The mayor's chosen charity have launched the community-driven initiative in an effort to prevent homelessness across Aylesbury Vale.
Five to Thrive invites local residents, businesses, faith groups and community organisations to give a small, regular donation — starting from just £5 — to help sustain the essential services people rely on every day. Such services include Aylesbury Homeless Action Group's (AHAG) helpline, drop-in sessions, specialist accommodation support, legal advice, and financial inclusion work delivered in partnership with The Trussell Trust.
AHAG's CEO, James Boultbee explains that: “Homelessness is preventable but it takes consistency. Five to Thrive is built on a simple idea: small, steady actions from many people create lasting change. Regular gifts give us the stability to plan ahead, respond quickly, and be there the moment someone needs us.”
He added: “When the Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Sherrilyn Bateman, chose AHAG as her Charity of the Year, we knew we had to set an ambitious challenge, one that would raise awareness of AHAG across the town and help build the strong financial foundation we need to continue to provide support for increasing numbers of people in our community.”
The Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Sherrilyn Bateman, said: “I have seen firsthand the incredible, valuable and respectful work carried out by the team at AHAG. It is my privilege to shine a light on their work during my mayoral year, and I have taken on the enormous challenge of encouraging 555 people to commit to a regular £5 donation so AHAG can continue helping the evergrowing number of individuals who desperately need support.”
“Five to Thrive gives everyone — individuals, families, businesses — a way to be part of that commitment. £5 won’t change your life. But it will help change someone else’s.”
AHAG is encouraging the community to get involved and help build a stronger, more secure future for local people at risk of homelessness. For more information or to join Five to Thrive, click here (external link).
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