CAPTION: A useful kit of essentials has been created for rough sleepers and homeless people in the community
Devon Church Offers a Practical Act of Kindness to those Facing Homelessness in their Community
The congregation at Ottery St Mary Church has rallied together to support homeless people and rough sleepers in Devon, by providing packs of useful essentials in the porch of the church.
Research from the charity Shelter, who support homeless people, show that at least 309,000 people in England are without a home. This includes almost 140,000 children.
The congregation at Ottery St Mary are hoping that the packs they have created will make a difference in their community by offering a small act of kindness to those facing homelessness.
The kit of essentials is available to access in the Ottery St Mary Church porch
The pack contains a hygiene products such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, flannels/small towel, deodorant, and sanitary products and moisturiser for females.
It also includes a blanket, and a copy of Mark’s gospel.
As part of the pack, information about the Ottery Larder is available. The Ottery Larder is working hard to tackle food waste and the cost of living in and around Ottery St Mary, by offering food and second-hand clothes to the community.
The pack also signposts information about StreetLink, which is a platform that connects people rough sleeping in England and Wales to support provided by local authorities and charities.
StreetLink provide support to anyone who is sleeping outside, preparing to bed down, or sleeping someone not designed for habitation, such as a car. To make these connections, the platform relies on alerts submitted by members of the public and people sleeping rough.
The packs have been available for a month, and already four have been taken.
Rev Lydia Cook, Rector for Ottery St Mary Church, said, “While we can’t solve the problem of homelessness giving even this small offering of kindness enables congregations to feel they are helping in a practical way.
“The response to the request for items has been wonderful.”
