BID leads evening initiative to help the District’s homeless

Colmore BID is leading on a new project to deliver out of hours support to homeless and other vulnerable people within the District.

Staff from the BID together with representatives from charities, faith groups and other agencies, including The Big Issue, Birmingham Changing Futures Together and Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, took part in the first homelessness action evening on Wednesday, June 19.

In total, fifteen people joined the volunteer walkabout around the District from 7pm to 9pm – a time when many office workers will have gone home and businesses closed but when those sleeping rough can feel most isolated and disconnected from the support services that exist to help them.
The idea of the walkabout is not only to provide reassurance to those feeling particularly insecure as night time approaches but to take direct action where possible there and then to improve their situation.

On Wednesday’s first walkabout, the volunteers engaged with 28 homeless and other vulnerable people across District, with interactions ranging from friendly conversations around their wellbeing to referrals being made to employment and accommodation agencies.

Colmore BID is looking to hold the volunteer walkabouts on a monthly basis with a view to extending them into the night and early hours. Weekend shifts are also being considered.