The StreetSmart initiative returns to Bristol from today, with the city’s hospitality industry helping to raise vital funds for those faced with life on the streets.
Since 1998, the initiative has partnered with restaurants across major cities, supporting local charities to help homeless people over the festive season. So far, StreetSmart has raised over £11.2 million in total. With the support of partner LandAid, StreetSmart can ensure every penny goes to delivering life-changing services for young people across the UK.
Throughout November and December, participating restaurants will add a £1 voluntary donation to diners’ bills. Every penny of these donations will be used to support local homelessness projects. New to StreetSmart this year are Root and Pasta Loco, with a full list of participating restaurants below:
Bertha’s
Bokman
Bosco
Box E
Bulrush
Caper & Cure
Fishers
Harbour House
Harvey Nichols
Klosterhaus
Little Hollows
Marmo
Pasta Loco
Pizzarova
Poco
Rocksalt
Root
Snobby’s
Wilsons
Pasta Loco’s owner, Dominic Borel says, “Working with Streetsmart gives us an opportunity to make a difference to those that really need it. Ben and myself got involved with this great movement over 5 years ago with Pasta Loco and although there is still plenty to do, we feel we helped the situation. We are looking forward to helping once more plus help shine light on a very serious situation here in the UK and work towards a solution.”
Jan Ostle, owner of Wilsons, agrees. “We witness the problems associated with homelessness daily, right on our doorstep in Bristol, so we are pleased to support the incredible work that StreetSmart does to combat it.”
According to new government figures, 6,400 households across England were at risk of ‘no fault’ evictions between January and March 2022. This number is 25 per cent higher than in the same period before the pandemic in 2020 and could increase further still as the cost of living crisis bites this winter.
Pam Lloyd of PamLloyd PR, who has worked with StreetSmart for ten years in Bristol, is always looking for new partners to come on board and unite to help tackle homelessness. She says, “With zero cost and no effect on VAT returns, it really couldn’t be easier for restaurants to join StreetSmart and help the lives of homeless people in the UK. There is still time to sign-up and make a big difference with a small change. Please do get in touch with me if you’d like to join in.”
Last year the funds raised by StreetSmart were donated to the charity 1625 Independent People in Bristol. The charity works with up to 500 young people in the Bristol area at a time to prevent homelessness, keep them safe and support them in taking the next steps in their life. Katy Greenlaw, the charity’s communications and community fundraising manager explains “we heavily rely on the local community for support, and we want our young people to thrive and to get to a point where they need less and less support as they go on. Knowing that your local restaurant is doing something to support you really helps with young people’s identity, knowing they’re being supported by the community around them.”
StreetSmart starts this week on the 1st November and runs till the end of December, supporting charities and projects across the UK tackling homelessness. Learn more on their website.