Advertisement
Film

James Bowen backs job training platform for homeless people

Bob the Cat’s owner becomes an ambassador for a new crowdfunding project supporting people with a plan to get off the streets

James Bowen, the ex-Big Issue vendor turned bestselling author of A Street Cat Named Bob, has backed a new project aimed at helping homeless people off the streets and into work.

Bowen has become an ambassador for Beam, a platform supporting people who believe they have a particular plan to work themselves out of their crisis.

The model sees members referred through homelessness charities – including St Mungo’s and Thames Reach – then assisted through a crowdfunding exercise to gain potentially life-changing skills and employment training.

“Beam is a great way to help these people to get back on their feet and actually train in something they want to do,” said Bowen.

The author and his beloved cat Bob – stars of a recent movie adaptation of the million-selling book – recently met Beam’s first member Tony, an aspiring electrician living in a hostel in south east London.

In less than a month, Tony has successfully funded his campaign to gain training and qualifications as a specialist tradesman – raising £4,378 from 136 supporters.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Thanks to Beam, I’m now training to become a fully-qualified electrician

“When I first heard about Beam I thought, ‘Why would anyone want to help me out?’,” recalled Tony (pictured above, left).

“I just couldn’t believe it when the money started coming in. Then, when I read the messages from my supporters, I just didn’t have words. Thanks to Beam, I’m now training to become a fully-qualified electrician.”

Backed by innovation funding from the Mayor of London and the innovation foundation Nesta, the team behind Beam are confident they can help more people unlock their potential and find career success.

“I believe people want to help but feel powerless,” says founder Alex Stephany (pictured above, far left).

“My question was, ‘How can I take a small amount of money but make the smartest possible investment in someone’s future, helping them out of homelessness for good?’ At Beam, we believe it’s by working together to crowdfund new skills and employment training.”

James Murray, deputy mayor for housing and residential development, added: “The Mayor of London is pleased to support Beam as an innovative approach that enables Londoners to help directly too.”

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

Read All
'War is madness': Steve McQueen and Saoirse Ronan on Britishness, trauma and new drama Blitz
Exclusive

'War is madness': Steve McQueen and Saoirse Ronan on Britishness, trauma and new drama Blitz

Anora review – even Russian mercenaries have a sensitive side 
Film

Anora review – even Russian mercenaries have a sensitive side 

The Room Next Door review – Pedro Almodóvar puts friendship and assisted dying in laser-focus
Film

The Room Next Door review – Pedro Almodóvar puts friendship and assisted dying in laser-focus

Timestalker review – digging deep into how love makes fools of us all
Alice Lowe in Timestalker
Film

Timestalker review – digging deep into how love makes fools of us all

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue