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We remember the first time we gave an umbrella, which was to Ruth (not her real name). We went shopping for essentials knowing she was homeless.
Amongst the other items that we purchased was a hair brush and deodorant. On receiving the bag, the first thing that Ruth did was to use the deodorant and brush her hair – and her face lit up with delight as she exclaimed that there was even an umbrella for her.
It’s the little things that really can make all the difference to someone who at the time has very little.
HMP Bronzefield is a women’s prison based in Surrey. Their aim is to reduce re-offending through rehabilitation and support prison leavers on release to lead law-abiding lives in their community.
HMP Bronzefield support many charities including Just a Helping Hand (JAHH) as, unfortunately, some women are homeless when they leave prison.
We specifically support the homeless – both practically and emotionally. We provide each person with a rucksack which contain practical items such as a wash bag with new toiletries, a flask (with free refill information at local outlets), new socks, new underwear, hat, scarf and gloves, meal vouchers, and a small Bible. We provide a number of “goodies” that the person receiving the rucksack can personally enjoy. At JAHH we also stock a range of good condition pre-loved clothing, including winter coats, to support those who need them. To the people who receive these things, such unexpected generosity often brings an emotional response which can provide a real sense of being cared for and thought about. This can ease anxiety, provide hope, can help with depression and even remove thoughts of suicide.
When someone leaves HMP Bronzefield, they are advised that they are able to collect a rucksack directly from the Salvation Army (who act as an agent for JAHH) on the day they leave and start their journey back into the community.
In 2021, HMP Bronzefield donated £1,000 to JAHH which enabled us to obtain and fill a number of rucksacks ready for any person leaving HMP Bronzefield.
April 2020 .
Our logo has a chimney on the roof of a house with three hearts of smoke coming out of the chimney. “What’s burning on the fire inside the house to cause heart shaped smoke?” people have asked. We respond by saying that it symbolises what is at the heart of what we do and how we do it. It’s love, kindness, and compassion. And that’s exactly what one particular family felt when we were able to support them!
May 2020
A gentleman that we were able to helped said “How wonderful is it that people took the time to make the packs up”.
The gentleman was so grateful that a rucksack was kindly put together for him. However, as it was given through one of our rucksack distributors, we didn’t get to meet him personally. But we do know that it left a positive impact on him.
August 2023
We put a shout out for some urgently needed school uniform for a family in need for their daughter aged 12 who’s going back to school in September.
We asked the community if anyone would like to purchase items on behalf of this family, or make a financial donation.
We had two responses, which was wonderful. One person purchased school shirts and underwear and the other gave a financial donation enabling us to purchase more shirts and other items that were needed.
The family were delighted!
