East Midlands Charity Framework marked World Homeless Day on Sunday 10 October with an urgent appeal and fundraising events to attract support this winter…
This appeal for help is launched as street outreach workers in Nottingham report that more than 70% of the people they find sleeping rough are doing so for the first time.
From now to the end of January the Nottingham-based charity aims to raise £160,000 to support its work helping rough sleepers and others facing homelessness, resettling people into safe and suitable accommodation, and helping to build and develop new homes.
To reach this, they are running a sponsored Homeless to Home Challenge, inviting the public to walk, run, roll, cycle, swim, rollerblade, skate or whatever for any distance that suits their ability anywhere, anytime and at their own pace, individually or as part of a team, between Monday 1 and Tuesday 30 November.
They also are bringing back their Big Sleep Out, taking place for the first time at Nottingham Racecourse on Saturday 27 November with a distinctive festival vibe including great music acts, tasty street food, kids entertainment, a glamping option and more.
Framework’s Head of Fundraising and Communications Claire Eden said “The purpose of World Homeless Day is to draw attention to people who experience homelessness locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, so this is the perfect moment to ask the public for help.
“With the public’s support this winter we hope once again to help hundreds of people facing the danger and indignity of rough sleeping, supporting people into accommodation and continuing to develop the accommodation needed for the long term.”
Framework’s fundraising this winter is aimed at helping people like Kain who, after his best friend committed suicide, began experiencing severe mental health issues and used drugs to block out the pain. Unable to cope, Kain became addicted to mamba and formed damaging relationships which ultimately led to him losing his home. With nowhere to call home, Kain fell into a destructive cycle of rough sleeping and petty crime.
During the Covid pandemic Framework found hotel accommodation for Kain and worked with him on a daily basis to address his addiction and mental health issues. Kain’s support worker saw his potential and knew that finding a permanent home could help him break free from rough sleeping and petty crime.
“Having a home of my own, after my experiences, has been very important and I knew that if I could put down some foundations it would help me by giving me hope.”
In April 2021 Kain moved into his new flat and, with a place to call home for the first time in four years, he began to make plans for the future. Kain said “Having a home of my own, after my experiences, has been very important and I knew that if I could put down some foundations it would help me by giving me hope.”
Framework’s Big Sleepout takes place on Saturday 27 November at Nottingham Racecourse and you can get involved here: www.frameworksbigsleepout.com
Their Homeless to Home Challenge takes place between Monday 1 November and Tuesday 30 November and you can get involved here: www.frameworkha.org/challenge
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