Social enterprise offers life-changing opportunities for residents impacted by homelessness
Following campaigning from Rugby Liberal Democrats, Rugby Borough Council has joined forces with Beam to pilot the enterprise in the borough, supporting the homeless and residents at risk of homelessness into training and employment via a unique crowdfunding platform.
And just a week after launching her campaign to raise nearly £1,300, Cynthia - the borough's first resident to benefit from Beam - has already reached her fund-raising goal to become a support worker.
The council's Community Advice and Support Team, together with organisations from the borough's voluntary and charitable sectors, work with Beam to identify residents who can embrace employment and training opportunities with the social enterprise's support.
A caseworker from Beam works with each resident, helping to create a public crowd-funding campaign on the social enterprise's website where members of the public can donate towards job training, work tools, travel or childcare and leave messages of encouragement.
Beam's caseworkers provide residents with CV support, interview skills training and access to a range of top employers, and continue supporting the resident through the first three months of employment.
Cynthia, whose identity has been protected, has worked with Beam following a difficult year which saw her and her children having to start from scratch.
In her campaign story, Cynthia explains: "It feels like my own dreams and ambitions have taken a pause during everything that's been going on.
"Sometimes I wonder whether it will ever be possible for me to find work... I wonder how much of this is down to a lack of skills or whether it's a lack of confidence due to everything that's happened and how long I've been out of work.
"My dream for the future is peace. Peace for my children, my family and my own peace of mind. And I'd like to focus on my career. I want to become a better version of myself and to be financially independent."
Cynthia successfully crowdfunded £1,298 via Beam from 30 members of the public to pursue a career as a support worker, with the money going towards a laptop, childminding training course, travel, work clothes, smartphone and a DBS check.
Working with Beam, the council aims to offer support to 50 residents during the pilot, with the potential to extend the project.
About Beam
Launched in 2017, Beam is the world's first crowdfunding platform for homeless people. Working in partnership with registered charities and local authorities in the UK, Beam is helping hundreds of homeless people to gain work in sectors facing critical skill shortages.
Beam has amassed a giving base of more than 20,000 supporters, who between them have donated more than £2.9 million. 100 per cent of all donations go directly towards the end campaign, with each cost tracked and visible to the public.
After making a donation, supporters receive updates on how the person they have supported is progressing through training and into work. They can also leave messages of encouragement, providing an extra boost of confidence to those in need.
For more information about Beam, visit www.beam.org
Innovative approach needed to help homeless back to work - Rugby Lib Dems