A homelessness charity has commenced celebrations of 20 years of supporting entrenched rough sleepers across West Yorkshire with a number of events throughout its birthday month.
Simon on the Streets was formed in 1999 to support those sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping in Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees. The charity will celebrate its 20th anniversary throughout November with a variety of events and activities.
The celebrations kicked off on 12th November with a corporate networking event for its ‘5 for 5’ business club members and guests held at and sponsored by Leeds’ Village Hotel, North, Otley Road.
The charity is also calling on businesspeople to sign up to ‘bring a pound to work day’ on Friday 22nd November, before concluding the birthday month with a party at The Holbeck from 7pm on 29th November. The evening event includes live music from Hope & Social and Skandals, with all proceeds going towards Simon on the Streets.
Simon on the Streets CEO, Eric Richardson said:
“We’ve come a long way in the past 20 years and with homelessness continuing to rise our work is increasingly important. Our 20th anniversary is an opportunity to both raise awareness of the work we’re doing and celebrate an important milestone with those who’ve been supported by and have supported the charity over the years.”
Established in 1999 by three friends, Jon Davis, Joe Hanney and Chris Goss who met in the London Simon Community, the trio moved to Leeds to set up the Leeds Simon Community, which later became Simon on the Streets. The outreach approach used to support rough sleepers allowed them to build up trusting relationships with people who were not accessing other services.
Today Simon on the Streets is a local, independent charity which supports those sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping in Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees.
The organisation offers outreach support on both an emotional and practical basis, as often these individuals struggle with complex mental and behavioural issues which prevents them from accessing mainstream services.
The charity is also calling on people who have been supported by the charity over the past 20 years, as well as friends and family members, to share their stories and join the celebrations of Simon on the Streets’ work over the past two decades.
Anyone who has previously been supported by the charity is asked to contact admin@simononthestreets.co.uk.
Tickets to attend the 20th anniversary birthday party can be purchased from https://www.seetickets.com/tour/simon-on-the-streets-20th-anniversary-party.
