Simon on the Streets

Freezing last night, wasn’t it? Would you want to sleep outside? If you can, take a moment to think about the hundreds of men and women in Yorkshire who had to. These people are the reason why we’ve decided not to give Christmas presents to our clients this year, but instead work with Yorkshire-based charity Simon on the Streets to develop a new way of helping the homeless…

The ambient campaign we’ve created uses QR codes printed onto cardboard and then situated amongst blankets and belongings, to look like a homeless person has been sleeping there. These installations are situated around Leeds city centre.

Once scanned by a QR code reader, these QR codes link to a JustGiving page where the public can donate directly to Simon on the Streets: a homeless charity that supports men and women who are sleeping rough in Yorkshire.

This new way of giving is instant and above all safe: ensuring anyone sleeping on the streets gets the food, shelter and support they need. This is preferable to donating directly to a homeless person because, as Propaganda discovered from working with Simon on the Streets, these cash gifts often contribute to a much wider drug or alcohol-related problem.

Simon on the Streets offer emotional and practical support to Yorkshire’s homeless and rootless community. They spend over 900 hours every year engaging with those in need and this festive season they’ll spend hundreds more – providing everything from counseling to much-needed hot meals.

The installations are now live around Leeds city centre at Leeds City Bus Station, The Elbow Room, Distrikt, Leeds Parish Church and the Victoria Quarter.

You can also donate at www.justgiving.com/PropagandaSimonontheStreets.

As it’s a cause that’s close to our hearts, Propaganda will be donating £1,000 to the charity.