GIVE Leicester donations raise over £48,800 to help homeless people in Leicester

November 29 2023 3:15 pm

All donations over the next year will be given to Leicester-based registered charity Help the Homeless Leicester, which provides services to help homeless people get off the streets. It is hoped that a new push in donations this winter will provide vital help for people experiencing homelessness.

The GIVE Leicester scheme in Leicester has raised a remarkable £48,800 to help homeless people – the equivalent of 19,520 hot meals at The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, one of the charities to receive GIVE Leicester donations over the last 3 years.

Over the last two years of receiving GIVE Leicester donations, The Bridge Homelessness to Home helped over 120 off of the streets and into accommodation. GIVE Leicester’s donation points, placed across the city centre, have allowed members of the public to easily help individuals who are homeless or have recently experienced homelessness in Leicester. A simple £3 donation, made by tapping a credit or debit card at these contactless points, has been the catalyst to provide much-needed additional support in the community.

This initiative – a collaboration between BID Leicester and Leicester City Council in partnership with Leicester Homelessness Charter – has not only made donating simpler but also more secure. All funds are directed to local charities, ensuring that every pound donated goes directly to those in need.

To date, GIVE Leicester has supported organizations like One Roof UK and The Bridge Homelessness to
Hope, and now, it proudly introduces Help the Homeless Leicester as its latest partner charity. Help The Homeless Leicester provides relief and assistance to those facing homelessness or rough sleeping in Leicester and the surrounding areas. The organisation’s approach includes giving material aid, signposting to services, housing and employment support, emergency accommodations, and ongoing assistance for individuals after securing housing. The charity also aims to boost self-esteem, empower individuals, and encourage independent living through trusted relationships.

The commitment of BID Leicester to creating a safer and more attractive Leicester city centre is evident through numerous initiatives, including supporting St. John Ambulance at key dates throughout the year, enhancing street cleaning services, and transforming vacant shop units into art installations. BID Leicester’s project ‘GIVE Leicester’ aims to help tackle the problem of rough sleeping in the city centre.

Automatic £3 donations with each tap help the public know where their money is going and that it will help to make a difference to vulnerable people. All donations over the next year will be given to registered charity Help the Homeless Leicester, which provides services to help homeless people get off the streets. It is hoped that a new push in donations this winter will provide vital help for people
experiencing homelessness.

“The success of GIVE Leicester is a testament to the power of collective action and the generosity of our community,” says Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester. “The impact achieved through this initiative goes far beyond the numbers – it reflects the positive transformation of lives. We are committed to making Leicester a safer, more attractive city for everyone who calls it home.”

“As we have seen from news stories over the last weeks, political discourse around the problem of homelessness is currently often hostile, which is unhelpful for those experiencing homelessness and people who are trying to help tackle the issue. As a BID, we see GIVE Leicester as a practical way that we can enable everyone to do their bit to help.”

“Every small donation of £3 adds up to make a huge change to the lives of real people. These figures represent more than just donations; they symbolize the lives touched, the hope given, and the progress made in the fight against homelessness in Leicester.”

Deputy city mayor for housing and neighbourhoods Cllr Elly Cutkelvin said: “We know that lots of people who come into the city want to do their bit to tackle the problem of homelessness, and it is a testament

to their generosity that the GIVE Leicester initiative has raised nearly £50,000 over the last three years.

“This winter, donations made via GIVE Leicester will be supporting Help the Homeless Leicester – a charity
the city council works closely with.

“Charities provide an invaluable level of help and support that complements the accommodation we offer at the Dawn Centre and the wider services we provide. I would like to thank everyone who supports this work each time they donate £3 via the GIVE Leicester scheme.”