Festival’s cash injection saves jobs at homelessness charity
A NOTTINGHAM charity says rough sleeping levels in the city continue to rise “relentlessly” as it welcomes new funding that will prevent some of its staff losing their jobs.
City council cuts had put jobs in Framework’s street outreach team at risk, despite the charity having recorded a 19 per cent increase in rough sleepers in the year to December 2023.
A donation of £81,600 to the charity by the annual Beat The Streets festival has all-but secured three outreach team jobs.
Launched in 2018, Beat the Streets is a one-day festival in aid of Framework. It is run by DHP Family, the company responsible for running events including Splendour and managing venues such as Rock City.
Framework’s chief executive, Andrew Redfern, said: “Each year the money raised at Beat the Streets plays a vital part in maintaining support for rough sleepers in Nottingham and we continue to be very grateful for this outstandingly generous assistance.
“In 2023 the funds raised enabled the construction of purpose-built accommodation for rough sleepers and we look forward to celebrating the opening of these new flats in a few weeks.
“The level of rough sleeping continues to rise relentlessly. Funds raised at the 2024 festival in January will help us maintain the outreach team who work with people on the streets of Nottingham every day of the year. Three posts are at risk due to cuts in city council funding and Beat the Streets funding will cover a large part of the cost.”
Beat The Streets has raised £490,600 since its 2018 launch, with all venues packed out for this year’s event on January 28.
More than 50 homegrown artists took part at venues including Bodega and the Rescue Rooms.
George Akins, MD of the DHP Family, said: “Thanks to everyone who attended, performed at, and worked on our 2024 event, we’ve been able to make another significant contribution to the hard work that Framework do, at a particularly vital time.”
Previous uses for Beat The Streets proceeds have included keeping the Sneinton Hermitage shelter open all year round, and saving a project to build eight flats in Hyson Green after inflation pushed it to the “edge of viability.”