53 - Rachel Tucker, Swindon Footprints, walking with the homeless

Rachel Tucker is the founder of Swindon Footprints – walking amongst the homeless.
 
This not for profit charitable company is helping the homeless in and around the Swindon area.

​The main focus is to relieve poverty and to protect the health and mental wellbeing of homeless people by means of inclusion.
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​They also work with those who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Rachel founded the charity back in 2017. She had already been doing a lot to try and help the homeless as one of her own children is homeless due to addiction. Tired of feeling helpless she set up a social media group and asked people to join from her local community that were interested. The call was heard and spiralled into thousands of members on the social media pages and lots of generous volunteers venturing out with her nightly.  Rachel says ‘I want to be the eyes of the homeless and to speak on their behalf, I want to end the stigma of being homeless.’
 
As well as providing food and clothes to those living on the streets, the new charity also runs a second project called Tent, Home and Beyond, which helps people find accommodation and employment and/or helps with access to education.
 
Swindon Footprints became a registered charitable company back in April of this year. They have a mascot called Amico Bear who helps educate children and the community about homelessness and a team of volunteers who take part in fundraising activities. They have given out thousands of hot meals and lots of clothes to the homeless but need more help through volunteers and donations.
 
Rachel has been awarded an international Lift Effects Global Women STAR 100 Award for her contribution to the community. 

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The BeGlad Movement is aiming to collect 100 stories of good coming out of bad and reasons to be glad by the end of 2018 to help support each other with our experiences and to raise money for the Samaritans and Action for Happiness. If you would like to donate it would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you!

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/beglad