A Torfaen-based charity that helps people sleeping rough has been awarded a £15,300 grant to support their work.
Giving Hope Torfaen was set up by Stephen Manning and became a registered charity four years ago.
They’ve been given the money from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Stephen told Cwmbran Life: “We are at the point now as a charity we personally wanted to be at. We are the charity people call if help is needed for a street homeless person in Torfaen.
“We are contacted through our Facebook group page and the community.”
He said organisations including Gwent Police, the owners of Cwmbran shopping centre, local drugs charities and the probation service have contacted Giving Hope Torfaen.
When the charity is told the location of a person who is homeless they aim to visit within two days and provide donations of clothing and toiletries, along with a tent and sleeping bag (if needed).
‘1,500 parcels’
Stephen said: “We continue to visit them and help them as long as they are on the street and sometimes afterward.”
The charity visits Cardiff every month and donates 25-30 parcels of clothes and toiletries to people on the streets.
He said over the last four years the charity has given away around 1,500 parcels.
The charity’s Facebook page has become a useful place in Torfaen where the volunteers offer items like prams, household goods and children’s items either for free or low-cost to residents.
Stephen and one of the volunteers, Gemma Waters, have given talks at several junior schools to raise awareness about people sleeping rough and to answer questions.
Stephen said Giving Hope Torfaen has four trustees, an accountant and “background staff” who help with paperwork.