Image caption (L-R): Wolverhampton Homes Chief Executive, Shaun Aldis, P3 Manager, Sam Bailey, Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Claire Darke, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Cllr Ian Brookfield, Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) Project Co-ordinator, Lucy Armstrong, and BID Director, Cherry Shine, at the charity launch event

Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID), City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes have joined forces to launch the Alternative Giving CIO charity to enable the generous people of the city to donate and support its vulnerable and homeless.

City Business Champions and partner agencies today (Tuesday) gathered in the City Suite, at the Civic Centre, to find out how they can support the charity and help tackle rough sleeping.

It builds on the success of the Alternative Giving Campaign set up by Wolverhampton BID in October 2016, which provides donation points across the city where people can donate small change, ensuring that their money goes direct to service providers and charities that help the homeless in Wolverhampton.

By giving to the charity people can be sure their small change goes directly to agencies helping the homeless, giving the public reassurance the money is used as their good-will intended.

To date it has raised an impressive £24,000 for P3, St Georges Hub, Street Pastors and other charities supporting homelessness.

The launch of the Alternative Giving CIO takes the campaign to the next level and will provide businesses and the public with the option to donate online and pledge their volunteer time and skills.

The charity is also looking to develop ‘Tap to Donate’ devices across the city to boost donations. 

All donations will be handed to charities to support the work they are doing to improve the current circumstances of the vulnerable and homeless, by offering them accommodation, assistance and advice.

Cherry Shine, BID Director, said: “The new charity status for the Alternative Giving CIO makes it easier to help the homeless and vulnerable individuals with the right support which is fundamental to this initiative. By providing an easy way to donate directly to these worthy charities, and working together with businesses, we will be able to support a positive change in our city and I am so proud of the charity receiving recognition today.”

City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield, said: “Nobody has to sleep outside in our city and nobody has to go hungry. Many of those who are homeless have complex needs. Our public health and housing teams’ partnership approach with homelessness organisations across the city is delivering positive results. We are supporting people into accommodation and giving them access to the services they need, meaning the number of rough sleepers on our streets is falling. However, there is still more to do, and we are encouraging people and businesses to support the Alternative Giving CIO in any way they can.”

Satvinder Goraya, Trustee, said: “Alternative Giving is an opportunity for everyone and anyone to make the choice to give, donate and support those in need. We recognise the value and importance of supporting others in need. It is a wonderful initiative, focused on ensuring funding, donations and resources reach those currently in severe hardship.

“We aim to stop the ‘revolving door’ cycle many people find themselves going around, by innovating the culture of giving. We are no longer enabling individuals to remain where they are, we hope to encourage people to access the breadth of support and provision that they deserve, in addition to the individual alternative giving/donations they need.”

To find out more about Alternative Giving CIO and ways to donate, please visit www.wolverhamptonchange.co.uk.