Help the homeless with the tap of a card this Christmas
Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, is urging local people to use new contactless donation points rolled out by City Hall to help rough sleepers this winter. So far, two have been installed at venues across Islington. Ms Arnold is also calling upon those unable to access a contactless point to instead donate to the campaign online to ensure those sleeping rough on London’s streets can be reached this Christmas.
The contactless points, created by not-for-profit company, TAP London, allow local people to easily make a £3 donation by card, which will be shared equally across the 22 members of the London Homeless Charities Group. Since late November, 53 TAP London donation points have been launched across the capital, with the roll out of at least 37 more on the horizon over the winter.
Last week, it was revealed that Londoners have donated £78,000 in the first two weeks of the fundraising campaign.
The installation of the donation points has come alongside the Mayor doubling the size of City Hall’s street outreach team and putting measures in place to ensure severe weather shelters will open across London whenever freezing temperatures are anticipated.
The latest available data from the Greater London Authority (GLA) shows that between July 2018 and September 2018, the number of rough sleepers recorded in Islington was 73.
In December 2017, the Mayor of London launched his ‘No Second Night Out’ campaign which encourages Londoners to refer rough sleepers to homeless charities and local authorities through the ‘StreetLink’ app and website. Londoners have made almost 1,500 referrals to StreetLink in the last fortnight alone.
Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, said:
"It is shameful that so many people in our community will be homeless this winter. Christmas is a costly time for everyone, so we’re asking people to give whatever they can, however small, to help those in our community sleeping rough on our streets.
"Last year, we saw an incredible amount of generosity from Londoners who pledged thousands to the Mayor’s rough sleeping campaign. In the same spirit, I would urge local people to use these contactless points or make a donation to support the vital work of the London Homeless Group online.
"I also strongly recommend using the StreetLink app to refer anyone seen sleeping rough in our community to organisations and council teams so that they can provide a helping hand."
ENDS
Notes to editors
- City Hall has rolled out contactless donation points at We Work offices- Finsbury Pavement and Crick's Corner Café- Highgate in Islington to help rough sleepers this winter
- The contactless points, created by not-for-profit company, TAP London, will allow local people to easily make a £3 donation by card, which will be shared equally across the 22 members of the London Homeless Charities Group
- Since late November, 53 TAP London donation points have been launched across the capital, with the rollout of at least 37 more on the horizon over the winter
- Last week, it was revealed that Londoners have donated £78,000 in the first two weeks of the fundraising campaign
- The installation of the donation points comes alongside the Mayor doubling the size of City Hall’s street outreach team and putting measures in place to ensure that severe weather shelters will open across London whenever freezing temperatures are anticipated
- The latest available data from the Greater London Authority (GLA) shows that between July 2018 and September 2018, the number of rough sleepers recorded in Islington was 73
- In December 2017, the Mayor of London launched his ‘No Second Night Out’ campaign which encourages Londoners to refer rough sleepers to homeless charities and local authorities through the ‘StreetLink’ app and website
- In the last fortnight, Londoners have made 1,474 referrals to StreetLink
- A mostly updated map of contactless donation points locations can be found on the TAP London website
- Donations can be made online through the TAP London website
- Jennette Arnold OBE AM is the London Assembly Member for North East (Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest)
- For more information please contact Research Support Officer, Eve Lovett, on 020 7983 5591. Number not for publication