Kelly gives hope to the homeless

Kelly License (33) of Kimberworth Park, has been handing out donations to people sleeping rough in Sheffield since December.

The mother-of-one also started a campaign for Sheffield City Council to open up a disused building where homeless people could sleep, which attracted more than 55,000 signatures — but the council said this was already being done.

Kelly said last year she had to reduce her hours as a support worker with Autism UK in Treeton due to ill health and found it hard to pay her household bills.

“I was struggling to cope on my own and wasn’t making enough money, so myself and my son (14) went back to live with my mum,” said Kelly.

“But if I didn’t have my mum I could have ended up on the streets.”

This inspired Kelly to look into helping the homeless and the cash she saved living with her mum, she used to buy donations.

“I walked round Rotherham and couldn’t see any homeless people, so I went to Sheffield and I was gobsmacked at how many were outside shops.”

Kelly was joined by friends Matthew McKenny, Nicola Longden and mother and daughter Clair and Ellie Pepper, as she walked the city’s streets to hand out donations.

Initially, they gave food and drinks, but Kelly said she realised more goods like toiletries were needed.

The support worker said she was spending around £30-a-week on food and received 15 discounted tents from Aldi for £7.50 instead of £20.

Kelly then set up a Facebook group called H.O.P.E (Hold On Pain Ends) to ask for clothing donations which had a huge response.

The single mum said she and her team now supported 39 homeless people in the city.

Kelly said: “Quite a lot of people I come across are just glad I’ve stopped to talk to them and many say the streets are a lonely place, where they feel like a ghost as everyone walks past them.

“One night I went home in tears after meeting a young lad who would sleep in a biffa bin at night because he was so scared of being on the streets.

“The experiences he told me were absolutely heartbreaking.

“I also met a guy who was disabled and in a wheelchair.

“One week we were out doing our drop offs and he was so distressed when we got to him because someone had taken him out of his wheelchair and sat him on floor and stolen his wheelchair.”

This prompted Kelly to begin the petition.

Zoe Young, service manager for housing options and advice for Sheffield City Council, said: “We have met Kelly and have introduced her to the voluntary organisations who work in this area.

“We will also be going out with her at night to see the people she supports.”

The council said its last report to Government showed there were 11 rough sleepers in Sheffield and were aware people who may appear to be homeless actually have accommodation and may be involved in street activities such as begging and drinking.

“Anyone worried about someone sleeping rough should contact our rough sleeper service on 0114 263 6964 so they can offer accommodation and support,” Zoe added.