In Liverpool Simple Things Can Mean A Lot

/in /by

As part of the Liverpool Echo’s campaign to highlight the plight of the city’s homeless, they have listed six things all of us could do to help out.

  1. Call ‘No Second Night Out’. This brilliant initiative between Liverpool City Council and the Whitechapel Centre aims to ensure that no one has to sleep rough for more than one night. If you are worried about someone, you can let the Whitechapel Centre know by calling 0300 123 2041, or email info@whitechapelcentre.co.uk.
  1. Donate! Most charities will accept financial donations as well as other items, and may need volunteers – contact individual charities for details. There are also many other charities seeking to help homeless people in various circumstances in different ways, with most easy to find through Google.
  1. Support efforts to tackle the wider causes of homelessness. Tackling the issue is as much about preventing individuals and families from losing their home as supporting people who already have. Both Shelter and the Citizens Advice Bureau have Merseyside teams offering free, independent advice on housing and related issues such as debt and benefits.
  1. Help with fundraising. Why not encourage others to donate, too, by taking part in fun or challenging fundraising events, or even organising your own. At Bosco House, staff, volunteers and residents are taking part in a sponsored walk in July. If you want to help, give Sue or James a ring on 0151 944 1818 or email staff@boscohouse.org.uk .
  1. Use your vote! With the local elections coming up soon you could contact your local councilor, or candidates after your vote, to find out their policies on homelessness. All elected representatives and candidates want to hear people’s views, and can usually be contacted by email or their websites. Then you can not only decide whether to give them your vote – you are also showing them it is an issue that matters to local voters.
  1. Stop to chat. Many of the rough sleepers interviewed by the Liverpool Echo said they were frustrated and saddened by people’s attitudes towards them. Several said they were very happy when people stopped to chat, ask them about their day or ask how they came to be sleeping rough – even if people didn’t give money. Stopping to chat can also mean you are able to help someone get what they need most – which could be access to a phone, a bottle of water or new socks, rather than a coffee or a few quid.

So here are some simple, everyday things we can all do to help make someone’s day – or even life – better.