#thirstwaterproject

The Thirst Water Project was introduced as a result of the sizzling hot summer heatwaves we have been experiencing in the UK and the effect on homeless friends and rough sleepers on the streets. I’ve always known that the need for people on the streets water is as important as food and nutrition. With hep from@eastendcycles and The Docklands Community Initiative Bookbike London shares hundreds of bottles of water. Jamie is on strict orders to regularly hydrate so he does love a bottle of water with his two weekly books. Next time you see someone outside a supermarket you could always buy water with fruit IR a sandwich - It’s always better than giving money. #thirstwaterproject #docklandscommunityinitiative #eastendcycles #thewanderinglondoner #homeless #homelesspeople #homelessshelter #homelessawareness #homelesspeople #cyclediary #cyclediaries #cyclingselfie #cycleselfie #hackneylife #cycliste #cyclistes #cyclegang #bicycleday #cyclinglifestyle #cyclestyle (at Bethnal Green) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClREuMANPC9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My column in the The Barking and Dagenham Post highlights an issue we don’t always think about. The Thirst Water Project kicked off at East End Cycles during the summer heatwave to highlight how difficult it is for #homeless friends to stay hydrated during extreme heat periods. With help from Humdum, #docklandscommunityinitiative Lynn and Khursheed the project was able to shed light on this important issue whilst sharing hundreds of bottles of water. Following on from this, Bookbike London as a social enterprise project was used to share water bottles in and around Barking Town Centre and Canary Wharf, to highlight the effects of dehydration and thirst during the sizzling heatwave. Whilst volunteering I learnt that water for those on the streets is a problem all year round, especially at night. As a result the project will continue throughout the winter. #thirstwaterproject #bookbikelondon #eastendcycles #humdumuk #docklandscommunityinitiative (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjqKCCQoq4D/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Pleased to make friends with Michael today. The cost of living crisis has caused an increase in the number of people sleeping rough in London. Figures released by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) shows that between April and June 2022 almost 3,000 people were observed sleeping rough in the capital. Around half of those rough sleepers were doing so for the first time. St Mungo’s said the new statistics were “concerning but not surprising”. On the road with #docklandscommunityinitiative and @eastendcycles with water, snacks and books of course. A good read is always a welcome gift. #thirstwaterproject #eastendcycles #bookbikelondon #bookbiker #thewanderinglondoner #homelesss #homelesslondon #humansoflondon #homelessoutreach #cycleoutreach #roughsleeper #foodpoverty #endpoverty #cycliste#cyclediary #cycleselfie #cycletouring #cycledope #bicycling #cyclelondon #hackneylife #hackneycycles (at Hackney) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cicrj2zoDN-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The Thirst Water Project is a subsidiary project of Bookbike London and relies wholly on support from family and friends. I now have a supply of water from @nigbhola and @humdumuk to share with a food parcel and book. During this blistering hot summer I have seen many #homeless friends and rough sleepers affected badly because of dehydration. Lack of water has affected many mentally and physically. Because we take it for granted we often overlook this. Some people go as far as to say that they don’t believe that people can suffer from thirst or a lack of fresh drinking water in a city like London. You’d be surprised! There are plenty reasons why this is the case. In fact a lot of patrons have been happier to receive a bottle of water rather than a food parcel. With global warming contributing to blazing hot weather I’m going to launch a hand fan appeal for next year which I’ll be sharing through Bookbike London. #humdumuk #foodbank #thirstwaterproject #bookonabike #bookbikelondon #foodbanking #foodpoverty #thirstisreal #thirstproject #homelessoutreach (at Humdum UK) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChSwfmMoxGr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A book does break a long and hot day up. I had finished Bookbike London shift and heading home when Wendy popped over and asked for a bottle of water. Luckily I was able to quickly go home and return with a couple. Water is a luxury for #homeless friends and rough sleepers. This year with the generosity of friends the Thirst Water Project has been busy raising awareness throughout the summer heatwave. A good deed would be to offer a bottle or two of water to someone on the streets - Chances are you’ll be helping prevent dehydration, severe headaches and headaches even loss of consciousness. I am accepting water for sharing too. #thewanderinglondoner #thirstwaterproject #bookbikelondon #heatwave #hotweatger #heatwaveuk #homelesspeople #homelessness #homelesslivesmatter #homelessoutreach #bookonabike (at Barking, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChSM8kIIA3i/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Soaring energy bills, rising rent, and expensive basic food prices are leading to a rise in people suffering with mental health. Even Iceland are offering pensioners. A shout out to community hubs run by volunteers, who do much on paltry resources to support communities facing hardship. Well done to volunteers and children at Ekota Academy on supporting Bookbike London with food and water for #homeless friends and rough sleepers. #ekotaacademy #thewanderinglondoner #thirstwaterproject #bookbikelondon (at Goodmayes Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFt82-ol4L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The coaching ethos at @ekotaacademy is based upon the principle that the community comes first. We work with everybody and promote tolerance, unity and justice for one and all. We also take our community responsibilities very seriously and this is something all coaches are expected fk adhere to. We appreciate we are fortunate and blessed, whilst others may be facing hardships as tests. Today the team decided to provide food for #homeless friends and water and fruit via the #thirstwaterproject Rough sleeping figures in London have jumped by 16 percent in the last quarter compared with the same time last year, statistics released today show. The Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) stats also highlight that three quarters of those living on the streets have additional needs such as addictions and mental health problems. Between April and June 2022, outreach teams recorded 2998 individuals sleeping rough in the capital. Salvation Army Asst Director of the Homeless Services Unit, Major Hilarie Watchorn, said: “We should treat these figures as a warning. Not only is it a sign that the government is drifting further from its commitment to end rough sleeping, but this could point towards a deeper homelessness crisis as the cost of living bites. “However, the Government has made a considerable investment into homelessness services and this welcome extra support can help turn things around if increased funding of addiction and mental health support services are prioritised as part of funding planning. “Given the severity of this jump in rough sleeping, we are asking all the parties to outline how they plan to end rough sleeping including the two Conservative Leadership contenders, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss. #ekotaacademy #thewanderinglondoner #homeless #homelessness #foodpoverty #homelessoutreach #cricketcoaches #sportsagainsthomelessness #cricketagainsthomelessness #roughsleepwrs #endpoverty #foodforhomeless #summerholidaysoupkitchen #soupkitchen homelesslivesmatter #helpingothers #homelessnessawareness #homelesspeople #londonbomeless #streetliving #endhomelessness #givebackmore humanity #mentalhealth #soupkitchen♨️ #foodlove l (at Goodmayes Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgwdOdAofAh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A cycle is the best way to carry out #homeless outreach. There’s no parking issues and you get right into the core. I caught up with Ricky today, who I haven’t seen since lockdown. He’s still roughing it and has found himself a ‘secret luxury apartment’ in a supermarket carpark. I’m not going to name it in case he’s swiftly ejected. Ricky’s struggling with life. Last night he was mugged of all his money by what he believes is an organised gang who specifically target the vulnerable homeless for money and goods. There was upheaval near where he sleeps and he couldn’t get in for fear of giving away his location. “I haven’t slept a wink all night Emz,” he said. “The shits are making a killing by collecting a fortune off people on the streets. Most don’t even realise they’ve been robbed, and others are threatened with knives and beatings.” There’s hardly any police around for help and even if there were Ricky believes no one cares for rough sleepers - They are seen as a nuisance. When I told him about the Thirst Water Project he became quite excited, “Water, especially at night is hot property. “Lots of homeless people mug each other by stealing and forcefully taking drinking water bottles.” Most of the rough sleepers either fill up earlier or make do with water bottles off the streets. Fridays and Saturdays are good nights for picking up discarded half full water bottles. #homeless #bookbikelondon #thirstwaterproject #homelessness #foodpoverty #roughsleeper #homelesslondon #humansoflondon #ekotaacademy #homelesspeople #homelesslivesmatter #homelessoutreach #wateroutreach #homelessawareness #homelessveterans #homelessnessprevention #homelessnesssucks #homelessnessawarenessmonth (at Barking, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CghJhucoX6w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=