Campaign to create care packages for homeless women

A magazine founder is raising money to distribute care packages to homeless women in Brighton this winter.

Caitlin-Finn Ballard, 22, who works at a music agency in London and co-runs King Mob Magazine, got the idea after watching BBC documentary Girls Living on the Streets of Brighton, released earlier this year.

She said: “This particular documentary hit home in a way I didn’t anticipate as not only was it very sensitively made, but I recognised every woman featured and that made the crisis feel very real.

“It shocked me to learn that many of them, who I presumed to be over 30, were actually younger than me.”

Caitlin Ballard and Naomi Davison, co-founders of King Mob Magazine

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Ms Ballard then set up a JustGiving page to raise money for care packages to be distributed across the city.

The package would contain hats, scarves, gloves, thermal socks, sanitary towels, snack bars, water, and personal care products.

One issue for homeless women in particular is affording sanitary products, something Ms Ballard is hoping to help with.

Women she talked to also expressed concerns around not having bras, and sleeping rough while pregnant.

During the winter, these struggles worsen due to increased susceptibility to illness and limited access to medication and comfort.

King Mob Magazine, a creative collective run by Ms Ballard and fellow co-founder Naomi Davison, aims to budget £10 per package and distribute 50 packages to people living on the streets.

More than £1,100 has been raised so far, and a fundraising gig held on November 23 will see all proceeds going to the cause.

Anyone with ideas for packages can email [email protected].

Ms Ballard said: “We are by no means pretending that this project will solve the issue, but it might make things a little easier on someone who needs it.”

To find out more, visit the campaign’s JustGiving site.