‘Tap for Penzance’ Project launched to tackle homelessness this Spring

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‘Tap for Penzance’ Project launched to tackle homelessness this Spring
‘Tap for Penzance’, a partnership project between Safer Penzance, Penzance Business Improvement District and St Petrocs has just been launched. Designed to offer people an alternative to giving money directly to people who beg in Penzance, it will involve the placement of contactless donation points and QR codes in local shops and in shop windows. Through one tap, money can be donated directly to charity through St Petrocs who provide services to people experiencing homelessness.
Through this project, members of the local community and local businesses can work together to end street begging whilst supporting people sleeping rough.
Olly Bayliss, from Safer Cornwall, explains the approach the project takes.
“Despite the best of intentions, giving money on the street isn’t necessarily the best way to help people with complex needs and situations to improve their circumstances. We are pleased to be giving people visiting Penzance an easy alternative to make sure that their good will goes straight to St Petrocs, who work to achieve long term solutions to those who are homeless”
The ‘Tap for Penzance’ project will help to fund St Petrocs’ Breadline centre in Penzance, that has worked with people sleeping rough in the local area since 2005. The diversion of funds to the local charity that works to find permanent housing solutions for people will ensure that those who are street begging and homeless can access appropriate support. Money donated will help to support the Breadline centre, that works primarily with people who are sleeping rough in the local area, supporting them with hot food, warm clothing, sleeping bags and housing advice.
Sarah Shaw, Penzance BID Manager said “This initiative will be so beneficial to all in Penzance and we are pleased as a business community to support this and work together to prevent antisocial behaviour in the town centre”.
“St Petrocs are incredibly grateful to the businesses in Penzance and the Safer Penzance Team for supporting their work and this initiative” says Lois Wild, Director of Engagement at St Petrocs. “We welcome partnership working to ensure that our work benefits everyone in our local communities”.
The project partners would love to hear from you if your business would like to support this initiative.
 
 
ENDS
Media Enquiries
All requests to be directed to:
Louise Reid
Supporter Care Manager
louise.reid@stpetrocs.org.uk
07706 309846
 
Editorial Notes
St Petrocs is a charity working to end homelessness in Cornwall, because every person has the right to a safe and secure home.
St Petrocs provides the support required for clients to find a route out of homelessness. Services include advice, support and medical services at three community resource centres and around the county with an outreach team; supported accommodation housing over 165 people across Cornwall; a skills, training and employment programme to ensure that people can return to independence; and Freshfield, an in-house counselling service. 
St Petrocs focus on the following four areas to achieve their mission:

• Preventing homelessness
• Making homelessness an exception
• Making the experience of homelessness short
• Supporting people out of homelessness for good