Redbridge Together

“We’ve got to raise awareness. We all have to do something about it. We can’t leave it to somebody else.” 

– Russell, previously homeless and now a member of Staff at The Salvation Army 

What is Redbridge Together?

Redbridge Together is a collaborative campaign started by local charities, businesses, the London Borough of Redbridge and The Ilford Recorder with the aim to rebuild lives of rough sleepers in the borough. Together, we can rebuild the lives of those without a home in Redbridge.

Our aim is to initially fundraise £50,000 to support rough sleepers, but our ultimate ambition is to raise £500,000. The money raised will be donated to local charities The Salvation Army and The Welcome Centre to support a long-term solution to help people off the streets and the short-term needs people face today.

What is the issue and what is it an issue?

Homelessness is a big issue in Redbridge. With 1 in 48 people being homeless in the borough, it ranks number 11 in the country for homelessness; over 65 people are sleeping rough in the borough. Many of these rough sleepers don’t have access to welfare or benefits.

How will the money support rough sleepers? 

• The Salvation Army are launching a ‘pop up’ hostel called Project Malachi, which will see 42 shipping containers constructed in Ilford where rough sleepers can get off the street and start to rebuild their lives. Eight of these containers will be for people who have no access to welfare or benefits. Project Malachi was born out of the frustration of the same individuals attending the winter night shelter at The Salvation Army year on year and nothing changing. The project will run for 5 years and aims to reduce the number of people sleeping rough in Redbridge over that time.
• Some funding will also go the to the Welcome Centre which is a well-respected local a day centre for homeless people. It helps with providing hot meals, showers, clothing, laundry but also advice and support, training and employment and a nurse led clinic supporting health and mental health.

What difference could you make? 

At the Welcome Centre:

• £5 would provide hot meals for a homeless person for a week
• £10 would pay for a session with a chiropodist
• £25 would provide a one to one support session
• £50 would pay for one motivational workshop for up to 10 people
• £100 would pay for group exercise classes for a month
• £150 would provide a Back to Work training course for a homeless person
• £250 would pay for a series of Life Skills workshops
• £500 would pay for 12 sessions with a trained counsellor

Photo: Welcome Centre

For the Salvation Army's Project Malachi (based on current estimates):

• £11,000 would provide accommodation and 2.5 hours of support work per week for a year
• £55,000 would provide accommodation and 2.5 hours of support work per week for Five Years

Photo: Community Engagement for Project Malachi 

Read More

• Read more on the Ilford Recorder here
• Hear from M&S’s store manager James Mugford on his blog here

Photo: Fundraising Efforts at M&S 

Please support today #RedbridgeTogether