Features / Breakfast with Bristol24/7
Breakfast with Bristol24/7: Jasper Thompson
Methodically dropping several sugar lumps into his double-shot cappuccino, Jasper Thompson dispassionately reels off details of a life that, to most people, would seem pretty extraordinary.
Born in Jamaica, he came to the UK at the age of eight, spent most of his teenage years in care in Withywood because he wasn’t getting on at home and got into a few scrapes, before joining the army at 21.
“I loved it, it made a man of me,” says Jasper, reflecting on his 12-year military career as he tucks into eggs royale in The Lounge on North Street on a recent Tuesday morning.
is needed now More than ever
The café-bar is only about half full, but several customers wave to the popular long-term local as they enter, a couple stopping by the table mid-breakfast to say hi.
After leaving the army, Jasper decided to test his entrepreneurial skills, opening first a clothes shop on Park Street, then a Caribbean restaurant on North Street. He also took a year out in Jamaica to care for his dying mother.
Was it strange returning to the country of his birth after so many years?
“No, I’m pretty adaptable,” comes the fair, understated reply.
Jasper believes homeless people need more of a voice
Taking off to travel the globe once more – this time as a close protection bodyguard – Jasper worked for dignitaries, footballers and celebrities, but didn’t forge any ties with his charges, saying it was just work.
Back in his home city, he opened the Jamaican Diner on North Street and was settling into life as a restaurateur, before a chance encounter changed the course of his life and ultimately inspired him to found Help Bristol’s Homeless.
Launched in 2017, the charity quickly made headlines around the world with its pioneering approach of transforming shipping containers into self-contained units for people sleeping on the streets.
The project has gone from strength to strength and the conversion of a double decker bus has now been completed, providing 12 emergency beds for those most in need.
“I was in Bedminster one day and saw this lad who was homeless and offered him a hot drink, then I went back and said to my wife, ‘I’m going to help the homeless’,” says Jasper, reflecting on the moment that prompted him to take action.
“I started getting donations into the restaurant, but it was too much so I had to shout out for somewhere to store the stuff.
“At no stage was it meant to get as big as it has now – and growing. It was just a little idea I had about helping the homeless. I had lived in shipping containers in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Volunteers rallied to help get the bus project up and running
Jasper enlisted the help of volunteers and local businesses, who pitched in to help the idea become a reality – and the first converted home attracted a storm of media attention that has continued.
“I had emails from all over the world,” says Jasper, revealing that crews from as far afield as Canada have visited the charity’s Malago Road site to document the work being done by Help Bristol’s Homeless.
The charity has also featured on BBC’s The One Show and Channel 4’s Grand Designs Live, as well as in the national press.
“Publicity is really good because it keeps the problem of homelessness on the agenda,” he adds.
Help Bristol’s Homeless has been given a new council-owned patch on Spring Street for the next five years, and Jasper hopes that by the end of that time, the charity will have a permanent place to house people in need.
Downing the last of his strong, sweet coffee, Jasper opens up about his belief that attitudes to Bristol’s growing homelessness crisis require a huge rethink.
“Demand is definitely going up, but the reasons for homelessness are so vast. Austerity is going to take years to reverse,” he says.
“I think homeless people have the solution to homelessness because they live it daily. If we engage homeless people, they have got a voice. And they need a voice.”
The Lounge, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1JJ
www.thelounges.co.uk/lounge/
Eggs royale £8.95
Cappucino £2.60
Veggie breakfast £7.50
Americano £2.30
The charity is crowdfunding to raise £100,000 for the development of the Spring Street site. For more information and to donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpbristolshomeless?utm_id=1&utm_term=AV7qw98BQ
Illustration by Anna Higgie.
Read more: People of Bristol rally to turn double decker bus into homeless shelter
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