StreetSmart

For the last 10 years, PLPR has supported StreetSmart with their campaign to help homeless people. Each year we use our connections in the Bristol food scene to sign up restaurants to raise money for the charity. 

StreetSmart was established in 1998 and has raised over £10.3 million for homeless and vulnerable people across the UK. Through StreetSmart, funding has been provided to over 200 organisations, providing a broad range of services, support and companionship to the homeless and vulnerable across the UK. 

The task 

PLPR bridges the gap between the organisation and the restaurants, by informing and educating them on how and why StreetSmart works and encouraging them to sign up.  

Over November and December, a voluntary £1 is added to the diners’ bill at participating restaurants with every penny in every £1 raised going directly to the people who need it. 

By having local knowledge and having grown relationships within Bristol’s restaurant industry, we can put our connections to work for this great cause. 

The plan  

PLPR issues a regional press release to local media to raise awareness of the campaign and announce which restaurants are participating in the city.  

PLPR starts approaching Bristol restaurants towards the end of Summer, in preparation for the festive season.  

Each year we welcome back committed restaurants who return to support the campaign year after year and bring in new restaurants to help raise money for StreetSmart. 

We visit all the restaurants taking part before the campaign kicks off and deliver table cards for the restaurants to display to inform diners’ of the voluntary donation.  

The results  

Media coverage - 6 pieces of coverage, with 380,580 monthly readers to websites covered.

Last year, in 2021, the Bristol restaurants raised £11,500 for StreetSmart. These invaluable funds were donated to the charity 1625 Independent People. The charity works with up to 500 young people in the Bristol area at a time to prevent homelessness, keep them safe and support them in taking the next steps in their life.  

Katy Greenlaw, the charity’s communications and community fundraising manager explains, “we heavily rely on the local community for support, and we want our young people to thrive and to get to a point where they need less and less support as they go on. Knowing that your local restaurant is doing something to support you really helps with young people’s identity, knowing they’re being supported by the community around them.”