4 ways to give on #GivingTuesday
Released at the end of October, the latest government quarterly statistics (1 April - 30 June 2021) for statutory homelessness assessments and activities in England make stark reading:
6,040 households were initially assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness and owed a statutory homelessness duty, up 1.0% from April to June 2020
31,210 households were assessed as being threatened with homelessness, and therefore owed a prevention duty, up 18.4% from the same quarter last year and linked to a 105.0% increase in threatened homelessness due to service of a Section 21 notice to end an Assured Shorthold Tenancy to 3,280 households.
Households with children owed a relief duty increased 27.9% from the same quarter last year to 8,250 households in April to June 2021.
You can download the report here.
We have seen an increase in people who are homeless and experiencing rough sleeping; in October, our team welcomed 575 people through our door and supported four people into accommodation.
We’re one of the many charities taking part in this year’s Giving Tuesday.
Held on 30 November, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving. A day where everyone, everywhere can do something to support the good causes and communities that mean so much to them. It is a day to celebrate and encourage giving in all its forms.
The meaning of the word ‘give’ is to offer something to someone, or to provide someone with something.
Giving is something we do every day at the Ark.
Through our day centre services, we give hot meals and drinks, and essential facilities such as a hot shower, laundry, internet, and phone charging.
We give clothes, sleeping bags, sanitary products for women, personal care products, food supplies and many other essential items for daily life.
We give a warm welcome, emotional support and ongoing practical help to enable people to find permanent accommodation and move forward with their lives.
We give opportunities for activities such as art, creative writing, football and our allotment.
Through our partners, we give support services including, GP and Mental Health clinics, and counselling.
We give a safe space, and support for people to meet with other vital service providers and organisations.
We give an outreach service to help people who cannot or will not access our services via the day centre. Our teams go out in our community to check on rough sleepers, giving hot drinks, and vital support and ensuring that everyone knows how to access our services.
Ultimately, we give people an opportunity to make positive changes to their lives, and for others who are unable to make decisions or make that step, we give support for them to live each day.
And we give a little bit more
We give employment for seven staff, including our manager and support workers.
We give a huge amount of volunteer opportunities too.
4 ways you can give
Give your time
1. Our volunteers are the proud recipients of a Queens Voluntary Service Award, in recognition of their hard work in support of Shropshire’s homeless and vulnerable.
Without our volunteers we simply wouldn't exist and we are always recruiting for more!
Whether it’s working in the kitchen, helping with the filing or organising a fundraiser – WE NEED YOU! Find out how you can volunteer here.
2. Give financially
As the only charity in the Shrewsbury providing day centre services for the homeless and vulnerable, we are so grateful to our supporters to help us give. We are very blessed with giving from local businesses, such as SY Homes, and also giving from the community and grants to help us with renovations at the former Rock and Fountain.
There are many costs we simply can’t avoid.
For instance:
Replace two gas boilers and hot water cylinder, £6,984 +VAT: £8380
Install laundry, toilets and shower (including Accessible facilities), £12,080+ VAT: £14,496
Kitchen refurbishment: £6220 + VAT: £7464 (to date)
Fire alarm, £4485 + VAT: £5382 (plus other necessary fire proofing standards, such as doors)
Full electric re-wire, £16550 + VAT: £19860
You can donate via our gofundme page here.
3. Give as you Live - shop online
If you shop online, we encourage you to use the shopping platform Give as you Live. Simply sign up for an account and start raising when you shop through at any of the 5,500 retail partners. From your handy dashboard, just click on the retailer you want to buy from and you'll be directed to their website where you can continue to shop as normal. Your purchase will automatically give a donation for us.
More information and sign-up details here.
4. Give us a shout out and follow us on social media!
