GREAT FEEDBACK FROM THE ROBES RUN SERVICE USERS 

Seven weeks have passed since the implementation of our weekly Wednesday Robes Run on the 20th of May. It started as a temporary solution, to maintain the support provided at Wednesday Club whilst reducing the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the combined effort of our volunteers and staff, regular service has been provided each week. Both Robes Run deliveries and the Check in and Chat services have been greatly appreciated by our guests and ex-guests. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, quality service has been provided with compassion and creativity.

 FROM THE ADVICE TEAM – WORKING AGAINST COVID-19 

That these are difficult and challenging times is not news. The whole world has been facing a new reality for the last 3 months. We all have been forced to adjust and to become imaginative and more resilient. 

But against all odds, it has been during these times that the biggest efforts and actions to reduce the number of people facing homelessness have been taken. 

Aside from the massive response from the government, new forms of partnership and teamwork have developed, with new and creative ideas shared to overcome the challenges presented by the virus. It also has been inspirational to see the gestures of solidarity and support to key workers, during a time where it seemed that we were only supposed to be looking after ourselves and isolating from everything else. 

Unfortunately, we cannot claim the end of homelessness yet. Volunteers and partner organisations continue to put pressure on the government to maintain the support currently provided: to preserve low figures of rough sleepers and move people into permanent accommodation. 

There is still a long way to go. Plenty of people are still on the streets waiting to be placed into some sort of accommodation, some missing the call or arriving late enough for there to be a shortage of placements and long waiting lists. People continue to face a lack of support, as many of the organisations that supported them in the past cannot be open to the public. 

Millions have lost there jobs and are claiming Universal Credit, millions more are at the risk of becoming homeless but we will be doing our part to help as many homeless and vulnerable adults as we can through our services.

I invite the local governments to keep investing and to invite and support local charities to keep running (providing them with protective equipment if required), as the intention is not to spread the virus, but to alleviate the impact and consequences of the virus on the most vulnerable. 

Thank you again to the NHS and to all the people that are giving their time to support Robes and any other organisation during these difficult months. Now more than ever, every action counts. 

Please be safe, 

Best Regards, 

Marc Mora