Give Your Change, Change A Life

The Alternative Giving Scheme

Fact: Many people who beg have drug problems. Most of the money they receive by begging is spent on drugs and alcohol, rather than food.

Fact: Begging is against the law. It is dangerous, damaging and humiliating and often traps the beggar in a cycle of poverty and deprivation.

Fact: Many people who beg are not actually homeless or sleeping rough.

Begging is a significant social problem, but there are steps we all can take to ensure it doesn't get worse. Diverted and Alternative Giving schemes have proven their worth in other towns and cities across the UK by reducing the number of beggars on the streets. They work by channelling money to organisations who can provide the appropriate support to help beggars overcome their drug and alcohol problems whilst addressing genuine welfare and housing needs.

In 2004, CCP set up an alternative to begging scheme in Cheltenham with support from the Chelsea Building Society and Summerfield Trust.  The Give your Change, Change a Life initiative was designed to significantly reduce the number of people begging in the town centre whilst ensuring that money and assistance reached those who really needed it.

Give beggars a Hand Up, not a Hand Out

Look for the collection boxes placed in key positions around Cheltenham. Instead of giving money to a beggar, we're asking you to drop a donation into one of the boxes. All money collected goes directly to provide food and appropriate support to help break the cycle of begging and deprivation.