News

When the crisis is over and social distancing rules are relaxed what will happen to those people who have started to take baby steps on their road to recovery and a better life?When hotels want their rooms back and people return to a new version of normality will the people in those rooms be dispatched to the streets again?

The 2.6 Challenge, launches on Sunday, April 26 (which would have been the day of the London marathon, 26 miles, hence 2.6!) asks people to dream up an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and fundraise through sponsorship or simply by making a donation to their chosen charity.

Local boxer and student Ezra Arenyeka has set himself the challenge of running 10 miles every day for ten days to raise money for St Martins.

We are all working differently at the moment and today, 20th April, our CEO Jan recorded a message for our supporters to update you on how things are at St Martins.

Many people are concerned about how homeless people are being supported during the Covid 19 outbreak, particularly those who are sleeping rough and also concerns about how they are accessing food during the lockdown.

St Martins is working with a local animation studio to create a short film to highlight the best way members of the public can help homeless people.

During the current global crisis it is more important than ever for St Martins to continue working to support people who are homeless in Norwich and Norfolk.

On Friday the government asked local authorities to house all rough sleepers. Along with our partners, we have done that. As new people arrive on the streets, we are responding to their needs too. In addition to housing, these people need specialist support and we continue to provide that.

Before the word ‘isolated’ took on a new meaning, it described many of the people St Martins supports. Due to poor mental health and sometimes other factors, including addiction and illness, there are a number of people who receive regular contact from our Community Services team.

When we can no longer do them, we realise just how important social activities are in our lives.  Imagine then, how important social activities are for people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness?