BARRATT HOMES MAKES GRAND GESTURE TO HIGH PEAK HOMELESS HELP

Barratt Homes Manchester donated £1,000 to High Peak Homeless Help in Buxton towards packages of essential supplies.

High Peak Homeless Help, founded in 2003, was originally set up to provide overnight accommodation for young homeless people in the area. As years went by, the need for its services expanded to encompass all ages and all forms of hard times they may have fallen on. This donation was made through the Barratt Homes Legacy initiative, which aims to support local community projects and organisations throughout the areas in which it builds.

Foodbanks and charity shops were opened to provide food and clothing, the charity began providing training sessions on budgeting, cooking and other skills, and helping people into tenancies and employment among many other services.

Not only does the charity tackle existing homelessness in the community, it also aims to prevent it from happening in the first place. It deals with many enquiries from current tenants who are facing concerns of losing their home or not being able to afford food or heating.

Charles Jolly, a trustee and treasurer at High Peak Homeless Help, said: “If we weren’t here there would be a lot more homeless people and rough sleepers. Although there are council services available for rough sleepers, it can take time to find somewhere for them.

“We often provide a tent or other help until the local authority can sort something more permanent. A recent development is that there are many more people sleeping in cars and vans; all sorts of supplies can help them until more permanent solutions can be found.

“We have developed ‘care rucksacks’ with a range of essentials for people who are homeless. We are putting the funding from Barratt Homes towards these items, which range from wind-up torches, wind-up radios and writing equipment to warm hats and socks, as well as the previously mentioned tents.”

With the cost of living crisis causing huge concern to many up and down the country, charities such as High Peak Homeless Help could be faced with greater need for its services than ever before.

Charles continued: “Donating to local charities is a vital lifeline. Not only does it help us just to make ends meet but the fact that local individuals, groups and businesses support us impresses charitable trusts to whom we apply for grants.

“This knock-on effect means we are more likely to receive even more funding, so we are grateful to Barratt Homes for its recent support.”

High Peak Homeless Help is based in Buxton and operates in High Peak and surrounding areas in Derbyshire and have many opportunities for volunteering.

Michaela Lancaster, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “As a leading developer it is really important that we support the community in the areas in which we build.

“High Peak Homeless Help is doing incredibly important work in the local Buxton area, and with the difficulties many are likely to face in the coming months, it is vital to support these charities in any way we can.”

For more information about High Peak Homeless Help, visit www.hphh.co.uk/.