The Real Change Fund
In Bedford alone just 6 people were accounted for as rough sleeping in the government statistics during Autumn 2020. However we know over 360 individual people claimed emergency accommodation as part of the governments 'Everyone In' response to the pandemic.
Most of us want to help, but don't always know the best way to do that.
Our response in 2019 introducing the The Bedford Homeless Partnership and the Real Change Bedford fund.
What is the Real Change Bedford Fund?
The Real Change Bedford fund is set up to provide financial help and support to charities and organisations offering homeless services within Bedford Borough who are part of our partnership. Services include providing accommodation, financial support, physical and mental health services, supplying hot meals and continued food and everyday items, sustenance, counselling, rehabilitation, training and much more.
Most of our charities fund their services by utilising contracts awarded by the local authority or grants through independent funders. However, because of the nature of the work, extra resources and costs are unaccounted for which is where our extra pot of money is so valuable.
Our emergency pot of funding allows our charities to claim for items such as duvets, extra food supplies, clothes, kitchen appliances and mental health services. We know providing housing is only part of supporting homelessness, what individuals also need is appropriate support systems and services that can provide a home and stability to re-build lives. Many of our charities and organisations help clients to go on to live independent and fulfilled lives.
Who manages the Real Change Fund?
The funds for the Real Change Fund are administered and distributed by partner charity Community Voluntary Service Bedfordshire (CVS Bedfordshire), charity number 1091423. Bedford Homeless Partnership as an organisation is supported by and funded by The Harpur Trust.
How you can help us
Donate money
Donate to The Real Change Fund by contributing ANY AMOUNT via our JustGiving page or by giving £3 via our Contactless Donation machine situated in the window of IMPAKT Interiors, 14-15 The Arcade, Bedford MK40.
Please remember if you're donating individually, you can tick the gift aid box which means we receive an extra 25p from the HMRC for every £1 you donate.
If you are donating as a group, you are now able to set up your own fundraising page. To do this select the 'Start fundraising' button on our JustGiving page.
Donation transactions:
Unfortunately the transactions that come through the donation machine are not presented on our JustGiving page so we have provided a tally of the figures at the end of the month on our donation page. If you have any queries please contact us using our contact us form.
Donation updates for 2021/2022
November 2021
Tap to donate machine: £36 from 12 donations
Just Giving page total: £5499.50
December 2021
Tap to donate machine: £28 from 9 donations
Just Giving page total: £5,707
January 2022
Tap to donate machine: Awaiting
Just Giving page total: Awaiting
Raise awareness
Of course, telling your family, friends, and colleagues all about the work of the Bedford Homeless Partnership would be a great start and we have really benefitted from word of mouth in our local community, but we also share a lot of information online about what we are up to.
As well as this website we have three social media channels (links below) where we share information about what our charities and organisations have been up to, about our successes, the services on offer, campaign for better policies for people at risk and more. We would be grateful if you can share, retweet, and engage with our channels.
Work and Volunteer
Lastly, but certainly not least, if you are interested in either paid or volunteering positions specifically centred around helping to support the homeless then there are always plenty of opportunities. The best place to look for roles within the homeless sector and local to Bedford would be via Community Voluntary Service Bedford.
All the local charities are asked to put their vacancies on here. If you use the Simply Connect Search it will open up in a new window where you can browse and filter jobs close to your postcode. There are also contact details on their website should you wish to talk to a member of their team.
If you are struggling to find something for you please send us a message via our contact form and we will see if we can help.
Remember, Your small change could make a real change.
Help end homelessness in Bedford.
#RealChangeBedford
