Sunday lunchtime the project furnished part of the covered market area of the Old Town Hall as a bedsit. Unsurprisingly, we received a lot of attention: some puzzled; some rowdy (the local lads wanting to know when Vinnie Jones was joining us); many glad to find out more about our work. That night, except for occasional trips to the Old Bell to buy refreshments (note: all consumed off the premises), the project's three strays spent 14 hours camped under the arches. Although temperatures outside were minus three that night, the edge was taken off the cold by the shelter of the arches as well as thick sleeping bags and thermal underwear. We even managed some sleep between the teenage ravers heading home and the dawn chorus. None of us, though, would describe it as a refreshing experience! And then there were four… A dose of reality came along at midnight, when Paul, a local chap who has been homeless for over a year, came to claim his pitch. He was grateful for the bed we had brought with us for the display and for the sausage and chips we bought him, but did not appreciate Ray's snoring too much! Paul had very limited bedding as he explained that his shopping trolley, containing all his possessions, had been set alight some days earlier.
As a result, the first purchase the project has made with the money raised has been a decent sleeping bag and a thermal mat to help Paul through the cold spell predicted this week. He was delighted and he has promised to pop into the project for a cup of tea now and then – though not so regularly, he assured us, as to cramp his free-wheeling lifestyle!
How much was raised?
It is difficult to tell until all the forms are in, but we estimate that the money raised may pass £1000, which is double what we expected. People's generosity has been amazing and everyone at the project is stunned that their work can attract such widespread support. In addition to helping out Paul, it has been decided that the money raised should pay for new equipment to help the project continue to reach those who are most in need of furniture. Essential new equipment
The main focus of the domestic furniture recycling scheme is to both save good quality, unwanted furniture from needless waste and help people on low incomes have access to affordable furniture. A key element of the second part of this focus is to provide a priority service for people in urgent need, who are referred to us by a range of agencies, including Social Services, domestic violence charities and the Community Mental Health Team. People referred in this way are logged onto a specially- designed database. This enables us to keep a record of all referrals and our contact with them, and easily identify who is next on the list for shortage items. Our current computers are close to collapse and, as the speed and efficiency of the referrals system depends on a computer, we feel buying a new one is the best way your donations can support the long-term future of this priority service. In addition, we are always looking for ways in which we can improve access to our service by those that find it hardest to get to us, for example the elderly, and people living in villages a long way from Hemel, who have no transport. As these people can often be in the greatest need, we are very keen to try to establish an outreach project, whereby we get to them, rather than waiting for them to get to us. Through use of a digital camera and a colour printer a project worker or volunteer could go armed with pictures of items of furniture that are currently available to specially-targeted meetings and events (play groups, clubs for the elderly, jumble sales etc.). This way people who struggle to access our service could acquire furniture without leaving their community! Your donations will help us to purchase this equipment and pay for the running costs (travel, printing and staff costs) to pilot such an outreach scheme. How to contribute
If you have sponsored the sleep-out and have not yet sent your contribution, please send a cheque payable to DCVS (Dacorum Council for Voluntary Service – our umbrella organisation) to William Allen, Paradise Furniture Project, c/o DBC Housing, Paradise Industrial Estate, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4TQ.
For more information
Please contact us at this address or call 01442 241716. If you, or someone you know lives in the Hemel / Tring / Watford / St Albans area and is in urgent need of furniture or white goods, please contact Wendy Dove (Domestic Furniture Recycling Scheme Manager) on 01442 263197 for more information, or to arrange for us to post or fax a referral form. |
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