Better Business / Members News
TAP for Bristol distributes £20,000 to homelessness support charities since May
Bristol City Centre and Redcliffe & Temple Business Improvement Districts (BID) have recently distributed £20,000 from their TAP for Bristol initiative to three local charities. The funding aims to address homelessness in Bristol by supporting individuals in need.
Founded in 2019 by Bristol City Centre BID in partnership with Caring in Bristol, TAP for Bristol has expanded to include support from Redcliffe & Temple BID. This initiative raises funds through 25 TAP donation points located in business premises across the City Centre and Redcliffe & Temple BID areas, as well as online via a JustGiving page.
The latest round of donations benefits three charities: Emmaus Bristol, Survivors Leading Essential Education & Change (SLEEC), and Caring in Bristol.
- Emmaus Bristol
Emmaus Bristol received £5,000 to support individuals transitioning to independent living. This financial assistance helps cover initial expenses such as deposits, rent, and bills, providing the stability needed to move away from homelessness. Francesca Blishen, support manager at Emmaus Bristol, emphasised the importance of this support: “This funding from TAP for Bristol enables us to provide essential financial support to our residents as they transition into their own homes, empowering them to rebuild their lives and achieve lasting stability.”
- Survivors Leading Essential Education & Change (SLEEC)
SLEEC, a survivor-led organisation that seeks to change systems and support survivors, also received £5,000. The aim of the grant is to offer financial, practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and survivors of sexual violence in Bristol who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Bryony Ball, project manager at SLEEC, said: “Supporting people during a critical period of their life by offering emergency care requires a deep level of understanding whilst being able to meet varied needs and experiences on an individual basis.”
- Caring in Bristol
Caring in Bristol, the initiative’s charity partner, received £10,000 for their Z-House project, an emergency youth shelter for individuals aged 18-25. An additional £1,000 was allocated to print handbooks for those in need. Jenny Perez, head of trusts and foundations at Caring in Bristol, stated: “The TAP initiative is enabling people and businesses in Bristol to support our projects that help prevent homelessness, as well as supporting young people to move away from a crisis.”
Since its inception, TAP for Bristol has donated over £120,000 to various charities in the city. Vicky Lee, head of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “Our three chosen charities do incredible work in assisting those in need and we are so grateful for the opportunity to give back to them through the initiative, ensuring the longevity of the life-changing work that they do.”
If you would like to nominate TAP for Bristol for workplace donations, please contact Paula@bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk
Main photo: Plaster
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