THE FRIARY APPEAL WINTER 2020

Nobody wants to be on the streets at this time of year. Help the Friary help the homeless this winter.

It's not only the longer term rough sleepers keeping us busy as present. We are seeing financial repercussions for many, with the pandemic already affecting employment opportunities as businesses struggle to remain viable. People on zero-hour contracts are being harshly affected.

On a positive note, we are seeing a number of people being newly housed, however, we are also seeing people new to homelessness. Some forced to spend nights in cars whilst support and temporary accommodation is sought.

We are seeing people on the edges of employment, turning up on our doorstep as they are not sure where else to turn. They need to lean on us for support, but we will need funding to keep pace. The Friary has stayed open throughout lockdown with staff on site providing support in a Covid secure manner. It is essential we stay open and are available to help the very vulnerable. If anyone needs support or you encounter someone who needs our help we are here for them.

There are many reasons why we are finding people need to leave their homes. Some have recently lost their jobs and do not know where to turn with many agencies remote working due to the pandemic. The Friary is open and helps anyone. Navigating the benefits scheme can be daunting at the best of times but when you are depressed, hungry and alone it can be too much to expect anyone to cope. Our staff are experienced in asking the right questions and enabling people to claim what is due to them whilst enabling them to get back on their feet. Our help does not end there as we realise people need ongoing emotional support and can signpost them to the relevant agencies. We have excellent links with key agencies across the City and County. Practical help, emotional & medical support and financial guidance are all essential to a person getting off the streets and staying safe.

Homelessness is a frightening experience. For those who have not experienced rough sleeping, it can be a daunting place at night and very unsafe. They do not always have a network of friends to help them.

Those new to rough sleeping find the experience hard. They are less resilient to the perils they are exposed to. We are concerned about those we already support, but equally concerned about those newly homeless and the Friary needs to be ready as an organisation to respond - we hope to expand our welfare benefits support service soon to keep pace with current trends.

Help make sure nobody is turned away this Winter.

Could you donate the cost of a meal or make a contribution towards the cost of providing practical and emotional support? Help the Friary to make sure people are not left hungry and alone.

Help address poverty in your neighbourhood, please donate to the Friary. Your help this Winter would be so appreciated, to help to make sure that fewer people go without.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Friary already throughout this particularly difficult year for us all.

https://the-friary.org.uk/