Dozens of volunteers are playing their part in a Watford-based charity’s biggest campaign to date to help people in need across England.
Hand on Heart is in the process of distributing 1,700 packs of essential items to rough sleepers, asylum seekers and refugees, including those from Ukraine, at 25 locations throughout this month, including Watford, central London and in other towns and cities from Birmingham to Southend.
Each essential item pack contains 14 items: a polo shirt, t-shirt, underwear, socks, oral hygiene kit (toothbrush/paste), face masks, wet wipes, deodorants, shower gel, hand sanitisers, first aid plasters, blanket and a drawstring bag. In addition, shower jackets, sleeping bags, blankets and bottled water will be available at the outreach drives.
The campaign preparation team at the charity's Watford headquarters
Hand on Heart’s co-founder Afzal Pradhan said: “We are seeing increases in rough sleepers on the streets – which is expected to worsen with Covid-related support ending, and the significant rises in the cost of living such as heating and the cost of groceries.
“The items in the spring essential packs are carefully thought out; from the jackets to keep our guests dry to new polo shirts that can be worn to job interviews.
"The items in the essential packs provides rough sleepers with some hygiene and dignity which we all take for granted.”
The essential item packs
Hand on Heart has partnered with the Beta Charitable Trust and 22 other charities – including homeless shelters and food banks – for the initiative.
More than 50 volunteer families have supported the preparation of the packs at the charity’s Watford headquarters, while another 70, children from three schools and residents at a care home in Coventry, have been involved in the packing.
As the distribution coincides with religious festivals, the packs have also been accompanied by Easter Eggs, cupcakes and Eid cards.
Hand on Heart was set up in 2007 to support rough sleepers, the vulnerable and disadvantaged across England.
The group has evolved since 2019 to provide essential items and vital services to rough sleepers.
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