Why?
Why is there a need to help the homeless and vulnerable?
There is approx. 280,000 homeless people in the UK at present. And these cannot even be accurate figures. We are subjected to a cost of living crisis, councils not meeting targets, lack of housing, broken communities, high levels of mental health and drug related problems and more and more individual isolation. There are still a great number of people sleeping rough. Although it is true to say no one can completely eradicate homelessness it is also true to say we can all make a huge difference if we work together. And this is what we are here to do.
Our first concern is to make sure anyone sleeping rough has provisions to get them through the night. From there, we will work with other organisations to find secure housing. But that is only where our work truly begins. We will take each willing person on a lifelong journey of learning, support, education, employment, healing and success to whatever level they feel they would like to achieve. We also believe that kindness is the only way to go and that kindness breeds more kindness. It works.
Where?
How do we reach the homeless and other vulnerable people?
We will use outreach vans called, Wings of Warmth, which will deliver supplies to people sleeping rough in our communities. It is the job of Wings of Warmth to locate the rough sleepers and return to the same place at the same time each week and then, hopefully, each day. At the same time, we will take details of people sleeping rough and hand out contact cards.
We will liaise with councils and organisations to offer our services to people who are no longer sleeping rough but still need assistance and supplies.
We will build a network with the community to find vulnerable older people and anyone else who is vulnerable or at risk and we will deliver to their homes or let them know where to find us.
How?
How we will be of assistance to homeless and vulnerable people?
- Wings of Warmth will locate and give immediate supplies to people sleeping rough, the homeless , people who can't get out and about and the vulnerable.
- Supplies range from sleeping bags kits to toothpaste, non perishable food, hot drinks, clothes and other essentials. We will also include magazines and games. Our homeless will educate us with what is required and we will supply as much as we can.
- Contact cards and information will be handed out to as many people as possible so that we can make contact with the relevant organisations and councils to help find accommodation and so that we are able to stay in contact with each individual as necessary.
- We will enrol as many rough sleepers, homeless and vulnerable into our programs as is possible, so that we can stay in contact once housing has been found or to offer ongoing support. The other programs will offer ongoing and unlimited support that would include everything from employment to mental health and learning with a great emphasis on all things in the arts. We believe all forms of art to be healing and hugely beneficial to a satisfying and enjoyable life.
- A percentage of the people we have helped will find employment within our organisation. This is a very important part of building our community and learning from each other.
- We will support every individual by taking the time to find out who they are and what they would like from life. From there, we will help them achieve their goals, and be here to pick them up when they fall down. We will have a similar model to the hugely successful and world renowned AA. We are here for life.
Who?
Who is Black Wing suitable for?
Black Wing is for the homeless, vulnerable and elderly. This could be from a rough sleeper to a person couch surfing. A refugee to a blind person. A struggling family or single person. It is for people who are financially restricted.