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STARTING OUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting Out is a new partnership project that will help homeless people move into permanent accommodation and participate in supported volunteering activity.

Starting Out is one of four Cornish projects that has been selected to take part in People's Millions, a program run by the Big Lottery and ITV which awards up to £50,000 to selected projects based on a public phone vote.

Starting Out will go head to head against an arts project in Plymouth on 26th November.  The voting number will be available and voting lines open from 9am.

About Starting Out

A common barrier preventing displaced families moving into vacant but unfurnished, permanent accommodation is not having access to essential furniture and appliances.  The cost of buying furniture to furnish a home was estimated, in 2005, by the Halifax Estate Agents to be £3,751 for 'essentials', £2,277 for 'nice to haves' and £2,165 for 'total luxuries'. Just buying the essentials is impossible for a household whose income just covers rent, food & bills.

Read more about the project

Homelessness in Cornwall

Homelessness in Cornwall is often not visible yet there are about 1,500 cases of homelessness every year.  Homelessness effects the young and old, children, families and incorporates those sleeping in cars, on friends’ floors or sofas and those living in temporary accommodation such as hostels, refuges and B&Bs. 

In the last 3 months homelessness has risen in the county  by 72% and with the South West recognising the biggest increase in home repossessions, at almost double the national average, this figure is set to rise.

Read our case studies

How Can I Help?

We need you to vote for Starting Out on the 26th November so put the date in your diary or sign up for a vote reminder by clicking on the orang button at the top of this page. 

There are also ways that you can help Starting Out now:

Find out how I can help Starting Out

Latest News

12/11/08 - Starting Out press statement in response to Cornwall and Devon Media story: Little Sign of Charity as Recycling Rival Storms into TV Film Shoot

10/11/08 - Protest Highlights Plight of Cornwall's Homeless

29/10/08 - Reuse Centres Need Help to Support Homeless

Read the latest news stories on Starting Out

The Starting Out Partnership

Bodmin based reuse centre RE:SOURCE are working on Starting Out with GOFA and SOFA West Cornwall who have been providing furniture for the homeless and low income families within Cornwall for nearly twenty years. 

To find out more about the reuse centres, visit their websites:

    

 

www.myresource.org.uk

 

 

 

www.sofawestcornwall.org.uk

 

 

 

www.gofa.org.uk