On the 16th August we are going to be roller blading or biking a half marathon to create a fund that will help us to engage and motivate those that sleep rough to move forward in their lives. Our team is made up Annie (Outreach worker), Jamie (Outreach worker) and Sam (Jamie's son), Sam (Big Issue foundation worker) and Sarah (case co-ordinator).

The outreach team in Bath is managed by Julian House and DHI (Developing Health and Independence) in a joint partnership. We spend a huge amount of time engaging rough sleepers and our role is to help them make changes and move forward.

There are a considerable amount of rough sleepers in Bath and we are hoping to use the fund to engage those that are hard to reach and potentially engage them in something that will inspire or motivate them to start making steps forward in moving off the streets. The fund will allow us to 'personalise' our support and will inevitably assist us in the 'relationship building' process that is all important in this type of work. Once trust has been developed between the worker and the client the hard work can begin. This process could involve many chats and coffees away from the services that the client is not keen to engage in. The fund could help us take someone on a trip somewhere that will interest them or take part in an activity that will help to reintegrate them if they have been socially excluded from society for some time.

For those that are starting to make changes we hope the fund help in our support planning to incorporate things that will make a difference and help to maintain a life away from the street. This could mean a college course, art materials, a musical instrument or lessons, training, sports equipment, an all important passport, a loan for equipment to set up a small business such as decorating or cooking and so much more, the list could be endless. Basically, whatever the client needs and has an interest in and will help them progress towards their goals.

Thank you so much for coming to the page. This is very important to us and I know by supporting us you will be making a huge difference to a number of people's lives.