December 20, 2018

Kings Heath BID’s efforts to help those in need this Christmas

Statistics aren’t required to prove homelessness is on the rise, it is visible to see the amount of rough sleepers is at a critical high in not only our local community but nationwide. Why people end up homeless is complex and may not always be understood but the Kings Heath BID want to do everything in their power to ensure the cycle of homelessness is broken.

Over the past 12 months, the BID team have been proactively working to reduce and prevent homelessness in the local community. Working together with a number of agencies such as Sifa Fireside, Moseley CDT, the police, and local churches to name a few, the BID team have helped provide support to a multitude of rough sleepers through a wide range of programmes. It is our aim to combat the stigma around ‘homelessness’ and take a proactive approach in supporting those in our community that need us the most; we have made some considerable progress in ensuring those in need are claiming any benefits that they are entitled to, assisting them with getting accommodation and, if required, enrolling them on to substance misuse programmes. As a result of working with #, we have found that the number of rough sleepers and street beggars has reduced considerably along Kings Heath High Street compared to December 2017. In December 2017 there would be a daily average of 4 or 5 street beggars on the High Street, in comparison to a daily average of 0 or 1 in December 2018.

Kings Heath BID would like to thank Swift Launderette (pictured) at 52 Poplar Road, Kings Heath, for their recent, rather generous, clothing donation. The clothing will be passed on to our friends at Kings Heath Baptist Church, where there is currently a station set up to help those less fortunate in our community. The station holds a washing machine as well as shower facilities. The Kings Heath BID have donated a variety of grooming products, including soap, safety razors and shampoo for these facilities.

 It is this continued support from local businesses and members of the Kings Heath community that will help to provide a safe space for people in need. Together we can combat homelessness!

‘Christmas is the spirit of giving, it is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others’. Find time this December for those less fortunate than yourself, and spread the festive cheer anyway you can.

Volunteers, donations and festive cheer warmly welcomed this Christmas:

 

Feet First, All Saints Centre, 2b Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, B14 7RA

 

Feet First will be providing hot soups, pot noodles, tea, coffee, breakfast bars, chocolates, crisps and snacks for those in need on 25th December. They will be open on Christmas Day from 10am – 12:30pm. Access is via the main All Saints Centre door. Phil and Amanda from Feet First would welcome any donations of warm clothing (jackets, hat, gloves and trousers) and food to be dropped off on Christmas morning. Any goods not distributed will be taken to the Birmingham Christmas shelter.

 

All Saints Centre, 2b Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, B14 7RA

 

Volunteers wanted for the Community Christmas Lunch 2018 at All Saints Centre, as well as gifts of wine, satsumas, chocolates or Christmas crackers. Transport can be arranged within a 6 mile radius of All Saints. All ages and backgrounds welcome to attend the Community Christmas Lunch 2018 this Christmas Day. 9am / 11am – Christmas Day mass at St. Dunstans. 10am – Christmas Day Communion at All Saints. 11:45 (approx) – Drinks and nibbles in the Welcome Area, with carol-singing and decoration-making. 1:30pm (approx) – Lunch. 4pm (approx) – Finish. A £5 contribution towards the cost of the Christmas meal is appreciated. Please call 0121 444 7267 or email christmastogetherkh@gmail.com to register a place.

 

Kings Heath Baptist Church, 80 High Street, Birmingham, B14 7JZ

 

Food Bank service for those in need returns Wednesday 2nd January, between 12pm and 2pm at Kings Heath Baptist Church. Warmly accepting donations of toiletries and any in date non-perishable foods. Any donations can be dropped into the Church coffee shop any time between 10am and 3pm – Monday to Friday.

 

St. Anne’s Church & Parish Hall, Park Hill, Moseley, B13 8DU

 

Christmas Day Together – Meal, Drinks, Gifts and company – All welcome. 25th December from 12 noon – 3:30pm at St. Anne’s Church Hall. Supported by Moseley Farmer’s Market, St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s. Local transport can also be provided if needed – TEL: 0121 449 2243 or text 07946015360. Warmly accepting cash donations via St. Anne’s or St. Mary’s Church.