Our new Community Partner, Simon on the Streets
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Simon on the Streets was voted by Torque staff as our new Community Partner for 2019/20.
Simon on the Streets is an outreach-based charity that supports rough sleepers in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and other areas of West Yorkshire. The charity concentrates on people who are entrenched rough sleepers who refuse to work with other services. Its service users are mostly men and women with no support network, they often suffer from both undiagnosed mental and physical health issues as well as drug and alcohol dependency and other health concerns. The charity does not receive any public funding from government institutions, so, help they receive from businesses like Torque goes a long way.
Excitingly it’s Simon on the Streets 20th birthday this year, and they’re celebrating with a number of events which Torque will be taking part in, we’ll be sharing details of these throughout the year.
If you would like to know more about the fantastic work Simon on the Streets do and the type of people they help, we’ll be sharing information over the next few months, but alternatively you can visit their website at simonthestreets.co.uk.
In the meantime, across is a case study which demonstrates some of the amazing work Simon on the Streets does for its service users. We’ve already started fundraising, and our sites have done an incredible job already, with over £1000 in the pot!
Get Involved
The Rough Diamond Ball
13th June 2019
The Rough Diamond Ball is back for 2019! This year is a special year as they celebrate 20 years of Simon on the Streets. Torque will be sponsoring the ball and entertaining guests for an amazing evening of food, drink, entertainment and dancing.
To find out more or to buy tickets please go to: http://simononthestreets.co.uk/get-involved/events/rough-diamond-ball-2019/
Case Study: Meet Andy* – on the streets
“I first met Andy a few months ago on one of my outreach sessions around the outskirts of the city centre. As an Eastern European migrant with no recourse to public funds, Andy was not eligible to access emergency accommodation and was also not entitled to housing benefit. On our first meeting, I provided Andy with hot drinks and food but he did not appear to want to engage. Over the coming weeks, I made regular visits to his tent and with time and perseverance, we began to build up a trusting relationship. Andy now engages with me frequently.
Understandably, Andy tells me he feels isolated from the rest of society and often feels lonely. After numerous conversations in which we discussed his thoughts and aspirations, Andy decided to start accessing free English classes. The language barrier can be a huge factor in feelings of isolation. Although Andy was not receiving benefits due to missed appointments, together we filled out a JSA claim which allowed him to access benefits. Being in receipt of benefits enabled him to purchase stays at bed and breakfasts, clean clothes, sleeping bags and other basic necessities.
Andy has now managed to enrol with an employment agency and has been working as a potato picker. Andy remains street homeless as he does not earn enough money to pay for the numerous costs of renting permanent accommodation. He remains in a vulnerable position and has started to smoke Spice as a way to escape the realities of his daily life. I continue to help and support Andy through his journey.”
Simon on the Streets, Outreach Worker
*Please note all names have been changed to protect people’s identities.