Reconnect, a new way to create social links!
Donation protected
Dear Reconnectors,
An analysis by Shelter at the end of 2018 said that one in 200 people in UK are now without a permanent place to live, with more than 1,000 people becoming homeless each month.
As this number gets higher each year, we are concerned that the disconnect between the people in need and the rest of the community might increase as well.
This is why we were inspired to launch Reconnect, an initiative to create social links within our communities.
What is Reconnect?
Reconnect is a growing network of local businesses offering free or paid-for services.
How does it work?
1. Find a Reconnect location
You’ll find our full list of current partners, their services and opening hours on our website or distributed guides. It's easy to identify a Reconnect partner – you'll see our distinctive green and white stickers on their doors, showing which service(s) they offer.
2. Go there and buy a Reconnect voucher for a homeless person
Wherever you see our distinctive green stickers, you can buy a voucher (e.g. for a meal) for the next homeless person to go in and use.
3. Now your voucher is ready to use!
When you've bought your voucher(s), you can either hand it to a homeless person in the street or leave it at the till where it can be claimed later by someone who needs it.
How much does it cost?
This initiative was launched in London in July 2019 by a team of volunteers from various backgrounds sharing their skills.
It is important to us that all money goes directly into services for homeless people. None of us are receiving any money. However, we need your help to cover the costs of the launch and growth of the project.
We estimate that it will cost £1,500 to reach our target of 150 partners for this first fiscal year (ending in March 2020). We’ve already raised £90 from a living room concert, our first fundraising event.
Our expected costs:
• Hosting and customised theme of the website : £ 77
• Printing materials (stickers, vouchers, guides, posters, promo cards) : £ 1,153
• Network growth with a yearly membership with a homeless organisation (Homeless Link): £50
• Purchase of 5 vouchers of £8 each at the first 7 partners to launch the initiative: £280
We are hoping to find a printer sponsor of Reconnect so that most of the costs will be covered in the long term. Should we find a sponsor before the end of the year or overestimate the actual costs, all the remaining money will be used to buy vouchers directly.
We are very grateful for your help.
Reconnect team advisor, artist and photographer Geraldine, describes from experience how basic needs can mean so much to the homeless: “Somewhere safe to store my belongings would have meant I wouldn't have lost my passport, driver's licence and items of sentimental value. Having access to a telephone to call my parents. Somewhere to wash my clothes and get a haircut would have been amazing.”
An analysis by Shelter at the end of 2018 said that one in 200 people in UK are now without a permanent place to live, with more than 1,000 people becoming homeless each month.
As this number gets higher each year, we are concerned that the disconnect between the people in need and the rest of the community might increase as well.
This is why we were inspired to launch Reconnect, an initiative to create social links within our communities.
What is Reconnect?
Reconnect is a growing network of local businesses offering free or paid-for services.
How does it work?
1. Find a Reconnect location
You’ll find our full list of current partners, their services and opening hours on our website or distributed guides. It's easy to identify a Reconnect partner – you'll see our distinctive green and white stickers on their doors, showing which service(s) they offer.
2. Go there and buy a Reconnect voucher for a homeless person
Wherever you see our distinctive green stickers, you can buy a voucher (e.g. for a meal) for the next homeless person to go in and use.
3. Now your voucher is ready to use!
When you've bought your voucher(s), you can either hand it to a homeless person in the street or leave it at the till where it can be claimed later by someone who needs it.
How much does it cost?
This initiative was launched in London in July 2019 by a team of volunteers from various backgrounds sharing their skills.
It is important to us that all money goes directly into services for homeless people. None of us are receiving any money. However, we need your help to cover the costs of the launch and growth of the project.
We estimate that it will cost £1,500 to reach our target of 150 partners for this first fiscal year (ending in March 2020). We’ve already raised £90 from a living room concert, our first fundraising event.
Our expected costs:
• Hosting and customised theme of the website : £ 77
• Printing materials (stickers, vouchers, guides, posters, promo cards) : £ 1,153
• Network growth with a yearly membership with a homeless organisation (Homeless Link): £50
• Purchase of 5 vouchers of £8 each at the first 7 partners to launch the initiative: £280
We are hoping to find a printer sponsor of Reconnect so that most of the costs will be covered in the long term. Should we find a sponsor before the end of the year or overestimate the actual costs, all the remaining money will be used to buy vouchers directly.
We are very grateful for your help.
Reconnect team advisor, artist and photographer Geraldine, describes from experience how basic needs can mean so much to the homeless: “Somewhere safe to store my belongings would have meant I wouldn't have lost my passport, driver's licence and items of sentimental value. Having access to a telephone to call my parents. Somewhere to wash my clothes and get a haircut would have been amazing.”
Organizer
AnneSo Berrayah
Organizer