Winter Streets Project

Winter Streets Project Story

Winter Streets Project was founded in October 2016 when it I, Lou Ballard (Founder, and Queen of talking people into donating items to WSP), was deciding on what comedy socks to purchase for a Christmas present. It was at this moment I realised money was being wasted on pointless presents all over the UK when it could be used for another greater use. At this point I was not sure what to do with the Christmas shopping money I just knew I could use it to do something worthwhile, festive and human. The next day I walked to work in the rain and passed cold and wet homeless person, after cold and wet homeless person, and this was where the lighting-bolt hit (fugitively not literally). Survival kits for people living on the streets during the winter months.

The first batch of Winter Streets Project survival kits contained a thermal hat, gloves, socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser and some chocolate. I produced 150 basic packs with a small amount of money that would bought naff Christmas presents deemed for eBay just a few hours after being received. With the help of a handful of volunteers we delivered the packs one evening after work. From this point on I realised this was a special thing to be doing and to help more people it needed to grow.

The organisation of 2017 packs began much earlier in the year, with the goal of collecting a larger range of items from clothing, toiletries, writing equipment, first aid and food. On 17th December 462 Survival kits were delivered across London, Watford, Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton and Wi******er.

The goal for 2018 is 750 Survival Kits.