VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT DURING LOCKDOWN
This winter season, we engaged with 16 winter night shelter teams to create monthly and weekly support packages for 35 Robes guests staying in emergency accommodation. We have provided 318 support packages so far. Thank you to everyone who has been helping with the creation of support packages within your shelter team. A massive thank you to our team leaders for organising it all. Your unwavering support means a lot to us and our guests in our hotel who look forward to receiving your support packages on a weekly basis.
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“Twenty-nine volunteers contributed to creating monthly support packages for Robes guests in February, in the parish of Herne Hill. Many of them were people who volunteered at the winter night shelter there last year, but some were getting involved with Robes for the first time. Volunteers took on different roles – some people shopped and put together a complete package for one or more individuals, others donated the cost of a package and commissioned someone else to do the shopping, others helped with the delivery – so it was a real team effort.One volunteer said, “The pandemic has made life even harder for so many people – I was really glad to be able to do something practical to help”.”
Volunteers from St. Paul’s Herne Hill dropping off support packages for Robes guests.
GUEST STORIES 2021
By Isabel Hendley
Sophia’s Story
Sophia attended Tuesday Club with a painful back. After being turned away from the G.P receptionist as she had no Identification, she was afraid due to her current legal status that she would be declined any access to a doctor. The advice team reassured her and registered her with a local G.P immediately. They introduced her to Doctors of The World, who advised Sophia on her rights. She was able to fill out an HC2 Certificate, for full help with NHS costs due to her destitution. The advisors directed Sophia to the local urgent walk-in centre and provided travel costs.
Robes have also referred Sophia to a specialist refugee association who have assigned her with an immigration advisor, and are assisting with weekly befriending sessions over the phone to provide emotional support.
Joyce’s Story
Joyce is a regular face at the Tuesday Club, and for the first time asked to meet with an advice worker. She had just received two letters from the DWP, one stating their decision to stop her PIP (Personal Independence Payment), and another to say her ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) would also decrease. Joyce was really distressed as she was already facing debts and struggling to get by.
The advice team wrote letters of support requesting a mandatory reconsideration of the decision made by the DWP and supported Joyce in gathering evidence outlining her needs. The advisors linked Joyce up with Step Change and Christians against Poverty, two charities that provide specialist advice around finances and debt. The team will continue to support and advocate for Joyce at Tuesday Club. We are reminded each week of the importance of Robes meeting people like Sophia and Joyce in person, to best understand the challenges they face.
YOU CAN REGISTER NOW FOR ROBES SLEEPOUT 2021
The past few years have been challenging for Robes Project when it comes to the annual SleepOut. We had to cancel SleepOut 2019 due to a terrorist attack in London Bridge and last year Robes held its first-ever virtual SleepIn due to COVID-19. However, there is nothing like being around real people in person. Why not make a difference this year by signing up to Robes SleepOut @ Southwark Cathedral. YES SIGN ME UP NOW!