Calzy Care Kits – Nearly 300 handed out to date!
30% of profits of the sale of your Calzy Vision clothing enables us to provide just that little bit of self-esteem, pride and fresh start to the day to those on the streets of our cities and towns across the UK, the VISION Cal felt very strongly about!
Our #CalzyCareKits came out of talking with our friends on the streets of London as we handed out hot food on our Wednesday evening homeless outreach alongside @PintGiving charity. Clear that, along with a hot meal they wanted and needed an element of self respect. Things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and fresh wipes, new underwear and socks were requested. This led us to developing our #CalzyCareKits – for women and men.
Men asked for spray deodorants while women preferred roll-on, soft bristle toothbrushes and small tubes of toothpaste, mouth wash for those with few or no teeth and small sachets of shampoo. We have partnered with a wonderful company called ‘Fresh Wipes’ www.freshwipes.co.uk who regularly donate boxes of their plastic-free, unscented BODY wipes. We add extras depending on the season – lip balm for cold winter months and small tubes of sunscreen for summer. Many of the ladies on the street also like Panty Liners, nail files, nail clippers and hand cream. All these essentials come in a lightweight waterproof bag to help them keep everything together and to prevent leakage onto clothing or sleeping bags. We also keep money back for oyster cards for those needing to get to work, meetings or move around, tents and sleeping bags and vouchers for hot drinks from well known high street cafes so they can buy their own hot drinks when it suits them.
We’ve spent 3 years on London streets every Wednesday, seeing people regularly we have gained their trust, they’ve given us amazing feedback on our #CalzyCareKits and request follow up hygiene products going forward. Many are suffering trauma / PTSD or on the streets to get away from domestic abuse or violence and some developed addiction, so an opportunity to start their day fresh and clean helps in some small way to support their self-esteem, well-being, self-care and their mental health.
We’ve handed out nearly 300 #CalzyCareKits – including to Brighton Clock Tower Sanctuary Charity for young people 18 – 25 and an Enfield Homeless Charity ‘All People All Places’ and now we have re-located to Bristol will be building partnerships around the city.
We may not be giving them a home but we hope to give them a moment of normality, self respect and dignity!
You can support us by donating £12 per kit plus £4.99 for postage if you wish here.
Cal will be smiling 🙂
