The recently installed Chester in Lego display in the new Chester Market has joined a contactless donation scheme which aims to put an end to homelessness in Chester.
A payment terminal has been set up next to the new Cabinets housing the display which was previously on show in the old market from 2014- 2022. During this time visitors to the Lego raised several thousand pounds for local charities including SPACE, The Samaritans and Chester Women’s Aid. Now market visitors can make a donation which will be distributed between Chester charities; Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH), Share and Soul Kitchen. The new Lego display cabinets are located opposite Market Cafe and Crustum.
Market traders Crustum who moved over from the older market are part of the new display
New additions to the Lego display include a depiction of the Roman amphitheatre alongside other scenes from Chester;s past including the Civil War.
The ‘End Homelessness’ scheme which launched last year, with terminals at other locations in the city, is hosted by The Chester Bluecoat Charity who will ensure that 100% of the money donated will go directly to support the homeless community. Neil Davies, chair of trustees at The Chester Bluecoat Charity said: “The Chester Bluecoat Charity is delighted to be part of the End Homelessness project. The unique tap to donate system will make charitable giving easier and hopefully will raise lots of funds that will make a real difference to the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Chester.”
Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH) have supported people in crisis in Chester since their inception more than 50 years ago.
Robert Whittall, CEO of CATH said: “We’ve seen a lot of changes in the ways people want to donate throughout the history of working in the charity sector, plus a lot of changes to the financial assistance received by people in crisis. It’s our job to ensure that no matter what, people have the support, encouragement and the safety net they need to enable them to get through their crisis and go on to live meaningful, fulfilling lives.”
Robert added: The ‘End Homelessness’ tap-to-donate scheme brings Chester in line with a number of larger cities in the UK, and indeed the world, making it so much simpler for our increasingly cashless society to donate to charity and we are very pleased to be able to be a part of this revolutionary move for the city.”
Monies donated by the public will also be used by volunteer organisation Soul Kitchen to help them to continue their work to provide food and support to anyone experiencing loneliness, food poverty or homelessness in Chester.
Steve Brew, Trustee from Soul Kitchen said: “We are proud to have been chosen to be a part of this new scheme that allows the public to donate to the homeless in a proactive and positive way. Soul Kitchen plan to use funding from the scheme primarily to support the up-skilling and training of people through our weekly cookery ‘Soul in a Bowl’ sessions which have been a fantastic way for us to build relationships whilst cooking and eating together.”
The Homeless Day Centre, on City Road, founded by Share, currently provides aid such as clothing and toiletries, as well as support and signposting to services for accommodation and employment. Share intend to use the donations made by the public through the ‘End Homelessness’ scheme to help continue their work at The Homeless Day Centre.
Share founder Adam Dandy said: “Many people experiencing homelessness have complex needs which have led them to becoming homeless, including mental health problems, drug and alcohol dependencies and negative institutional experiences.
“The longer someone sleeps rough, the greater the impact this can have on their physical and mental health which will only worsen their situation. Cash donated in kind by members of the public can sometimes be used in harmful ways, so the new scheme is a very direct way to assure donors that their money is being used in a well-structured manner.”
The Chester Bluecoat Charity will agree with the charities involved how the money should be spent in relation to the work they do supporting those experiencing homelessness. Donations can be made at in the Market or directly via : Chester Aid to the Homeless, Soul Kitchen or Share.
The Chester blog 
Great to see such an easy way to donate to local causes. On a personal level, I’m sad that Chester Women’s Aid is no longer a beneficiary. I appreciate that the list of local charities is a long one, all needing help.