Helping the Homeless in St Albans

This year has certainly been one that we will never forget, with all of us having to adjust to a new Covid norm.  It has been an incredibly tough year on us all, but the impact on vulnerable communities such as the homeless, has been even greater.

There has been an increase in homelessness throughout the pandemic. With high levels of unemployment and transient accommodation no longer available, more people have been forced out of their homes and onto the streets. Helping the homeless has become more important now than ever.

Back in October, Kate White, a Resourcer at Ten2Two, volunteered her time to Action for Homeless, a small charity based in St Albans.

The charity was founded by a group of friends, who came together to help vulnerable people within the community to help find the amenities that provide support with addiction and shelter. They offer food and clean clothes over the weekend, a time when many other charities are closed. They also raise funds to provide overnight stays when severe weather or illness strikes.

As a volunteer, Kate was assigned a weekend to cook and put together 15 food packages, consisting of a main and dessert, to be delivered to the known homeless neighbours within her community.

So this Saturday, after completing a food hygiene certificate and finally deciding on a festive menu, Kate and her family donned their aprons and put together a delicious and warming meal.

Kate said “It has been a hugely rewarding and grounding experience, especially for my ten year old son, to understand the importance of helping the homeless and those more vulnerable than ourselves, especially in these challenging times.”

If you could spare a weekend to cook and would like to get involved, you can find out more information at https://www.actionforhomeless.co.uk/

In the meantime, let’s be socially kind – acknowledge the homeless, check in with them, have a chat and offer to buy hot food or a drink, because we are all human after all.