With a hint of sunshine and April showers, we seem to finally be coming out of the colder months and the threat of snow. But during the winter season, it was especially important for us to think of those who do not have the protection of shelter.
SPEAR is one of the charities that works around our borough of Merton and surrounding areas, offering services to those that are at risk or already homeless.
SPEAR’s support includes rough sleeper outreach, tenancy support, employment and education. SPEAR offers a range of those services across Richmond, Merton, Sutton, Wandsworth and Kingston, supporting people from homelessness to independence.
They have recently launched a new service called Fresh Start, a homelessness prevention initiative that works with single households in Merton helping prevent people from the trauma of life on the street.
Heidi Shrimpton, Head of Fundraising at SPEAR said, “Due to the new services SPEAR now provides for rough sleepers and those experiencing homelessness in Merton, we are delighted to be raising awareness of our work through some local Merton community activities. So people know who we are, how to report a rough sleeper and how they can get more involved. We are actively looking for new volunteers in the borough to help us spread the word about our work.”
How can you help?
This Saturday, SPEAR will be at Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping Centre with a sax quartet busking to raise money. Visit them at the lower mall between 10am-1pm.
To report a rough sleeper, please call: 020 8404 1481 or email: outreach@spearlondon.org (please note this is not an emergency/out of hours service). Please give as much information as possible about the rough sleeper – location, date and time seen, physical description of person and possessions.
If you would like to get more involved with SPEAR’s work, from being a volunteer helping at events to sharing your professional skills ro getting your school, company or group involved, please email: supporters@spearlondon.org
