A noisy demonstration staged by a local community group caused major disruption to filming for ITV’s People’s Millions project, Starting Out.
ITV, who were collecting footage to encourage support for the Starting Out project which hopes to tackle homelessness, were interrupted by a protest by another local group also working for the benefit of the homeless.
Stemming from frustration at the difficulty of attracting funding, something many voluntary and community organisations struggle with, the event confirmed the huge importance of winning support for projects such as Starting Out which could win £50,000 through the People’s Millions funding to help the vulnerable in Cornwall.
Starting Out, a partnership project involving three established Cornish reuse centres will provide furniture starter packs to help homeless people move into accommodation. Uniquely the project will also encourage the recipient to take part in supported volunteering, with the possibility of taking part in accredited training and receiving employment support, a solution that should see the project becoming a mainstream sustainable service, rather then constantly requiring grant funding.
Starting Out will help people like Maria Turner who was made homeless at the age of 18 following a domestic dispute. Maria spent some time sleeping rough and at friends’ houses before being housed in unfurnished accommodation. Talking about her situation Maria said: “Its terrifying, you never plan for these situations and just assume you will always live with your mum until you are ready to leave home.”
When questioned about moving into unfurnished accommodation Maria commented: “Of course you feel relieved and grateful just to have a roof over your head, but not being able to cook and sleeping on the floor in a completely empty room soon becomes depressing and makes friends’ sofas look inviting again.
Maria went on to say: “Not having furniture can affect your whole life. Your health deteriorates without decent food or sleep, this makes it hard to get a job or stick to training. Then if you start staying with friends too much you could lose the tenancy”
“Just buying basic furniture is difficult on benefits, and it is difficult to get off benefits without a proper home. I received help from a community grant – but it took months to come through. Starting Out could have helped me straight away – with everything I needed.”
When questioned on how she feels about the volunteering side of the project Maria stated: “I would be happy to volunteer my time to help an organisation that has helped me and recognise all the brilliant opportunities that volunteering at the reuse centres could open up for me. I already do some voluntary work but am thinking of getting involved at RE:SOURCE and looking in to their training opportunities.”
The Starting Out project needs public support in order to safeguard the vital funding needed to kick start the project. Details on how to vote can be found online at www.myresource.org.uk or by ringing 0800 321 3356.
