How can you help the homeless & vulnerable people in Harrogate District & make sure that your donated money is used as effectively as possible? Support the Harrogate Street Aid project, by tapping your contactless card and donating £3 at one of the street donation points.
A new approach to tackle street sleepers and begging in Harrogate launched back in October 2019 and has been a huge success. The Harrogate Street Aid project is a joint initiative involving the Council, North Yorkshire Horizons, Essential Needs, North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Homeless Project. The project aims to encourage people to donate directly to a central fund rather than give their money to the street beggars themselves. Donations are be used to make real change for individuals who are, or have been, street sleepers.
Unfortunately well-meaning donations given directly to street beggars, may not always be the kindest thing to do. By donating directly to the organisations which support the most vulnerable people in our society, you can be sure that the money is being put to the best possible use.
No one likes to see people living on our streets – giving money to people begging might help them today, but what about tomorrow, next week? Giving your small change to Street Aid can make real change to them via grants of up to £500.
The project allows people to donate a suggested £3 quickly and easily with a quick tap of their credit or debit card against the clearly marked Harrogate Street Aid contactless terminal. Alternatively you can visit the QR code to make a donation of your choice.
Since launch in October 2019, over £20k has been raised by Harrogate Street Aid and 28 grants been awarded supporting 29 people with items ranging from carpets, training courses, replacement certificates/documents, tablets and sim cards enabling contact with DWP during lockdown, furniture for new tenancies, gym membership and clothing vouchers, tools for bricklaying, and fishing tackle with licences supporting mental health.
Harrogate Street Aid are trying to encourage residents and visitors that if they see someone street sleeping or begging to call Harrogate Borough Council on 01423 500600 and report so outreach workers can go and engage with them, in this way we can fully support those on our streets.
People are also able to donate via www.harrogatestreetaid.co.uk – an online page.
