Like many of you, SPEAR Homeless Charity has been devastated about the impact of COVID-19 on local organisations and people in our community. SPEAR supports some of the most vulnerable people in the boroughs of Richmond, Merton, Sutton, Kingston and Wandsworth and has been helping people experiencing homelessness in our local community for well over 30 years.
Although times are difficult, SPEAR is facing the COVID-19 outbreak head-on. Whilst many of us can ‘stay at home’, many are without a home and have needed our help more than ever. SPEAR’s rough sleeper outreach teams have been working tirelessly with the local government to help fulfil their mission of getting ALL rough sleepers off the street, to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Many rough sleepers are scared and anxious.
Head of Outreach, Lisa Moodie said:
’I know we are only at the beginning of this journey, but it has been an honour to witness the extraordinary support that our Rough Sleeper Outreach team have given during an incredibly difficult and stressful time for everyone, but most of all a very anxious time for those sleeping rough on the streets.’
A recent evaluation of SPEAR’s Homeless Healthlink Service summarised that 68% of the clients accessing the service suffer chest and/or respiratory problems. With the average age of death for a rough sleeper being 47 for males and 43 for females, many of the people SPEAR help are vulnerable and need support more than ever.
Physical and mental health issues can be further barriers to self-isolating and social-distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Plus, self-isolation itself can contribute to relationship breakdown which is one of the main causes of homelessness.
For those off the streets and living in SPEAR’s hostels and shared accommodations, SPEAR has responded quickly to the crisis, continuing to help their residents, whilst also protecting staff and clients from the spread of the virus. Personal protective hygiene equipment has been distributed and staff and residents are social-distancing.
This has all happened at a time when our community fundraising events have shut-down, a time when SPEAR needs support more than ever.
PLEASE DONATE to SPEAR’s COVID-19 Crowd Funding Appeal at bit.ly/SPEARcovidAPPEAL
POST A CHEQUE TO: SPEAR, 9 Briar Road, Twickenham, TW2 6RB. Cheques made payable to SPEAR.