Bridge shortlisted for national award
Rough Sleeper Programme entered
LOUGHBOROUGH based homeless charity The Bridge (East Midlands) has been shortlisted for the national Charity of the Year awards.
The Bridge is competing against two national charities; Volunteering Matters and Changing Lives in the ‘Social care, advice and support’ category.
The charity has entered its Rough Sleeper Programme which it launched with Charnwood Borough Council following a successful £400,000 funding bid.
The government funding was in response to the significant increase in rough sleeping across the country.
The programme involves councils and other partner agencies across the city and county who work with rough sleepers, or those at imminent risk of rough sleeping.
The work included intensive oneto-one support to enable rough sleepers to move into more permanent accommodation.
The programme has also increased support to people who are leaving hospital or prison and are likely to end up rough sleeping.
In its first full year, the Rough Sleeper Programme accommodated 253 homeless people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland; it helped 132 people transitioning from sleeping on the streets, and 121 people who were at imminent risk, and preventing them from becoming homeless and sleeping rough.
Peter Davey, chief officer of The Bridge, said: “I am extremely proud of the commitment and compassion my highly skilled staff team display in achieving such great things with rough sleepers.
“Our organisation has a strong track record of innovation and collaboration, and again we have shown great leadership with our colleagues at Charnwood Borough Council to secure a significant amount of funding to enable us to deliver this work.”
Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough, added: “The Bridge (East Midlands) carry out valuable work with some of the most vulnerable people in our community, often at times of crisis, on a daily basis.
“I am absolutely delighted that the charity has been shortlisted in their category at this year’s Charity of the Year awards. It really does highlight the value of the work they carry out throughout the city and county; and provides suitable recognition for their outstanding and dedicated staff and supporters.”
Allison Simmons, head of strategic and private sector housing at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “The programme has made a real difference to people’s lives and prevented many from being forced to sleep on the streets and The Bridge has played a crucial role in its success, working alongside a number of supportive partners. We wish them all the best in the final.”
The winner will be announced on June 7, at a special awards ceremony in London, which will be hosted by the Radio 4 broadcaster, TV presenter and Church of England priest, Rev Richard Coles.