Choose your favourite carol and help prevent people sleeping rough
A DERBYSHIRE housing charity is expecting to see more rough sleepers as an increasing number of people are in danger of losing their jobs and homes.
For the first time, the Derby Telegraph has teamed up with the charity Framework to raise money as part of its winter appeal, Homeless to Home.
And as part of the seasonal fundraising, Framework is asking people to name their favourite carol in return for a donation.
The charity, which operates across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, is contracted to provide emergency shelter for individuals and families.
Framework is commissioned to work with young people who are homeless or in housing need in Erewash, Amber Valley, parts of Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire.
Everyone has a favourite carol or two, so Framework and the choir of Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire have teamed up to find out which they are, and raise money for two good causes.
Until Thursday, December 10, people have the chance to vote for their three favourite carols in return for a donation.
The public can take part in the online poll by going to www.frameworkha.org/christmascarols
Funds raised will be split equally between Framework in helping homeless and vulnerable people across the East Midlands, and Southwell Minster to maintain its centuries-old musical tradition.
The three most popular carols will then be performed by the Southwell Cathedral choir in a special online carol service to be aired on Wednesday, December 23, at 7.15pm on the Minster’s YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/SouthwellMinster.
Claire Eden, Framework’s head of fundraising and communications, said: “The quest to find the nation’s favourite carols is a light-hearted idea with a serious purpose – funds raised will support our winter fundraising appeal Homeless to Home. “The appeal aims to change and save lives by preventing homelessness, supporting rough sleepers and resettling people into stable accommodation.
“As Britain enters the deepest recession since records began, the future for hundreds of thousands of people is uncertain, with many losing their jobs and potentially their homes. “Rough sleeping – the most visible and devastating form of homelessness – is on the rise.
“This winter more people will endure the danger and indignity of sleeping on the streets, many for the first time.”
The coronavirus pandemic has hit Framework’s income and increased expenditure. The charity urgently needs public support to continue responding effectively to increasing challenges presented by the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.
Similarly Southwell Minster has suffered significant loss to its income during the pandemic through closure, the cancellation of numerous services and events, the loss of donations from visitors and congregations.
The Dean of Southwell, the Very Rev Nicola Sullivan, said: “As the Wise Men searched for the Messiah at the first Christmas, so we invite the public to join our quest to find the nation’s favourite Christmas carols.
“In normal times, as part of our busy Advent season of services and concerts, the Minster would now be preparing for a carol service to support the work of the charity Framework.
“Sadly that service, in common with so much else, will not be taking place this year however we are grateful to Framework for this entertaining idea to raise the spirits in this most challenging Christmas season – and to raise much needed funds for the charity and for the Minster too.”
At any one time, Framework in Derbyshire supports about 80 young people in accommodation services and living in the community through its Step Up Service.
From April 2019 through to March 2020, the Step-Up service supported 103 young people in accommodation and 124 in floating support services in the community.
The charity is hoping to end homelessness by tackling rough sleeping at an early stage, supporting rough sleepers through street outreach teams and resettling people into long-term secure accommodation. It also equips them with skills and extra help to maintain stable independent lives.
The future for hundreds of thousands of people is uncertain, with many losing their jobs and potentially their homes Claire Eden