As many of you know and those who don't, I have hated homelessness for a long time. We live in the 6th richest country in the world yet hundreds of thousands of people are still homeless. I have alcohol and mental health issues and had it not been for my caring parents and friends I would either be dead or homeless by now. So as hard as it will be I am giving up alcohol for 1 month to raise money for the Pilion Trust Crash Pad. (Read more below). I am on my 3rd day so far and really struggling but I know I can do it for me and for a good cause.

If you know me you know how much I drink. For those who don't I drink daily, normally k cider or vodka. In one day I can drink 5 k ciders and a bottle of vodka. Recently I was arrested after a drunken manic episode where I thought it was a good idea to scare people who were not acknowledging rough sleepers. This was a wake up call. I will be doing a diary of the month to show how hard it is. Please  read it to get an idea of what it is like for me to struggle daily without alcohol.

Please give £20 if you can, roughly the cost of a round. If you want to save that, go to the pub and get 1 round of water which is free and donate the cost of the round to the campaign. However £1 or anything would be gratefully received

Read below for details on Crash Pad work. As a brief overview they sheltered 112 young people last year and by end of service 100 were rehoused the rest were put into other services.

The Crash Pad is a winter shelter run by a charity called The Pilion Trust. It is open from 5th December to the 2nd of May and supports homeless young people in crisis and at risk providing a friendly family orientated place that they can rest and feel safe. During their stay at the shelter, the young people are given a bed with clean bedding, towels, dinner and breakfast, access to hot water and bathroom facilities, somewhere to wash and dry their clothes and someone to listen to them and support them throughout their stay. 

As well as providing a safe shelter, the staff at the Crash Pad support the young people with:

Finding accommodation and tenancy rights
Education, employment and Training
Life skills 
Benefits and Budgeting
 Mental and physical health 
Their self esteem
Workshops including music, writing, art and cookery classes
Most of the young people accessing the shelter had emotional and psychological needs. They were not just asking for housing. Their complex needs included:

Self Harming
Attempted suicides
Eating Disorders
Violence by partners
Abuse in the home
Issues with Sexuality and Gender
Addictions
Trauma and Torture
Parental neglect and violence
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Cultural issues

Young people who access the shelter, are found support, housing, family connections and more. 

This support is continued after the shelter closes for the summer until the young person feels equipped to move on and flourish.

We also provide Summer workshops for young people regardless of whether they were able to access The Crash Pad shelter.



PLEASE HELP THE PILION TRUST TO CONTINUE THEIR AMAZING WORK....THANK YOU

Charity Number: 1122628

https://www.facebook.com/pg/thecrashpadpilion