Homeless project makes move for charitable status
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Link Project, which supports homeless and vulnerable people, is making moves to become a charity.
The project - currently run by Stratford-on-Avon District Council - offers a free drop-in centre at 14 Waterside in the town centre where rough sleepers can get a hot drink, a snack and access to support services.
There are also shower, bathing and clothes washing facilities available.
But demand for its services has grown, most notably due to the increase in rough sleepers.
A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to raise £5,000 towards those services following an ongoing plea by council officials not to give money direct to rough sleepers.
It comes as the project seeks to move from being council run to a registered charity.
Ann Johnson, of project co-ordinator and the council's rough sleeper officer, said: "The project is working with local police and community agencies and aims to give each individual an individual support plan and personalised budget, but there is limited access to funding as it does not yet have full charitable status.
"The crowding page is intended to help reduce street begging by offering the public a means of supporting homeless and vulnerable people without giving to them directly.
"This means that money can go towards targeted support and is spent appropriately, with no chance of it being used to purchase illicit substances.
"We recognise that the community want to help. However not everyone begging on the street is homeless, often those most in need are not visible."
An awareness and fundraising concert that was cancelled earlier this month due to the snow has been rescheduled to take place on Friday, 13th April, at the United Reformed Church on Rother Street in Stratford, from 7pm to 10.15pm.
On the bill will be Nigel Clark from Britpop band Dodgy, blues singer Jack Blackman, Kristy Gallacher, Janice Burns and Jon Doranm 3 Brothers, poet Susie Silliet, and The Link Project Guys.
Entry is free with donations welcome.
