A group of five adult, child and mental health nursing students have started a new charitable project for homeless people in Nottingham.
Tea & Company was established in January 2017 by founders Rebecca Webster, Carrie Hau, Freya Lama, Hannah Freer and Rebekah Hughes. The charity delivers food and drinks to people on the streets of Nottingham on the last Wednesday of every month.
The founders were concerned about the link between homelessness and mental health issues so they mobilised to do something about it. As well as handing out food and drink, they engage with people, listen to their stories and promote physical and mental wellbeing while signposting them to services they may require.
Project co-founder Rebecca Webster says: “Homelessness is a public health issue and people are 20% more likely to experience mental health problems, but more critically, they are also more likely to get to crisis point before it’s addressed as they don’t have a permanent home.”
Another project co-founder, Hannah Freer, adds: “We not only give out food and drinks, but we also collect clothing and sleeping materials such as sleeping bags and offer those out also. We are lucky enough to have other students and friends and family who help us on the Tea & Company outings, but we are always looking for new volunteers.”
The project currently accepts donations from students at the University of Nottingham; however their stocks can’t be replenished quickly enough and are now looking for wider support ranging from donations to volunteering on an outing or helping to support the project with skills, for example, setting up a webpage or helping with materials to promote the project.
Want to find out more? Check out the project’s Jumpstart page or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.
For more information contact nsnmp.volunteer@gmail.com.
Posted on Thursday 15th June 2017