PEOPLE experiencing homelessness will soon be able to get help and advice about their money issues, thanks to a project that’s been supported by a city council anti-poverty community grant.
Leicester charity Action Homeless will launch its Money Talks project next month, having successfully applied to the council for a £10,000 grant.
The project aims to equip those who are getting ready to move into their own home with budgeting skills and the means to manage their own finances.
There will be regular workshops and drop-in clinics, as well as one-to-one appointments, while those living in Action Homeless’s temporary housing will be invited to talk to the Money Talks team.
Eilidh Stringer, funding manager at Action Homeless, said: “We are so thrilled to be taking this much-needed project forward.
“The people who Action Homeless support are at a transitional moment in life, getting ready to move into their own home, and this project will help them build the key skills and independence that will help break the cycle of homelessness in Leicester.”
Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell, who leads on the council’s anti-poverty agenda, said: “Action Homeless’s Money Talks project is a great example of the sort of initiative we wanted to hear about when we launched our anti-poverty community grants scheme last year.
“This project offers practical help, aiming to equip those experiencing homelessness with the skills and confidence they’ll need to take the next step in their lives.
“As a local charity, Action Homeless works closely with its clients, so it’s perfectly placed to deliver practical help that will make a big difference to so many lives.
“Leicester is fortunate to have a very active community and voluntary sector that does incredible work to support people – and through our anti-poverty community grants scheme, we hope to help an even wider network of organisations to provide support to even more individuals and families.”
Action Homeless will host the Money Talks project at its newly-refurbished Engage Wellbeing Suite (pictured). The service will be operational from Monday 12 June.
For more information about the charity and its Money Talks project, go to actionhomeless.org.uk
The city council’s anti-poverty community grants scheme was launched in November 2022 to support organisations that were working to address poverty in Leicester.
In the first round of bids, schools, charities, voluntary groups and businesses could apply for grants of up to £10,000 that would help them deliver practical help to people struggling with the cost of living crisis.
A total of 88 applications were submitted by the closing date in December. So far, more than £100,000 has been allocated to 13 projects that are helping people across Leicester. Projects that have already received their grants include a community takeaway food scheme, a cooking-on-a-budget course, a scheme to support vulnerable families with baby equipment, a starter pack scheme providing basic household items for those moving into permanent accommodation after homelessness, and a community café offering a warm space that can now extend its opening hours.
A second round of applications will be launched later this year, when grants of over £10k will be available for more transformative and large-scale projects.
In total, the city council’s anti-poverty scheme will make £250,000 available for community grants each year for the next three years (2022-25).
The city council’s anti-poverty community grants scheme is part of a range of measures the council is taking to help people through the cost of living crisis.
These include the development of the Better Off Leicester service, which shows people the benefits they’re entitled to and helps them to apply for them online, and the administration of the Government’s £6.8million household support fund, which ensures that help is given to the city’s most vulnerable households.
Anyone who is facing crisis because of rising living costs can email the council at [email protected], setting out their needs and contact details.
Help and advice on the cost of living is available at leicester.gov.uk/costofliving
More information about the city council’s anti-poverty strategy is available at leicester.gov.uk/anti-poverty
