IT WAS announced earlier this month that Bournemouth is to pilot a ground-breaking scheme to provide contactless giving points for people to donate money to rough sleepers.
The initiative, called Change for Good, is fronted by the Homelessness Partnership for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, a collective organisation consisting of many local charities, businesses and public sector organisations.
With the launch of the campaign expected in the coming weeks, we had an in-depth chat with Alistair Doxat-Purser, chair of the Partnership Forum, to find out some more information about the project.
Where has the initial funding come from?
Alistair said: “Funding has come from a range of organisations so far.
“The Homelessness Collaboration have put some money into it, as have the community infrastructure levy and the BID so there is some money there which has allowed us to buy the terminals.
How many terminals will there be and where can I find them?
“We are looking at setting up seven starter locations across Poole and Bournemouth with the expectation of installing more across the conurbation in the future,” said Alistair.
The sites of six of the terminals have been confirmed, with the position of the seventh yet to be named.
The locations of the first six terminals are:
- HSBC Bank Plc, High St, Poole
- HSBC, Old Christchurch Road
- Naked Coffee, Lansdowne
- Bournemouth Library, The Triangle
- Next to YMCA Bournemouth, Westover Road
- Hope and More, Seabourne Road
Alistair added: “We are also looking to bring in countertop terminals which will allow people to donate at cafes restaurants and shops, and there is one hotel in Bournemouth that is looking to try it out.”
Where will the money go?
Alistair said: “The money will go into a central pot which is Change for Good. It will be independently managed by Dorset Community Foundation so none of the parties involved will be able to influence it.
“We are trying to put more funds into that pit so that 100 per cent of people donations can go to the homeless and not on administration costs.
“When there are sufficient funds, DCF will invite local charities and groups to bid either for small amounts to help an individual make steps away from the street, or for large amounts for specific projects to benefit a wider group of those facing homelessness.
“There is already some money in that pot and charities can bid to have a certain amount of money from that and can do what they like with it, whether that is providing food and clothes for the homeless or getting a fridge for someone’s accommodation.
“The bidding process is going out at the moment. What we are hoping for is that after a sizable amount of money comes in from these terminals, then we can have the next lot of bidding.
How does the funding get to the individuals on the street?
“The money will go to the individual via the charity and not straight to them.
“One of the charities has talked about installing public lockers so that rough sleepers have somewhere we to store their gear during the day, so it isn’t left out in public. Some of the money that goes into Change for Good can pay for that.”
Where are Change for Good at with the installation of these terminals?
“It is all to do with fitting plugs, said Alistair. “Each window will be slightly different in shape and appearance.
“We are looking to have them up and running by the end of May or the beginning of June, but they should be installed in no more than two weeks.
“Each terminal has its own unique issues which we will need to overcome which will be on a case-by-case basis.
“It is very close now.”
How does it differ to giving money to a rough sleeper on the street?
Alistair said: “It is one of the difficult issues. When people see other individuals begging, they are not sure of their circumstances.
“We know that people want to help but do not want to give money who are not actually homeless and want the money to be used in a positive way. This at least give them the assurance that the money that give will go to the individual and used in the right way.
“Some people are concerned about what happened to the fiver that they give to a man on the street.
“It is important to emphasise that begging doesn’t equal rough sleeping and vice versa.”
Who have been behind this project?
“The exciting thing is that we have a partnership of around 50 or 60 businesses and organisations.
“There are ones covering the accommodation sector, we have the local authorities on board, the BID, Bournemouth University, many charities, the BCHA and representatives from Dorset Healthcare.
“It is truly a cross party initiative.”
How many times can people give money?
As many as times as they want.
If someone wants to give bigger amounts more regularly, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/changeforgoodBournemouth.
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