NEWS RELEASE

PR 962

For Immediate Release 30 September 2002

Helping the homeless

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

THREE local charities have benefited from a scheme run by Bath & North East Somerset Council which aims to help the homeless and disadvantaged in the city centre of Bath.

Julian House, The Drugs and Homeless Initiative and The Genesis Trust will all receive financial support.

The Focus Collection Scheme has been running for the past four years and was originally set up to generate funds that could be distributed towards projects which directly assist the homeless and disadvantaged in Bath.

Cllr Steve Hedges, Executive Member for Community Safety, Housing and Consumer Services, said: "This is an excellent project and it ensures that all the cash given directly benefits the homeless on the streets.

"For the many who want to help, but not give directly to individuals, the Focus Collection Scheme provides an acceptable alternative way of helping."

The Drugs and Homeless Initiative will receive £800 to refurbish their group room.

Julian House will receive £1,300 for a new washing machine that deals with the significant volume of laundry at their night shelter.

The Genesis Trust have been given £1,209 for essential kitchen equipment, New board games for the Sunday Centre and sponsorship for an away day scheme for their clients.

This ‘Lunch Box’ scheme is an innovative programme that offers homeless people a chance to break from the familiar routine and has proved extremely beneficial to clients in making and developing relationships.

The Focus Collection Scheme will provide financial support to the homeless and disadvantaged charities of Bath for as long as the generous donations continue.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is looking to add more collection boxes at various locations around the city so the scheme can further support the homeless and disadvantaged charities of Bath City Centre.

If you can help please contact Robert Sketchley, Policy and Projects Assistant – Economic Development and Sustainability, on Tel: 01225 397822 or e-mail robert_sketchley@bathnes.gov.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

A photo call has been arranged at 1.45pm on Thursday, October 3 at Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath where representatives from Julian House, The Drugs and Homeless Initiative and The Genesis Trust will be given cheques by Cllr Steve Hedges.

Photographers are invited to attend – please report to the main reception and ask for Robert Sketchley.

Begging in the streets of Bath is a concern to both our residents and visitors. The Focus Scheme, now in its fourth successful year, was established as a result of multi-agency discussions between the Council, Police, homeless groups, and resident and traders associations.

The aim of the scheme is to address the problem of aggressive begging in Bath City Centre and raise money which can be redistributed via homelessness, drug and alcohol charities to assist the needs of beggars. The Council asks you to place your change directly in one of the FOCUS collection boxes situated throughout the City Centre rather

For more information, contact:

Robert Sketchley, Policy and Projects Assistant - Economic Development and Sustainability, on Tel: 01225 397822 or e-mail robert_sketchley@bathnes.gov.uk

For comment, contact:

Cllr Steve Hedges, Executive Member for Community Safety, Housing and Consumer Services, on Tel: 07971 270879 or e-mail stephen_hedges@bathnes.gov.uk

Issued by: Richard Cottle, Bath & North East Somerset Press Office on 01225 477283

pressoffice@bathnes.gov.uk