Downside’s work with Help for Homeless

Lay Chaplain

Involving pupils in the weekly HelpForHomeless SoupRun offers them a valuable opportunity to gain perspective on their own lives. The individuals assisted by this charity hold significant value, a realisation that becomes clear to the pupils through their participation. This experience fosters compassion and helps the pupils recognise the inherent dignity of each person. During the SoupRun, students are encouraged to engage by asking two simple questions: inquiring about the individual’s name and how their day has been. Such questions, often overlooked by the general public and various agencies that may see these individuals merely as statistics or ‘problems,’ are powerful gestures of acknowledgment and respect.
Paul Andrewartha

Founder of Help for Homeless

Pupils in the Upper and Lower Sixth years, help on a weekly basis Help for Homeless to deliver food, bedding, clothing, toiletries and other necessities to the vulnerable in Bath, in all weathers, and the pupils help give relief to those most in need, when they most need it.

Help for Homeless is a charity that rely on volunteers to keep things together and as a result the charity support 50+ homeless people in Bristol once a month, 30+ in Bath every week, 20+ in Yeovil each week and the same in Taunton. The charity operates out of a converted stable block and a barn which is full of donated clothes and furniture.

The support from the pupils at Downside is not only on the street, but with their fund raising, is a huge importance and is gratefully received. It’s also important for the pupils to see and understand the difficulties some face in life, a hard but crucial lesson to learn. The pupils are dedicated to their charity work, and it does not go unnoticed.
Iona White – Founder
https://www.helpforhomeless.net/

Downside Pupils

As a member of the St Theresa Community, I can engage in many charitable events – or even organize one. I joined Downside in September and one of the first thing was doing SoupRun with Help for Homeless. This provided me with being able to contribute to a more just and compassionate world while getting to know many people with different backgrounds at the same time. That was an amazing start of the school year. Then I co-organized Mary’s Meals Porridge Day. Mary’s Meals provides one good meal every school day for hungry children living in 18 of the world’s poorest countries. We raised money for the charity and had a special breakfast with porridge and quizzes. I was involved in Roses and Rollos and organised Shattered Pens day – a school campaign that aimed to promote freedom of speech – we raised over 100 pounds for PEN International, debated and sent letters to the leaders of countries where Christians are persecuted. I also took part in Sleepout for Help for Homeless. This was an unique opportunity to gather as a community and be more united in helping and serving people around us. I would say this is one of the most important thing in my life – serving others makes me more humble and because of it I feel a goal in my life. Volunteering allows me to contribute my time, resources and skills towards addressing social issues and improving the communities around me. It brings people from diverse backgrounds together to work for a common goal, fostering empathy and understanding. It plays a crucial role in my life as a Christian and as a part of Downside community.
Amelia

Over the past 2 years I have been volunteering weekly at Help For Homeless charity in bath in which we serve an approximate 30-40 people per evening. Downside School provides 2 pupil volunteers each week. I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of this charity. Over this time I have gotten out of my comfort zone, developed communication and confidence skills through talking to those who are struggling with addiction, homelessness and depression. I have also received a greater understanding of empathy, compassion and the struggles that homeless people face on a daily basis. This experience has forever changed my life, making me feel more grateful for what I have and allowing me to understand that it’s not just about handing out food, clothes and having a chat but actually about making lifelong differences and spreading kindness across the local community.
Oscar

I have recently been to some soup runs, where I help with distributing items and making drinks for the people who needs them. I honestly really enjoyed it — I get to talk to more people, and I know that when I treat them with respect, they would appreciate it; and I think this is the foundation in every conversation and relationship. I have learned much in these service sessions, and a very significant lesson is that, some people are desperately in need, but they just couldn’t make up the courage to ask for help, so we really need to take initiative to helping people, as it is a privilege to be able to help others.
Alberto