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Campaign launched to give homeless people employment training to get them back into work | Campaign launched to give homeless people employment training to get them back into work |
(3 days later) | |
A crowdfunding campaign has been launching to fund employment training for homeless people to get them back into work. | A crowdfunding campaign has been launching to fund employment training for homeless people to get them back into work. |
A recent report by housing charity Shelter found more than 300,000 people are now sleeping rough in Britain. | A recent report by housing charity Shelter found more than 300,000 people are now sleeping rough in Britain. |
Beam allows users to sponsor homeless people and contribute towards training courses in London. | Beam allows users to sponsor homeless people and contribute towards training courses in London. |
It also lets users follow their progress, with regular updates and photos of them receiving training or at work. | It also lets users follow their progress, with regular updates and photos of them receiving training or at work. |
Donations can be made monthly or in a lump sum, and donors can choose to either sponsor a specific homeless person or make a general donation to every campaign. | |
The app has been backed by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and is being launched in partnership with ten homelessness charities including St Mungo’s, Centrepoint and Thames Reach. | The app has been backed by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and is being launched in partnership with ten homelessness charities including St Mungo’s, Centrepoint and Thames Reach. |
After the charities have recommended a homeless person, staff at Beam will seek a second reference to verify the accuracy of their personal stories, which are posted on the website along with a picture. | After the charities have recommended a homeless person, staff at Beam will seek a second reference to verify the accuracy of their personal stories, which are posted on the website along with a picture. |
They then work together to create an action plan and budget for the campaign. | They then work together to create an action plan and budget for the campaign. |
The money is paid straight to the training provider. | The money is paid straight to the training provider. |
Those who find work through Beam are encouraged to repay their funding by donating to other people's campaigns via small monthly standing orders. | |
So far, every Beam member has opted to pay forward the full value of their campaign. | So far, every Beam member has opted to pay forward the full value of their campaign. |
Tony, who was Beam's first member, successfully funded his campaign to train as an electrician within less than month, raising £4,378 from 136 supporters. | Tony, who was Beam's first member, successfully funded his campaign to train as an electrician within less than month, raising £4,378 from 136 supporters. |
“When I first heard about Beam,” Tony said, “I thought, ‘why would anyone want to help me out?’ I couldn’t believe it when the money started coming in. | “When I first heard about Beam,” Tony said, “I thought, ‘why would anyone want to help me out?’ I couldn’t believe it when the money started coming in. |
"Then, when I read the messages from my supporters, I just didn’t have words. Thanks to Beam, I’m now training to become a fully-qualified electrician.” | "Then, when I read the messages from my supporters, I just didn’t have words. Thanks to Beam, I’m now training to become a fully-qualified electrician.” |
Alex Stephany, the founder of Beam, said: “I believe people want to help but feel powerless. | Alex Stephany, the founder of Beam, said: “I believe people want to help but feel powerless. |
"Crowdfunding technology makes it safe and easy to help someone out of homelessness for the long-term.” | "Crowdfunding technology makes it safe and easy to help someone out of homelessness for the long-term.” |
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