Street Storage is the only charity in the UK providing free, safe and accessible storage to people experiencing homelessness. We also provide one to one advocacy and emergency support.
During one of the most difficult periods of my life, I was illegally evicted and facing uncertainty and you stepped in with kindness, understanding, and efficiency. You kept my belongings safe. I didn’t lose everything I owned.
You gave me peace of mind and dignity when I needed it most.
Activity
Churches work with us to provide storage to their local homelessness community using derelict, unused or empty spaces. They source congregational/local volunteers and receive resources, a 'how to' guide, consultancy and advice as well as comprehensive training. These replicated projects allow people to work, secure housing and reconnect with services and family and prevent the loss/damage/theft of people's possessions.
Time
The time it takes to set up varies on the space available and the volunteer support - as well as the finance and legal bits - but we can launch a project from initial contact to fully open in less than two months.
Cost
The cost of our replicated units can very but is around £2,500 for our consultancy and resources, training and manual, plus the cost of the space itself, shelving, lockers and any accrued volunteer expenses would amount to around £4,500 for the first year a- but then very little annually into the second year and beyond.
Partnership
Churches would ideally work with local outreach teams, local authority homelessness teams, local charities and foodbanks as well as housing officials and people within the homeless community themselves, their friends and their families.
Support
We provide a days comprehensive training covering purpose, set up, referrals, storage service delivery, impact reporting, challenges and FAQs. Churches will also recieve our Manual ('how to guide'), Risk Assessments, policy templates and storage agreements as well as a License Agreement to cover insurance and reputational risk and we provide advice and consultancy throughout their first year (fundraising, marketing, operations).
Resources
Church replications will need a separate, unused, lockable space to fill with shelving, lockers or boxes as well as a small desk, laptop, phone etc for referrals and admin.
People
Volunteers will be trained but experience with vulnerable groups is desirable. Someone with more experience will need to act as a lead contact/manager on the project. Hours will depend on the size of the project and need for the service but we reccommend 2 sessions a week (2-3 hours each) as a minimum to allow the community frequent access.
Replications
Street Storage has:
Replications
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