Well here we are once again, another calendar year almost over and HELP 4 HOMELESS VETERANS Charity no 1148155 has again increased our activities in every way.
Since January 2022 we have provided assistance to 106 veterans throughout England and Wales facing homelessness including a street homeless lady veteran in Barnsley as well as a company strength body of sofa surfers and car sleepers. Whether its because our response times are better known in the veterans community or there are more homeless veterans the number we have assisted has year on year now for the past 4 years increased which is worrying.
Thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Veterans Foundation, this winter we have so far delivered £4000 of Utility Bill Support to 40 veterans
The highlight of 2022 though has to be finally achieving our aim of opening a Drop In Centre in Barnsley Town Centre in April. This is now developing into a useful advice and support hub for local veterans culminating in the recent Christmas Party. We have been visited by 3 local MPs the High Sheriff and a number of local Councillors as well as other support groups who we have agreed to let them use our location to meet their clients.
Other achievements include running trips out using our Minibus. Indeed they are so successful we have arranged to upgrade to a larger bus with disabled access which will be available from Spring 2023. The Therapy Farm has been the main trip which has been enjoyed by around 50 veterans this year including our own Ambassador Amber and her son Brandon.
We also ditched our display trailer and replaced it with a purpose built exhibition Van which is ready to deploy to various fund raising events as opportunities arise.
We remain very grateful to every organisation and individuals who support our work. Without your help none of the veterans we have worked with would have benefitted from the range of support we continue to provide. Thankyou all and a Merry Christmas.
