MADAM,

On Thursday of this week, I shall be joining 250 or so others in the Sleep Out event in Cardiff in aid of Llamau, the homeless charity of which I am a trustee. We will be sleeping outdoors, in self made cardboard shelters to raise awareness of some of the issues faced by the 8,144 vulnerable people Llamau worked with in 2015-16. This is an increase of 56 per cent on last year.

Llamau recognises that for most people facing homelessness, their problems are far more complex than a lack of permanent shelter. Everyone needing support is treated as an individual, their unique strengths and needs are recognised and Llamau supports them to rebuild their lives and future.

Work with the Psychotherapy Department at Cardiff University has evidenced that some 88 per cent of our service users have some form of mental health need. Working with Llamau, 98 per cent positive outcomes were achieved last year.

Llamau consults regularly with the people supported. This is what some of them said last year: “Llamau accepts me for who I am. They help build characters and find yourself as a person who belongs on this planet.” and “Before working with the staff here, I lost all ambition for everything, (I had) no self worth. Now I can put all that behind me.”

I am raising funds for Llamau to help them continue the remarkable work they do. Please support me, either by popping in to No Eighteen next to the Savoy, or safely online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/18DavidBlair

David Blair

(No Eighteen, Monmouth)