Winter Appeal

Aim

The Cost of Living crisis affects us all. Help us to provide a warm and welcoming Safe Space for rough sleepers this winter.

Cost of Living Crisis impact on Homelessness 

Safe Space - Can you help local rough sleepers during this winter time?

There are many people in Derby that don't have anywhere to stay, nowhere that they can call home. These people are vulnerable and may have never planned to be in this position. They live a chaotic lifestyle which, in most cases, leads to damaging consequences.

Many individuals that we meet find themselves homeless due to a family breakdown, being an ex-prisoner, maybe struggling with addiction and mental health challenges. Jesus taught us to look out for those that are in need through relationship and compassion.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me - Matthew 25:35

We work with many partners and volunteers to meet this need in the hope that those individuals that find themselves without a home, can address the cause as well as be cared for, moving on to a secure lifestyle and becoming a contributing member of society.

Who are Derby City Mission Ltd?

Derby City Mission (DCM) are a registered Christian charity and operate out of a community hub based in Derby City, Derbyshire, supporting those in need in the City and surrounding areas. DCM provide free advocacy advice for debt, benefit, housing and homelessness issues as well as operate a foodbank, community pantry, community hot meals, a 24/7 Safe Space for the homeless, counselling service, wellbeing café, 1:1 befriending, cooking on a budget classes, lifeskills training to help people manage their home. 

Last year we helped over 10,500 people out of crisis situations. We provided food to over 5500 people; set up a new community shop so that people could choose their own food with dignity and we provided telephone befriending to 30 isolated people who had been affected by Covid-19.  Towards the end of the year we carried out face to face befriending to 94 people at the wellbeing café.  At our ‘Jubilee’ clinics we held over 3,340 debt and benefit appointments which prevented 43 evictions, supported 60 people threatened with bailiffs and successfully realised over £1.55 million financial outcomes including £1.1 million debt written off for our deprived communities.  As part of our Christmas Connection project we also distributed 850 present parcels to children who would otherwise receive no presents.  The presents were valued at £50 per bag and benefitted children from disadvantaged families.

At our ‘Safe Space’ facility in Derby City which is open 24/7 365 days of the year, we supported 244 homeless individuals compared to 171 last year.  Approximately 70% of these homeless are young adult care leavers who have often suffered childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, lack of positive and constant role model and lack of life skills training.  This is being achieved through the development of trusting, caring relationships, the identification of, and addressing the root cause of their homelessness, the teaching of basic life skills (for example how to manage a home and budget) plus addressing mental and physical health issues, dependencies and supporting ex-offenders to lead fulfilled lives through positive life choices. 

This project successfully funded on 19th January 2023