BCAN (Bristol Christian Action Network) Helping Christians Respond To Social Needs Bristol Homeless Forum BHF News - 12 March 2015

Projects

Bristol Nightstop

The first tranche of Big Lottery funding was drawn down on 1st February. Tyrell Jarrett has been promoted to Project Lead and the team has moved into a larger office at The Station. This gives us more space for activities and workshops for our young people beginning with an Employability Course in March.

February stats:

Bristol Soup Run Trust

The Soup Run continues to run every evening with numbers around 100 per night. February and March were good months for donations of both cash and goods including a large consignment of sleeping bags. Our central storage facility is now fully operational. Should supply exceed demand we would consider distributing to other charities.

Caring in Bristol

CIB was a partner in the recent Homelessness Awareness Week and we anticipate that our team who took part in the Sleep Out raised over £3,000.

We also received a lot of interest at our stand at the Homeless Information Fair at the Galleries. Now that Bristol Nightstop is fully funded, CIB is reviewing its strategy and vision with a view to identifying further projects for development.

Strangers' Friend Society

Funds remain available for distribution – up to £75 worth of goods per person to provide the necessities of daily living. Contact Lindsey Jones.

Survival Handbook

The format continues to be improved and the next issue will include an at-a-glance daily summary of food and accommodation.

Other

Bear Pit Redevelopment

The plan agreed at the previous meeting was confirmed: that the last handout in the Bearpit will be on Saturday 14th March, and the first in St James Park will be on Saturday 21st March. The communication flyer will be available by Saturday 28th February, giving 3 weeks' notice.

• Meeting notes 13 February 2015
• FAQs

Homeless Forum

There is provisional agreement to the revised BCAN being accepted as an activity of the Churches Together in Greater Bristol, but the planned meeting had to be postponed.

As before, If anyone is interested in contributing to the revised BCAN, please let Paul know.

Mayor’s Fund 2015

This year the mayor’s fund is targeted at the prevention of homelessness and all organisations involved in this type of work can apply to the fund. Please see via tDhe link below the video that has been produced to promote the fund and its aims and objectives.

• Mayor’s Fund video

The Rucsac Project

The Rucsac Project distribution in Bristol took place on Saturday 15 November 2014. Does anyone have any feedback on this?

• Rucsac Project web site
• Rucsac Project Facebook page