• Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
• Monday June 24 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Tap for Bristol distributes £20,000 of funding to homelessness charities

Bristol City Centre and Redcliffe & Temple Business Improvement Districts (BID) have distributed £20,000 from their TAP for Bristol initiative between three charities, with the combined aim to address and tackle the issue of homelessness in the city, by supporting those in need.

Bristol City Centre BID founded TAP for Bristol in partnership with Caring for Bristol in 2019. The initiative is now also supported by Redcliffe & Temple BID to raise funding for charities in support of people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

People in Bristol can donate using one of the 25 TAP points on business premises across the City Centre BID and Redcliffe & Temple BID areas, or online via the JustGiving page.

The beneficiaries of the latest round of donations are Emmaus Bristol, a charity supporting individuals in securing employment and independent living after experiencing homelessness, Survivors Leading Essential Education & Change (SLEEC), a survivor-run organisation that seeks to change systems and support survivors, and Caring In Bristol, the initiative’s charity partner.

Since May, the TAP for Bristol scheme has donated £5,000 to Emmaus, to financially support companions who are moving on into independent living. This includes financial help towards their first month’s deposit, rent and/or bills. Providing these grants gives the companions the confidence and means to take their next step away from homelessness.

An additional £5,000 was donated to SLEEC, an organisation led by survivors, with the aim of supporting survivors and changing conversations. The aim of the grant is to offer financial, practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and survivors of sexual violence in Bristol who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Caring in Bristol have received a further £10,000 towards their Z-House project, an emergency youth shelter providing short-term accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness, aged between 18- 25 whilst they secure move-on options. In addition to this, an additional £1,000 has supported the printing of Caring In Bristol’s handbooks.

These latest grants follow those made to a range of charities across the city in recent years totalling over £120,000.

Vicky Lee, head of Bristol City Centre BID said: “It’s positive to see so many members of the public helping to support those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in the city by supporting TAP for Bristol.

“Our three chosen charities do incredible work in assisting those in need and we are so grateful for the opportunity to give back to them through the initiative, ensuring the longevity of the life changing work that they do.”

Franscesca Blishen, support manager at Emmaus Bristol, said: “Our primary goal is to support people who have experienced homelessness to recover and regain their independence.

This funding from TAP for Bristol enables us to provide essential financial support to our residents as they transition into their own homes, empowering them to rebuild their lives and achieve lasting stability.”

Jenney Perez, head of trusts and foundations at Caring in Bristol, said: “The TAP initiative is enabling people and businesses in Bristol to support our projects that help prevent homelessness, as well as supporting young people to move away from a crisis. Together we’re creating lasting change in the city.”

Bryony Ball, project manager at SLEEC, said: “Supporting people during a critical period of their life by offering emergency care requires a deep level of understanding whilst being able to meet varied needs and experiences on an individual basis.

“As an organisation our emergency response work is accessible by being flexible and immediate, and we feel privileged to receive this funding from the TAP for Bristol scheme.

“It will assist us in continuing the work in keeping our community safe by offering direct intervention and emergency care that prevents further harm and homelessness.”