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One of the top needs identified in our research project was production
a guide for homeless people form that would be convenient and durable.
So early in 2002 we set to work. Its theme - Survival on the
streets, a handbook gathering together details of hostels, day centres,
places to get food, health services and advice, toilets and a wealth of
other useful information.
By mid summer the first edition was ready and the months of planning
and hard work
with many organisations in Bristol
culminated in a high profile launch by three local MPs, the Lord Mayor
of Bristol,
representatives of about 30 local organisations and other supporters.
It was a great day but would the handbook itself prove to be a success,
practical and really useful?
We needn't have worried - 1000 copies were quickly taken up and it
became obvious that a second reprint was needed. We had underestimatedhow useful it would be to a much larger audience than the homeless
themselves. Shops, other homelessness organisations and agencies and
churches were amongst those who found it to be a valuable resource.
So here we are three years on having just printed a full update with
new
entries and even more useful information. 5000 copies were printed of
the fourth edition and after a month nearly 2000 had been distributed,
showing the need is still as great.
Meanwhile other cities have followed our lead and in very similar
format have produced their own handbooks.
Copies of the Survival Handbook are provided free of charge but
organisations and individuals who are able to make a donation towards
our costs are encouraged to do so.
To order a copy of the Handbook please contact
us.
After the Success of the Survival Handbook it was decided we should
provide a resource for those who work within the homeless community.
After discussions with people who work in this sector it was decided
that a website would be the most practical format. The work then
began on turning the idea into reality.
The website has three parts to it; one is a directory with details of
organisations who work with homeless people. The other two the dynamic
side are, called 'Hot Topics' and ‘Noticeboard’. One of the main ideas
behind the project was keep the sector up to date with all the local
and national news. We hope we have achieved this but to see for
yourself visit www.caringinbristol.org
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