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Campaign launched to give homeless people employment training to get them back into work

Users can follow their progress with regular updates and photos of them receiving training or at work

Thursday 16 November 2017 15:38 GMT

(Getty)

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.

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.

Three teenagers shown on CCTV giving homeless man duvet

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.

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.

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.

The causes of homelessness

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1/7The causes of homelessness

The causes of homelessness

Family Breakdown

Relationship breakdown, usually between young people and their parents or step-parents, is a major cause of youth homelessness. Around six in ten young people who come to Centrepoint say they had to leave home because of arguments, relationship breakdown or being told to leave. Many have experienced long-term problems at home, often involving violence, leaving them without the family support networks that most of us take for granted

The causes of homelessness

Complex needs

Young people who come to Centrepoint face a range of different and complex problems. More than a third have a mental health issue, such as depression and anxiety, another third need to tackle issues with substance misuse. A similar proportion also need to improve their physical health. These problems often overlap, making it more difficult for young people to access help and increasing the chances of them becoming homeless

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The causes of homelessness

Deprivation

Young people's chances of having to leave home are higher in areas of high deprivation and poor prospects for employment and education. Many of those who experience long spells of poverty can get into problem debt, which makes it harder for them to access housing

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The causes of homelessness

Gang Crime

Homeless young people are often affected by gang-related problems. In some cases, it becomes too dangerous to stay in their local area meaning they can end up homeless. One in six young people at Centrepoint have been involved in or affected by gang crime

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The causes of homelessness

Exclusion From School

Not being in education can make it much more difficult for young people to access help with problems at home or health problems. Missing out on formal education can also make it more difficult for them to move into work

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The causes of homelessness

Leaving Care

Almost a quarter of young people at Centrepoint have been in care. They often have little choice but to deal with the challenges and responsibilities of living independently at a young age. Traumas faced in their early lives make care leavers some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities, with higher chances of poor outcomes in education, employment and housing. Their additional needs mean they require a higher level of support to maintain their accommodation

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The causes of homelessness

Refugees

Around 13 per cent of young people at Centrepoint are refugees or have leave to remain, meaning it isn't safe to return home. This includes young people who come to the UK as unaccompanied minors, fleeing violence or persecution in their own country. After being granted asylum, young people sometimes find themselves with nowhere to go and can end up homeless

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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.

"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.

"Crowdfunding technology makes it safe and easy to help someone out of homelessness for the long-term.”

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