As a group that was working throughout Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum Jubilee celebration period, we wanted to make sure our regular visitors had the same level of celebration as everyone else.
Too often homeless communities are forgotten about during public celebrations while some of the homeless community simply have a crises of confidence, due to their social circumstances.
This year however, from Thursday 2nd June through to Sunday 5th June BACA held a mini celebration, that included music, jubilee bunting and flags and some jubilee inspired food. Even better, we brought our event out into the streets to bring us closer to our regular friends.
Our visitors were able to choose their own songs to be played on a small PA, while they ate their hot meals at a leisurely pace along the side of our community centre. Many of them turned out for each day and expressed how grateful they were for a celebration they often miss out on.
Food itself included a roast meal on Saturday and Sunday, along with the regular food bank items from Greggs and Marks and Spencers. Hot meals were provided by our regular partners on Thursday and Friday.
During the same period we were given free blankets to hand out for homeless people tackling the colder climate during evenings, that may not have warranted the full warmth provided by a duvet or sleeping bag.
Our arrangement with the local laundrette also meant that we were able to provide free washing powder to be used for free in local washing machines.
During the month of June we continued our help to the local Salvation Army Project by delivering 50 free meals twice a week, to be distributed to the Malachi Project shelter for the homeless. we also dropped food to several homes where people are not able to collect food for themselves.
Our work is expensive, we are required to use a vehicle to collect and deliver food, to pay for food and for utility costs. If you would like to donate to our regular Meals for the Needy project, you can do so (here).
