What Drives Us
“Homelessness is not a housing problem, it is just part of a diverse and complex social issue exasperated by a lack of understanding, willingness to address the problem by communities and a historic lack of correct funding to tackle the roots of the problems - not just poverty but mental health, alcohol and drugs abuses, amongst others.
In the UK, our failing in society is often to just provide short-term solutions to tick boxes and not also invest in long-term remedies.”
Dear Visitor,
If you are visiting this website it is perhaps because you think there is a way you can help us tackle homelessness, as well as the destitute and vulnerably housed in and around Canterbury who have nowhere else to turn.
I believe we all have a responsibility to our community to tackle these problems. Myself, my team, our supporting partners and a small army of volunteers are dedicated to end the harm and damage caused to individuals and communities through homelessness, rough sleeping and insecure housing in our local area.
We have all seen homeless and destitute people on our streets, particularly in Canterbury. Some of us stop to think, perhaps help, whilst many put our eyes down and walk on. We choose to help tackle this problem and build a better future. Whilst many choose this way of life, and for many reasons, there are others who have fallen through the cracks in society, systems and charities set up to address these problems. It is these who need our help most in Canterbury and many have problems we can immediately help them address to break the cycle.
Success...
The following pages will give you a succinct overview of our successes however over the last six months alone Catching Lives has helped house nineteen individuals into secure accommodation - improving their future and perhaps saving their lives.
Independent...
Being an independent charity we are not bound by bureacracy or heavy overheads. All the money we raise is put to good use and directly helps those in need by funding services and maintaining our Open Centre by Canterbury East station.
Without a need to adhere to often hindering Government red tape and extra costs, Catching Lives is able to show what can only be described as charitable entrepreneurship. We are able to engage freely with both the public and private sector, add new services - like our dentist and GP service - and meet the very real human needs we see.
How You Can Help...
Catching Lives is a self funded charity and looks to partners, sponsors, public donations and volunteers to continue the charity’s work and success.
Whether you, your company or your organisation would like to contribute to our fundraising effort we thank you and ask you contact our fundraising team (fundraising@catchinglives.com) or marketing partner, Think Agency, in Canterbury - cl@thinkmg.com / 01227 808040.
For companies, our marketing team are on hand to help you gain the most out of your support and we encourage you to meet with them and visit our Outpost Centre in Canterbury to see for yourself the valuable work we are doing.
All the best
Ewan (General Manager - Catching Lives)