As part of our United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) commitment to respect human rights, Article 13 supports the Poverty and Homeless Action Week (PHAW) 2009, which runs from the 31 January to 8 February 2009. This year, Article 13 contributed to PHAW through volunteering a member of staff to St Paul’s homeless drop-in shelter in Kensington, which ran between the hours of 12pm and 4pm on the 28th of January 2009.

The volunteer dealt with the diverse needs of over 70 clients. There
were about 18 volunteers to offer a range of services, which included a
wide range of activities, such as:

• Preparing/ serving tea, coffee and nutritious meals for the service users. 

• Cleaning the kitchen and general eating area.

• Offering a vital source of support for the staff and those who use St Paul’s shelter.

• Listening to, sharing stories and building relationships with
  customers that have a diversity of skills, experiences and emotions.

• Working with customers in the designated art and music areas.

• Making the atmosphere fun, informal, safe, comfortable and an inviting place for vulnerable homeless people to spend time.

• Supporting customers through being there for them.
  

Article 13 wanted to add value to their in-house participation goals,
build interest for volunteering amongst staff and help meet the needs
of the homeless and disadvantaged at the grassroots level. This
participative action will be a part of our yearly commitment to the
homeless.

Daniel Francis, research assistant for Article 13, said: “Participating
at St Paul’s homeless drop-in shelter was really rewarding, through
offering a valuable service to a wide variety of people and listening
to amazing heart filled real life stories. It was a really humbling
experience!”

For more information please contact Fiona Banyard on fionab@article13.com or call 020 8840 4450. Please also see Article 13’s website www.article13.com

Want to pledge your love to something that really deserves it this valentine’s day? Then take the Copenhagen pledge and show the planet you really care.

Rhian Beynon, campaigns manager for Christian Aid, says: ‘2009 is a crucial year for making real progress on climate change. World leaders will meet in Copenhagen at the end of this year to negotiate an international climate change deal. 

‘We are calling for industrialised countries to pledge to reduce their CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. Without this commitment it’s impossible to keep the global temperature rise below 2˚C and prevent climate catastrophe. As a result, 30 million more people could go hungry, 18 per cent of Bangladesh will be underwater and up to 3 billion people could face acute water shortages.’

Taking the Copenhagen pledge includes a commitment to:

• Reducing your personal carbon footprint through recycling, reusing and reducing consumption
• Writing to the Prime Minister and speaking to your local MP to let them know you expect the UK Government and other world leaders like Obama to work for a new international climate change agreement that is fair to poorer countries
• Encouraging friends and family to sign up to the pledge

Take the pledge > > >

For more information contact Emma Wigley ewigley@christian-aid.org or call 020 7523 2452