Smartphones for the Homeless; new app created to help homeless people find food and shelter
- 02 Dec
You may think the words ‘app' and ‘homeless' are rather contradictory. Though, this strange combination gives people with vulnerabilities a chance to reach out to services such as shelters and food banks through the Simon Community app (S.I.M.O.N).
For the homeless, smartphones are not necessarily used for recreational purposes; but can be a crucial source in obtaining housing, employment, contact support groups, and medical and transport services. This is a sure way to rebuild themselves after experiencing relationship breakdowns and financial difficulties which may have led them to homelessness.
A mobile phone may be the only link, or source of comfort, for a person in an exposed environment. Many of us take this quick and cheap access to the Internet for granted but one speedy search can give a lifeline to opportunities to those caught up in unexpected or dangerous situations. State budgets have also meant that community and service centres have been closed down, and limits have been put onto professionals and their available time. So, a simple app can reconnect someone who is in despair of losing all they had, and helps them to focus on getting back the professional help they need.
Social media can be used by the homeless on a daily basis, for their emotional and practical needs. With a few clicks, they can find out when and where they can have their next meal, find safe places to sleep or rest, build social support networks and services.
Homeless bloggers can provide a lot of support for those who end up in similar conditions and can reach out on Twitter using hashtags.
Social media has made this trend capable of changing thousands of lives and can change the interactions between support workers, those in need of the services and the public who walk past their local beggars every day or know of someone who may be at risk. By using online tools, homeless people can feel more comfortable seeking help out in a way that does not expose them due to fear of face-to-face meetings. This is a movement that can help the homeless community rise above their losses and re-join their local community in a simple, cheap and time-saving way.
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
This blog post has been written by our sister company The Media Bubble who specialise in social media for the social sector.
Related articles
- 11 Sep
New service to support homeless people in Birmingham
A new dedicated Homeless Street Triage car will be responding to the rising number of calls reporting homelessness, begging and anti-social drinking in the city, reports 24dash.In the last year –...
- 09 Sep
Gym in Kent hopes to improve health and fitness of homeless people
Riverside is a specialist in working with single homeless people to help them get their lives back on track and into accommodation. Their new project, a gymnasium, has been funded by the Riverside...
- 08 Sep
The cost of homelessness in Hackney doubles
Figures have shown that the cost of homelessness in 2009/10 was £3,092,255 compared to £7,167,440 in 2014/15, with a cut on staff spending from £3,239,653 to £2,608,491 reports 24dash.Hackney...
- 04 Sep
Two homelessness services to be investigated
The Scottish Housing Regulator is set to investigate every aspect of services offered by Dumfries and Galloway Council, whilst also examining how homeless people access help and support at Scottish...
- 03 Sep
Homeless project for young people under threat due to cuts
Platform for Life was expected to attract interest from numerous housing associations with its scheme to convert properties into accommodation for young people in further education, training or work,...
- 01 Sep
Charities warns Irish government of homelessness crisis
Social Justice Ireland is calling for a new funding system that will meet the demand and reveal that only 20 council homes for families have been completed within the first three months of this year,...
- 26 Aug
Newspaper office to become a centre for homeless people
The old office for the Doncaster Free Press is being transformed into flats and other facilities for people who are homeless, reports Hold the Front Page. The building is being turned into...
- 20 Aug
Cuts leaving people in Cheltenham needing homelessness support
Bosses at CCP and Cheltenham Borough Council have said the “devastating impact” of benefit cuts in the town are causing issues for many people, report the Gloucestershire Echo.Over the past few...
- 19 Aug
Concern that homelessness in Cambridge is at ‘tipping point’
Not only do figures show a rise in quarterly numbers by 24 households, they also reveal that over 350 cases were placed in temporary accommodation over the last year, which was a rise of 50 cases on...
- 11 Aug
Charities say Wales is “setting an example” for homelessness
A joint report by Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has praised Welsh laws that are trying to address the issues of homelessness, reports the BBC.However they warn that the removal of...
Responding to the DWP Consultation: Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing "It was well-run, in a good location, and very useful. I've only one suggestion; as the session went on it would perhaps have been useful for bullet points of general agreement about what should be in the sector response to be displayed and added to as the session went on, maybe on a flip chart. Regarding your response paper, I particularly like the answer you give to question 9. In fact the general: "if it ain't broke don't fix it" response could be pushed harder." M.P. - Adref Ltd
