Bridlington and East Riding rough sleepers to receive free clothing
The new Helping Hands scheme has been launched by charity Emmaus.
A homelessness charity has launched a new scheme that will give people sleeping rough in Bridlington and the East Riding access to clean clothing, sturdy footwear and toiletries.
The new Helping Hands scheme has been launched by Emmaus Hull and East Riding and was inspired by the 'take one leave one' coat rails that have been replicated in train stations up and down the UK.
As part of the Helping Hands scheme, outreach workers will be giving out 'timely tokens' to people they meet who are sleeping rough, which they can redeem at Emmaus charity shops. On redemption, people will be given any clothing items they need, as well as new underwear, socks and sanitary products for women.
The Emmaus Hull and East Riding outreach team is made up of 5 employees, 12 volunteers and 5 formerly homeless companions, who cover a larger area across Hull and the East Riding. The service runs 365 days a year and is funded by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Casey Fawcett, outreach worker at Emmaus Hull and East Riding said:
"I believe The Helping Hands scheme will be beneficial to the work we do in Hull and the East Riding. There are so many people within our area that do not have appropriate clothing for the changing weather and temperatures.
"Our orange back packs are normally filled to the brim with different items of clothing at the start of the day and we quickly run out, however now we can carry the 'timely tokens' and direct them to our stores to pick up what they need for free.
"This scheme will definitely impact areas in a positive way and we should see from this that every person has clothing with no rips in them, shoes which are the right size and rubber soles intact, new underwear and clean socks and also all the toiletries they may need."
Paul Towle, Retail Cluster Manager at Emmaus Hull and East Riding said:
"The Helping Hands scheme does exactly what it says on the tin, giving a helping hand to those in real need. This is another way that we at Emmaus are helping our local communities to grow and prosper."
As well as running the outreach service, Emmaus Hull and East Riding say they support 30 formerly homeless people by providing them with a stable home at their community building, The Orchard. These individuals, known as companions, are given individual support and meaningful work for as long as they need it.
To support this scheme, Emmaus Hull and East Riding are appealing for donations of new underwear, socks and toiletries. Items can be dropped off at any of the Emmaus charity shops. Or you can call 01482 223722 or 07940357938 from 10am to 4pm.
The charity say they also operate in Bridlington all the time and work regularly with Emmanuel Church in the town, Kingfisher Cafe and Jacob's Well.
Report someone sleeping rough via the Emmaus Hull & East Riding app or call 0800 066 2169.
To find out more about Emmaus Hull & East Riding visit https://emmaushull.org/.