(Image credit: yes, but look how far we have come said the horse – Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse). 

If you would like to help we recommend you contact one of the local charities already supporting people in the town centre. Their contact details and examples the support they give can be found by clicking here. If you would like to host a contactless donation point, please contact us.

Meaningful Change

Delivered by BID Leamington

Meaningful Change is a multi-agency campaign aimed at helping to positively change the lives of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Royal Leamington Spa.

BID Leamington developed Meaningful Change with funding from the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner and with input from Warwick and Stratford District Councils, Warwickshire Police and numerous local Leamington charities that support vulnerable people (i.e. Helping Hands, Salvation Army, P3).

In Leamington there are a range of charities working to support vulnerable people in our community in different ways. This ranges from supporting people with day-to-day needs, to providing long term support enabling them to make a lasting and meaningful change.

Meaningful Change comprises of a website and a number of contactless donation points around the town centre, enabling a trusted source of information and giving. Funds are distributed back to our local charities via grants to support gaps in services. You can read more about this by clicking here.

Day-to-day administration of Meaningful Change is managed by BID Leamington and Warwick District Council. Meaningful Change is also supported by the Heart of England Community Foundation (Charity No 1117345).

The feedback has been overwhelmingly good – both locally and further afield.

“I have been meaning to say for a long time a big “Thank You” for organising Meaningful Change and implementing it.  I am lost in admiration.  Making card donations so easy is great”

Highlights of this project include:

  • Over £10,000 has been collected since we launched – and many grants has been made.
  • A Warwick District Council officer (Jon Barnett) has been assigned to help manage this project. He also helps to administer the Warwick Retail Crime Initiative (WRCI) here in Leamington. This is a much needed and very welcome new resource.
  • Further financial resources have been provided by WDC and the Town Council (£2000) to create more contactless giving points. Using this funding we now have 4 x window devices and 2 x podiums, so we are working on securing locations.
  • A7 information cards which have been distributed locally and A0 and A1 posters are in the car parks.
  • There has been strong media support – including numerous interviews on BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire as part of a national homelessness focus.
  • The project has been replicated in Stratford Upon Avon, with local distinctions and some shared resources.

To learn more about this project and how to help vulnerable people in Leamington please visit: www.meaningfulchange.org.uk/leamington/