We’re making Christmas giving extra simple this year and asking people to donate to our Christmas Appeal. All money raised will be split between us here at Emmaus Suffolk and Help Our Homeless Ipswich. Emmaus Suffolk supports people experiencing isolation, loneliness and long term unemployed, many of whom are at risk of homelessness, while Help Our Homeless Ipswich gives practical, front-line support and assistance to those sleeping rough.
If you have visited our shop in Sailmakers, Ipswich, then you will have seen that we have installed a Tap to Donate button in the window. Anyone wishing to support those experiencing homelessness here in Suffolk can do so by simply touching their card on the button and £2 will be automatically donated to the joint Christmas appeal.
If you are not able to visit our store in Ipswich but would like to donate to our appeal you can do so online by clicking here
The aim of our appeal is to give people a quick and easy way to donate, that can also be done in a COVID-safe way. It’s also hoped that people will donate via this button rather than give directly to those rough sleeping.
While many people already give cash to those sleeping rough, organisations working on the front line of tackling homelessness believe there are more effective ways to show support.
Claire Staddon, Chief Executive of Emmaus Suffolk, says:
“Homelessness is an awful experience at the best of times but over winter it is even worse. We know that often people want to help homeless people directly but it is important to recognise that giving cash directly to those on the street can sometimes keep people trapped in a cycle of homelessness and rough sleeping. This is especially true for those also battling drug and alcohol issues.
“By donating to our appeal or to one of the front-line homelessness charities you can help us to focus on the root causes of homelessness here in Suffolk and assist us in offering practical support where it is needed.”
This practical support offered by Emmaus Suffolk and Help Our Homeless Ipswich comes in various forms, from running workshops, training sessions and drop-in groups designed to help those at risk of homelessness through to providing access to services and emergency accommodation. The money used will also help fund access to technology such as basic mobile phones so that those on the streets can reunite with their support network and can also access Government support such as Universal Credit.
Justin Berry who first created Help Our Homeless says:
“We know the people of Suffolk are incredibly generous and many already donate to those on the streets. By diverting that act of giving via our Christmas appeal we can ensure that those experiencing homelessness receive the right support at the right time, whether it’s a basic mobile phone so they can apply for benefits or emergency accommodation so they can begin to rebuild their lives.”