Online donations to support vulnerable
More than £3,000 has been received in online donations to help people in need across the borough.
The donations have been made through Dudley Council's Change into Action initiative, which supports people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Change into Action is a safe online platform where people can donate as little as £2 and is an alternative to giving money to people begging on the streets.
Money donated by Dudley borough residents goes to Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (DCVS).
They will then work with the council and its delivery partner Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District (CHADD), a small charitable housing association based in Dudley, to distribute the donations to help those most vulnerable.
The money donated so far has helped a number of people settle into their new homes after securing tenancies by funding essential items such as kitchen appliances and beds.
Councillor Laura Taylor-Childs, cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:
While the number of rough sleepers in the borough remains low, we do have individuals in our town centres who appear homeless and are begging for money.
We know that a majority of these people are not homeless, and staff from our homelessness prevention team are regularly speaking to all of them to offer support, accommodation and advice.
While we know people mean well and we are grateful for people’s generosity, giving cash to people begging in our town centres does not help solve the issues they face.
To truly make a difference, and make sure the money is being put to good use, I’d urge people to donate to a charitable cause, such as Change into Action.
Change into Action is part of a regional initiative organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
To donate or find out more go to www.changeintoaction.org.uk/dudley
If anyone sees someone sleeping rough, they can call Dudley’s rough sleepers helpline on 0300 555 0030 or report via StreetLink at https://thestreetlink.org.uk