Rising costs hit Christmas appeal from Homelessness Partnership BCP

The Homelessness Partnership BCP, a venture made up of more than 40 local organisations including the council, is issuing an urgent appeal for donations as the soaring cost of living, inflation and economic turbulence places pressure on services dedicated to tackling homelessness in the conurbation.

Every year, the partnership works to provide safe accommodation for those in need ahead of winter to help them on the road to independent living.

However, as costs rise, the partnership says its accommodation for homeless people this year could lack essentials such as bedding and cooking equipment.

Partnership Forum chair, Alistair Doxat-Purser, said: “Traditionally, during the countdown to Christmas, the nation’s thoughts turn to helping those who face a bleak midwinter without a safe place to call home.

Christmas appeal from the Homelessness Partnership BCP. (Image: St Mungo's)

“Organisations within the Homelessness Partnership BCP face immense financial challenges when it comes to providing basic items for people who were formerly rough sleeping, when they go into safe accommodation.

“The rising cost of providing everyday essentials from toiletries to cooking equipment, furniture and white goods is placing services under intense pressure. Money donated via the Change for Good contactless giving points and our JustGiving page goes directly to charities and organisations that help those recovering from the trauma of rough sleeping into safe, secure homes.”

Grants awarded from donations are independently managed on behalf of Change for Good by the Poole-based Dorset Community Foundation (DCF).

It costs around £250 to provide a bed and mattress, £150 to supply a washing machine and £200 for a fridge among other costs.

DCF director Grant Robson said: “Without financial support, people who are helped off the streets are at risk of moving into empty accommodation that doesn’t even have a bed for them to sleep on. By providing a secure home and basic cleaning, cooking items and furniture, money raised goes a long way towards setting people on the road to independent living.”

Homelessness Partnership BCP's Change for Good contactless giving point. (Image: Homelessness Partnership BCP)

Between April to September this year, residents in the BCP region kindly donated more than £8,000 to the Change for Good initiative.

A breakdown in donations is as follows:

• Helping Homeless Veterans (£1,000). Goods for supported accommodation.
• Bournemouth YMCA (£500). Furniture for clients moving into accommodation.
• Routes to Roots, Poole (£1,000). Drop-in sessions and a women’s group for rough sleepers.
• Safe and Sound Dorset (£1,000). Supporting women into new accommodation.
• Dorset Working Women’s Project (£1,000). Essential items for 20 vulnerable women moving into supported accommodation.
• Boscombe Salvation Army (£1,000). Furniture for homelessness drop-in centre.
• BCHA (£985). Kitchen goods for 40 residents at a Bournemouth hostel.
• Hope Housing (£500). Move-in packs for ten new residents in supported accommodation.
• Safe and Sound Dorset (£500). Orthopaedic bed for disabled woman in new accommodation.

Visit justgiving.com/campaign/changeforgoodBournemouth to donate or homelessnesspartnershipbcp.org/dl/giving-points to find a Change for Good contactless giving point.