Give Leicester launched last year and saw contactless donation points placed around the town enabling people to donate to One Roof Leicester at the tap of their card. Now, as this year’s new campaign is launched this week, we’re catching up on just what a big impact the scheme has already had.

Give Leicester has already raised over £25,000 to date in aid of the One Roof Leicester night shelter. Now, as everyone looks to continue working through the restrictions of the pandemic, there’s a new focus on fundraising aimed at addressing concerns facing the city’s most vulnerable people. As lockdown struck in March the night shelter was forced to close its doors and staff at One Roof worked tirelessly to ensure the safe accommodation of the individuals they support. We caught up with One Roof Manager, Salma Ravat, to find out more.

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“At the start of the lockdown the night shelter was forced to close and we worked with the council to ensure that the individuals we support were provided with temporary accommodation. Since then we’ve worked hard to source new properties which allow us to continue the service and support by our team at One Roof. Over the past few months we’ve acquired a number of shared houses and are now able to offer additional beds to what we had available at the night shelter.”

“We’re now able to provide additional support for the individuals who are referred to us. Rather than arriving and having a bed just for the night in the shelter, now they will have their own room.”

During its first campaign Give Leicester raised a huge £25,000, which provided a huge boost for One Roof. “The support we’ve received from Give Leicester so far has been incredible.” Salma commented.

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“The money went directly towards us providing accommodation for 15 people every night, and has allowed us to now provide further care and support. We’re able to work with them to assist with housing advice, employability support and links to specialist counselling and treatment services as well as identifying suitable education or training courses.”

Of course the lockdown period and ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic have meant that charities are no longer to fundraise in traditional ways, which has had a huge impact for One Roof. “Our donations have seen a 50% drop during these past few months. We’d usually hold a number of fundraising events and activities but Covid has put a stop to all of these.”

From 29 October all money raised through the Give Leicester donation points will be used to provide a new form of Covid-secure emergency accommodation in the city. This easy to use donation solution really does make a difference to the city. “We cannot thank the public enough for their support – every tap on a Give Leicester terminal helps make a difference to people’s lives”, Salma added.

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Give Leicester is funded and supported by BID Leicester and Leicester City Council, in partnership with Leicester Homelessness Charter. Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester, commented, “We have been blown away by the success of the Give Leicester campaign and the generosity of the public over the last 12 months, raising a remarkable amount of money.

“This year has thrown up unexpected challenges for people in all walks of life. As a society we have been reminded of the importance of home, having a stable environment to live in and a network of people to support us. BID Leicester, along with our members who host the contactless giving terminals in their businesses, are proud to continue to support this campaign to help the most vulnerable people in our community.”

A map of all giving points can be found at https://www.giveleicester.org/

 

Our BID Spotlight features are brought to you in collaboration with BID Leicester.

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