Safer Aberdeen’s Begging Boxes scheme provides homeless packs to city rough sleepers
22/02/12
Aberdeen City Council's Safer Aberdeen has handed over homeless packs to two projects which provide vital support to rough sleepers in the city.
The 50 packs, each of which provide a range of items for both personal hygiene and physical comfort, were paid for by money raised through Safer Aberdeen's Begging Boxes, a scheme which aims to help those in genuine need secure a more sustainable future. The Begging Boxes are positioned across the city and encourage people to think about giving directly to recognised charities.
The Bethany Christian Trust, a charity which supports 4,000 homeless and vulnerable people across Scotland, received 40 of the packs for its local projects. The remaining 10 will be donated to the Aberdeen Street Pastors, a group of volunteers who engage with people on the streets, offering support and advice.
Safer Aberdeen Programme Manager, Kerry Thomson said: "We are keen to get beggars off the street and help those in genuine need secure a more sustainable future. One way of achieving this is through the Begging Box scheme which supports projects working for homeless people in the city to help move them away from life on the streets. The purchase of the homeless packs is a fantastic example of the Begging Boxes scheme paying off and I am sure they will be well received when the Bethany Christian Trust and the Street Pastors distribute them."
Kerry added: "Research has shown that one of the main reasons for begging is to fund drug and alcohol addiction. Many people begging on the streets live chaotic lifestyles, therefore becoming homeless. Support is needed to address a complexity of needs. The best way the public can help people who street beg in Aberdeen is to donate to a Begging Box with 100% of donations going to organisations and community groups that help those in genuine need."
David Pratt, of Bethany Christian Trust, said: "Bethany provides a range of services that meet people at their point of need, providing support and assistance. This is achieved through joint working with Aberdeen City Council's Safer Aberdeen team, Grampian Police and other agencies in seeking to offer the help street beggars need to move into a more settled way of life. These homeless packs are a great resource in helping street beggars in their time of crisis."
The homeless pack has been specifically designed to provide a range of items to meet the needs of homeless people and rough sleepers. They contain a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, moist wipes, razor, foil blanket, pencil and pad, poncho and contraception. All items are presented in a compact nylon wallet.