New research from Shelter shows at least 271,000 people are recorded as homeless in England. To help support vulnerable members of the local community in Canterbury, housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes, who is building new homes at Saxon Fields in Thanington and The Woodlands in Broad Oak, has made a £15,000 donation to Canterbury-based homeless charity Catching Lives.
Catching Lives works to support individuals affected by homelessness, rough sleeping, and insecure housing in and around Canterbury. In 2022 alone, Catching Lives supported 486 individuals who made over 9,000 visits to their day centre where they offer help with accessing accommodation, mental health support, and finding work whilst also offering daily meals, access to showers and laundry facilities. The donation from Barratt David Wilson Kent will help with the costs of opening the centre 365 days a year to ensure support is available at all times, such as one-to-one support and guidance, meals, and client welfare costs such as tents, sleeping bag and travel to and from accommodation.
Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director for Barratt David Wilson Kent, commented: “I have a very personal connection to homelessness, having found myself homeless over 20 years ago now. For this reason, charities such as Catching Lives who work tirelessly to help vulnerable members of the Kent community will always be extra special to me, having supported me in the past. Networks like this are essential, especially during a cost-of-living crisis, as everyone deserves a safe place with a roof over their head and warm meal. We hope that our large donation will help Catching Lives to continue the crucial work they are doing every day.”
Tasmin Maitland, Chief Executive at Catching Lives, added: “We are now seeing more people attending our day centre for support every day, and we are expecting to see a further increase as people struggle with rising costs. Most of our funds come from donations or applications to charitable trusts. Every little bit that we receive helps vulnerable individuals in the Canterbury area, and thanks to the generosity of companies like Barratt David Wilson Kent, we can continue to provide support for people in the local community who are facing a housing crisis.”
