On Monday 12 January, Soroptimists Bristol reunited after the Christmas break for the first of their monthly Speaker and Supper meetings.
We were delighted to welcome Jasper Thompson, Founder and CEO of Help Bristol’s Homeless Charity, alongside Project Manager Kerrie Woolf.
Jasper, who moved from Jamaica to Bristol aged eight, shared his remarkable journey. After a challenging childhood that saw him enter care at nine and living independently by sixteen, he later excelled in the army before running several successful Bristol businesses and working internationally as a close protection officer.
Inspired after returning from Jamaica on a cold winter’s day, Jasper decided to take action to support people experiencing homelessness. What began as distributing essentials soon grew into the creation of innovative “micro-flats” made from converted shipping containers.
Since designing the first unit in 2016, Help Bristol’s Homeless now provides 33 supported single-occupancy homes in Bedminster helping people to quietly get their lives back on track alongside providing access to therapists, advisors, and training opportunities through their café and restaurant.
The scheme has become a global blueprint, the units are now supported by corporate sponsors, and continues to go from strength to strength.
Our thanks to Jasper and Kerrie for such an inspiring and informative talk on this vital charity. We hope to visit you soon.
#helpbristolshomeless