Page 14 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 118 - January 2024

Members’ Emergency Fund

Update

2023 proved to be a quiet year for the MEF trustees, with no applications for assis-
tance from our BPW members with either a loan or grant.
We have continued to disperse some of our funds to other like-minded charitable or-
ganisations, as identified by our members.
These have ranged from providing wigs for women who have lost their own hair due
to cancer treatment, play equipment, including pencils paper and colouring sticks to the vol-
unteers working in a children's hospital ward, and feminine hygiene products for those in
need. These smaller charities are very dear to our members as they come into contact with
them on a very personal basis and our gifts can make a real difference.
Earlier this year we had to say goodbye to trustee Karen Brickstock as she moved
away from the SEW area, and we are very pleased to welcome Dr Judith Cook as the new
area representative.
Earlier this year BPW UK MEF trustees reminded members that their funds are availa-
ble for them to apply for a grant to help a local charity and SEW region decided to ask on
behalf of Help Bristol’s Homeless.
So, Sue Holtom visited their ‘village’ project before Christmas so she could get a bet-
ter understanding of what they do and was very impressed. Their ethos is 'Hand Up not a
Hand Out'. Bristol has many charities that provide food, sleeping bags and tents to the
homeless but that doesn't change their circumstances. What homeless people really want is
a roof over their heads and this charity enables that to happen.

I

It currently has 31 residents, men and women living in individual shipping containers
equipped with heating, cooking and washing amenities. A fully kitted out shipping container
costs £19,000. There is a laundry and cafe on site as well as a Wellbeing centre offering
mental health counselling and financial advice services. The residents can stay for between
6 months to a year and the charity operates on a no drugs and no alcohol basis.
Jasper Thompson and his team of volunteers support 548 homeless people and they
have enabled 138 residents to move onto independent living and make a positive contribu-
tion to society. They are reliant entirely on donations as they receive no central government
funding. The BPW UK Members Emergency Fund agreed to give them a grant. We are
delighted!

Janet Henley, MEF Trustee &
Sue Holtom, Area Co-ordinator, BPW Southern England & Wales