Clothing collections are open again at this weekend’s game, money donations are being accepted right now, and we speak today to one of the Chelsea fans very much involved…
‘Potentially, any of us are three steps away from homelessness ourselves,’ is the powerful thought shared by Mark Meehan, chair of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, as we discuss the ongoing Wrap Up Warm campaign and a big push to add to clothing and financial donations as the home game against Brentford approaches.
‘It can happen in terms of a life event that can have a negative impact on us,’ he adds, ‘that either we lose our job, or we lose a loved one, or something goes wrong with our life, and that we end up losing our home. So it's really sudden.’
And it’s really worth talking about - especially with collections in place for Chelsea fans to help those who find themselves in that hugely regrettable situation to have a more comfortable winter, and receive support into the future as well.
Nights out
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) is working with Chelsea Football Club and Chelsea Foundation to boost donations given this year to charities tackling homelessness and its root causes. For the CST, this winter campaign has grown naturally out of an annual Big Sleep Out at Stamford Bridge.
Mark, who is also a member of Chelsea Football Club’s Fan Advisory Board, takes up the story.
‘I got into a conversation with the then chair of the Supporters’ Trust, Cliff Auger, a few years ago, talking about possible community initiatives and one of the things I suggested was having a sleep out.
‘I always thought football clubs are very powerful organisations and can be a real source of good in the community and I’d seen how other football clubs had done initiatives around opening up their doors to homeless people in the times of cold weather or hosting a sleep out.
‘So we approached the club, the club said yes, so we have run the Stamford Bridge Big Sleep Out for five years and even during Covid when people slept out at home.
‘We have raised over £100,000 and we are delighted we are running that again next year; the club has confirmed a date during the international break in March.’
One of the charities benefitting from money raised by those taking part in the Big Sleep Out earlier this year, by spending a night outside within the stadium, was Barons Court Project. It is the only day centre in Hammersmith and Fulham supporting people experiencing homelessness and we spoke to them last month about their involvement in this year’s new, wider Wrap Up Warm initiative.
‘It's a subject very close to my heart,’ says Mark whose past field of work involved liaising with councils and governments on homelessness. He highlights established clothing donation schemes by London boroughs and the Mayor of London, and now Chelsea has one of our own.
‘I'm overwhelmed and delighted with how the Chelsea Foundation responded,’ he says. ‘They've really gone with it big time. The video they have made with Cole Palmer is fantastic. Thank you to the Foundation for really believing in the idea and taking it forward.’
At the past few home games, inside the security check at Stamford Gate, the Chelsea Foundation’s drop-off point for clothing donations has been in place. The CST collected outside the Stoll Building on Fulham Road before the match against Aston Villa, but the biggest appeal for more items at both collection points comes on Sunday when the Blues play Brentford. That runs hand in hand with a gofundme link for money to be given, the importance of which we will spotlight soon.
But first the clothes…
‘The message to supporters is please come along, bring hats, coats, scarves, warm clothing that is in good condition, that a homeless person can make use of,’ lists Mark. ‘I've been down at Barons Court when the donations have been delivered and what we've seen so far, especially what's coming from the club, is incredible. Those coats used on the training ground are really warm coats.
‘You think it is just the thicker stuff needed but the first donation that arrived included goalkeeper tops and Barons Court said that's perfect because they’re like a vest. Coats are great, jumpers are great, but the undergarments and the layers will also keep people warm this winter.
‘The campaign has captured people's imagination. I'm not the biggest fan of half-and-half scarves myself but I understand why people buy them, and one of the sellers said he can’t sell them at the next game so he normally throws them away so could the homeless project use them. Barons Court said it's a scarf, it keeps people warm, so they are now getting regular donations of half-and-half scarves.’
While it may not reach the stage of someone mischievously and secretly donating a sibling’s Arsenal or Spurs shirt, the appeal has reached some of our rivals.
‘A QPR fan I know got in touch,’ reveals Mark, ‘and said because he lives in the borough, would we have any trouble with him popping down and bringing his old QPR stuff. Providing it is something that can keep a homeless person warm, if it's got QPR written on it or not doesn't matter if it's keeping someone warm.
‘One of the difficulties, especially at this time of year, is if people are sleeping on the street, they can go through clothing very quickly. So fresh clothing is really, really important.’
Putting stepping stones in place
As is the longer-term endeavour to counter root causes of homelessness throughout the year which is supported by any money people are able to give to the cause. It is a very good way for anyone not coming to the Brentford match who wants to contribute to take part.
‘As the Barons Court project will tell you, small amounts of money can also make a real difference,’ emphasises Mark. ‘Ten pounds would get someone a hot meal and a shower. If someone donated 25 pounds, that could get one-to-one support sessions to help someone applying for housing or training and employment schemes. The more donated, the more sessions you can have, the more benefit to the individual to help them get back on their feet.’
Chelsea Football Club will be making a donation from the proceeds from our festive retail range, and our men’s and women’s teams will be making donations too, as will the Chelsea Supporters' Trust. Fans can do so here…
‘The small things a day centre can do, whether it is the hot meal they provide, the shower, the haircut, seeing a dentist, nails cut - those small things for some people are a sort of stepping stone to getting their life back on track,’ Mark explains. ‘Sometimes it starts with that first conversation.’
Guan Chow, who features in both the Wrap Up Warm video and the previous interview in this series, is a real-life example having progressed from being homeless to volunteering at Barons Court and running an artwork-based social enterprise.
‘Guan is just amazing and he's now put his life on track’ says Mark. ‘He now volunteers at Barons Court and he runs art classes twice a week for homeless people so I always make a point when I go there to pop up and see the artwork. Some of the pictures they're doing are absolutely amazing and they’ve been designing Christmas cards and selling them at the Ideal Home Exhibition to raise money.
‘People who are homeless retain their skills and enhancing them might lead them to a better way of life.’
While Chelsea’s west London neighbourhood has plenty of affluence and some of the most expensive housing in the country, poverty exists cheek by jowl. Mark reports that a recent count by Hammersmith and Fulham spotted an increasing number of people sleeping rough and the trend in Kensington and Chelsea is the same. Hitting all communities at all levels is how he describes the problem and the wish for Chelsea FC to be beneficial to the community and good neighbours is at the heart of the campaign.
Should donations exceed demand in the immediate local area then there will be no difficulty in spreading them further and wider to where else they can have a beneficial effect.
‘Sadly, we are now at record levels for rough sleeping and record levels of homeless,’ says Mark, ‘and as one of the richest cities in the world, I think that is a tragedy in itself.
‘So anything small that we can do as a football club, as a foundation, as a supporters’ trust and as a group of Chelsea supporters, for me is a source for good.
‘It's going to be quite fascinating walking around the streets of Hammersmith and Fulham and seeing how many people are wearing donated Chelsea clothing. If it serves to keep people warm and also helps the good name of Chelsea Football Club then all the better.’
Below is the location of the CST collection point which will be open between 5pm and 6.30pm ahead of Sunday's game. The Chelsea Foundation collection point inside Stamford Gate will be open from 4.30pm until kick-off...