With hostels, eateries and other local businesses closed due to Covid-19, facilities and safe places for homeless people are now sparce.  Recent changes in the law means homeless people are now required to be safely housed, and Waltham Forest council has begun this process, accomodating 49 rough sleepers over recent weeks. But it is a difficult and slow process and will take many weeks to complete. Hotels are an expensive option, hostels have closed, and the police are moving on rough sleepers from the streets. Having literally nowhere else to go, many of this community are now camping in Hollow Ponds, with no access to washing, toilet or kitchen facilities.

We aim to consolidate the community into one location. “Project Parker” is a local, contained “safe village” which, once fully up and running,  can offer facilities for cleaning clothes and washing; relaxation spaces; preparation and serving of hot meals, and individual accommodation pods with plenty of space for social distancing and self-isolation. Whilst not a permanent solution by any means, it provides our homeless community with a safe and comfortable space where they can remain until a more permanent solution can be found for them by the council.

Project Parker is already accomodating several rough sleepers, but it is just in an embryonic phase. There will be a significant outlay to get the village fully up and running. We need equipment and manpower to clear the site and make it fully operational and secure. We will need to improve toilet and washing facilites. We will need food, accomodation pods and bedding. We will also need volunteers to help run the village 24/7. And we need all this fast!

Although we have never asked for donations, we are now taking the unusual step of asking the community to help. This is a challenging time for everyone, but anything you are able to donate will be channelled directly into providing the most vulnerable members of our community with a safe space to stay during this unprecedented time.

Thank you so much.