Scouts link up with Greenwich homeless charity to help rough sleepers
Scouts from the 16th Westminster Scout Group have warmed the hearts of people experiencing homelessness this winter by donating useful goodies for a charity dedicated to helping those out on the street.
The scouts put together Christmas presents and cards for Emmaus Greenwich’s Street Souls outreach project, a fortnightly event which offers food and support to people experiencing homelessness in Westminster.
The gifts contained either a hat or socks, and a bag with items in including toiletries, mini torches, and other useful items.
Any leftover presents were donated to the Woolwich Common Community Centre’s Christmas event supporting those in need and a Christmas drop-in centre for WSUP – another service aiding the homeless.
Scout Leader Ed Ricketts said: “When a scout is invested, they promise to help other people. This promise is made by every scout around the world and has been in every promise since 1908.
“Writing cards and chatting to those in need let the scouts learn on their own terms what it means to be homeless, and how to lend a hand over a tough period. We are immensely grateful to Street Souls for giving us the opportunity to help and look forward to working together in the future.”
Emmaus Greenwich has been supporting people experiencing homelessness in south London since 1994, providing accommodation, training, support, and meaningful work experience in its social enterprises.
The Street Souls project relaunched in 2022, and offers food, clothing and support to people who are currently sleeping rough in London. The project currently takes place twice a month, at St Stephens church in Rochester Row, Knightsbridge.
Street Souls leader Gen Rogers said: “The Scout group were so kind and helpful. They wrote some very inspiring messages in Christmas cards and it was lovely to see the smiles on our visitors’ faces when the scouts handed them a present.”
Pictured top: Young scouts on the case (Picture: Emmaus Greenwich)
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