The charity was formed by Amanda Evans, who whilst out running passed a homeless man in a doorway. The next day, Amanda was horrified to learn that the man had died. Haunted by this experience, Amanda setup Homeless Pembrokeshire in 2017 and in 2020 it registered as a charity.
Initially mobilising an army of knitters to knit woolly hats to send out all over Wales. Amanda quickly realised that the homeless situation in Pembrokeshire was greater than the official figures suggested, and she decided to do more.
In 2018 the charity started to issue its emergency rough sleeper pack. The pack consists primarily of a rucksack, tent, sleeping bag, some food, space blanket, cooking utensils, clothing, and anything else which might help including of course a woolly hat.
During Covid, Amanda switched to providing food aid to anyone in need and was part of the emergency food network. She collected food donations and delivered to vulnerable individuals and whole communities who were remote and cut off. Dropping off food at bus stops, which became known as “Bus Shops”.
It was during this time that Amanda herself became homeless after a marital breakdown. For two years Amanda sofa surfed, slept in her van and on the office floor, which took its toll and Amanda ended up in hospital with pneumonia, all the while still running the homeless charity. Eventually Amanda found a home with her faithful dog Eric.
After Covid, the charity flipped back to familiar ground, working with partner agencies to deliver humanitarian aid to people on the margins of society. Street homeless and others who were on the brink of becoming homeless. The charity continues this vital work, 365 days of the year, no matter the weather.
Homeless Pembrokeshire/ Homeless Carmarthenshire assists people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness by:
· Providing emergency rough sleeping packs
· Providing food aid
· Sign posting
· Referrals to partner organisations
· Welfare checks
· Educational talks and seminars
· Facebook Information hub #HomelessPembrokeshire #HomelessCarmarthenshire