People / homelessness
‘I just want people to feel like people again’
Life on the streets can be a tough and dehumanising experience – but one Bristol woman is seeking to challenge the bias surrounding homelessness, one cup of tea at a time.
Sarah Jade plans to open a ‘Humanitea Cafe,’ which she hopes will act as a hub for the wider community, as well as a central point with facilities, food and clothes for the city’s rough sleepers.
The concept is simple – anyone who buys a hot drink is handed a token to give to someone they think needs it, be they homeless, at risk of being homeless, or in need of help and support.
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The mum-of-two, has worked with the homeless community in a voluntary capacity, but felt more needs to be done. She recognised the need for a central point in the city where food and clothes are available in a cosy, welcoming environment.
To raise money for the cafe, she has set up a crowdfunding page and has raised more than £1300 so far.
“I got a bit fed up with scrabbling around, asking other people for help and had to spend lot of time collecting it and bringing it out and having even space or time to do it properly,” said Sarah Jade, adding that her inspiration behind the cafe is to eradicate the bias around homelessness.
“I don’t want any pity attached to homelessness anymore. I just want people to feel like people again and that’s why I am doing it.”
Homelessness is on the rise in Bristol
Almost becoming homeless herself and having to use the food bank had made her realise how easily and quickly it could happen. She says the main objective of her project is to “bring the people that want to help to people that need help and make everybody feel a part of the community.”
Sarah Jade plans to use the space as a food and clothes bank, with free-to-use shower and laundry facilities.
She also wants to host social and well being groups such as choir, crafts, film nights, games nights, cookery school and skill shares.
The entrepreneur doesn’t think that her project is the solution to the problem, but feels that it can be an eye opener.
“I am not going to be able to get people off the street, but what I would be able to do is offer them compassion, dignity, support and a place to talk which I think a lot of people don’t have when they are living on the streets.”
Read more: Bristol’s young ‘hidden homeless’ crisis
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