For someone experiencing or at risk of homelessness, it’s common to have at least one criminal conviction, which makes it extremely difficult to find a job. Many application forms ask about previous criminal activity and we’re legally required to disclose it because many companies will perform routine DBS checks. An alternative option is to become self-employed, which is why Give DIFFerently have helped two grants applicants out of unemployment. With the full £750 grant, they have been provided with essential equipment to start their businesses. A criminal record can hold back the progress of a person experiencing or at risk of homelessness, leaving them with very few options to earn money. This only increases the chances of them turning back to crime to survive. A criminal past should never stop someone from moving forward. This grant can help people experiencing homelessness gain confidence, motivation for work, and ensure that they…

Something as simple as owning a form of I.D can be a crucial step in escaping homelessness permanently. Driving licences, passports and birth certificates are easily lost or stolen when someone is sleeping rough and are extremely difficult to replace without a permanent address. Give DIFFerently supports access to I.D for people experiencing homelessness in Cardiff and has already provided four forms of identification to those who were struggling without it. Owning a form of identification allows access to crucial government services that we’re all entitled to. It’s needed to get a job, open a bank account, receive benefits and secure affordable housing. Without these vital services, breaking away from homelessness is almost impossible. The main barrier to obtaining I.D for a person experiencing homelessness can be a lack of money. The average cost of a driving license in the UK is £34-£43, depending on whether you apply online or…

After living on the streets, in emergency accommodation, hostels or sofa-surfing, it could be easy to think that being granted permanent housing is the ultimate fix for someone experiencing homelessness. However, in the case of someone being granted housing, it’s quite likely that it will be unfurnished with no basic amenities like a bed, oven or fridge. Several of our large grants have helped individuals and families to secure basic furniture and white goods in order to make their accommodation into a comfortable home. Living in a furnished home can make a real difference for someone moving away from homelessness. Being safe and secure whilst at home helps to build stability in life and could be the deciding factor in them staying away from homelessness for good.

Wayne received the first ever Give DIFFerently grant. His experience of homelessness started at the age of 15, when his parents lost their family home. For the next 25 years, he repeated a cycle of homelessness, addiction and prison until he reached a tipping point which forced him to admit himself into a treatment centre. “I had lost the use of my right leg and left arm due to my substance misuse and was in a bad way. I knew I couldn’t carry on, so went to The Wallich for help, and they put me in touch with The Salvation Army. From there I went into sheltered accommodation. I decided enough was enough and sought help for my addiction.” Wayne has been sober since 2014, and in that time has completed countless courses to improve his employability including qualifications in English, Maths, and counselling. However, despite doing lots of volunteering,…

Yasser became homeless when he was given a surprise eviction notice to leave his home immediately in February 2019. He left with just the clothes on his back and slept between friends’ houses and the streets of Cardiff for the next six months, which he describes as the worst time of his life. During these months, he faced a succession of obstacles. With no secure place, important documents were lost, and his benefits were sanctioned. Yasser said: “This ruined my life, and it was really painful until I got to the YMCA. But things are starting to get better now with the help of the people at the service.” Yasser is taking part in the Aspire program at the centre which is a four-week training program to help people experiencing homelessness get back into employment. He is also one of the many homeless people in Cardiff benefiting from the generosity…

Tom* became homeless in 2014 following a breakdown in his relationship with his partner. In September 2018, he was awarded our top grant of £750 to buy the necessary equipment to help him start up a business again. Before becoming homeless Tom operated a well-established construction and building company that he had built from the ground up. A change in personal circumstance and relationship breakdowns had a detrimental effect on his general health and wellbeing. With his self-esteem at an all-time low, his business broke down and he found himself in need of relying on a sickness benefit and frontline homeless services to support himself. He moved into a hostel and then onto Huggard Supported Housing where he was told about the Give DIFFerently fund. The grant has helped Tom to purchase equipment to help start up his business in the local community. This will help him to move away…

Today (Thursday 26th September), FOR Cardiff has launched Cardiff’s Homeless Charter to unite people, businesses, schools and universities to tackle homelessness in Cardiff together. Co-created with homeless organisations, it will provide other alternative ways to give through time, employment, skills and services to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Pledges can be made through the Give DIFFerently website. Businesses, such as Neal’s Yard, The Greenery and Jones the Barber have already come forward to offer a range of pledges such as offering community time to help people integrate into society, chef training to improve their employability and free haircuts to build confidence. Delyth Griffiths, owner of The Greenery in Cardiff Market, who experienced homelessness when she was 15 said, “I’ve been through my own struggle with homelessness and it can feel like the world is against you. It only took one person to help me get back on…

Over the last three weeks in March, donations for the Give DIFFerently campaign were collected via contactless technology at our interactive display in Cardiff city centre. For every tap at the contactless pay point, £2 will be put towards small grants for those who are currently experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Thanks to the Four Acre Trust, your £2 will become £4, doubling your donation.