For the past couple years weve been helping the homeless with our rucksack project.

It started 2 years ago when all of a sudden we noticed a flood people onto the street, one thing that struck was how normal and compationate these people were to begin with but how they sadly slowly deteriorated in mental health before eventually turning to alcohol.

After talking to them it became apparent that there are many hidden difficultys of being on the street. For example, buying a rucksack. In order to go to the shop they have to leave their belongings, and risk loosing everything; theres nowhere safe to leave them. Also, high street prices for these types of things are so much more expensive than online. a bag is usually £60/70 in shop. We can pick them up for around £20

We‘ve been building complete rucksacks for £50 a bag and including underwear, socks, hats, gloves, a sleeping mat, plasters, deodrant, toothbrush and toothpaste, wetwipes and toothpaste!

Last year we raised enough money for 10 rucksacks and teamed up with the Manna daycare centre in London bridge. By giving the Rucksacks out at the day centre, we can send anyone we see struggling on the streets, to them. This encourages them to connect with services. These guys are also pros and always make sure our rucksacks are given out to those that need them the most.

Here are some pictures of last years project:

Over the summer we‘ve been busy planning and getting feedback on our rucksacks. We‘ve spoken to lots of homeless people and suppliers and were really excited for this years improved packs.

This year well be teaming up with North coast wetsuits to get hold of some 50l robust waterproof bags, we’ve also found some lighter, warmer bags. Well be ditching the heavy hot water bottles and adding a waterproof washbag as well as adding waterproof bivvys . A rucksack makes a homeless person portable and able to access services and stops them going down the stationary drunk root. A bivy and waterproof bag mean our homeless people can sleep in a park or somewhere safer and quieter. Connecting them to the Manna centre gives them access to food, free computers and showers to give them the best chance we can at getting them off the street!

Heres a sneaky preview of some of the things we‘ve got planned for our next bags: