This year’s Mercury Prize Award nomine Kano has raised over £8,000 via GoFundMe just two weeks in from launching Newham Talks.

The new 8-episode YouTube series, Newham Talks created to support local charities, features the grime pioneer Kano conversing with Ghetts, Idris Elba, Dr Joy White and King Cook.

Other big-name talent set to appear on the series are, GRM Daily founder Koby ‘Posty’ Hagan, former Olympic, World and Commonwealth 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu, and ex-footballer and former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton, all hailing from the Borough of Newham.

Caritas Anchor House who have been named as one of the beneficiaries of the fundraiser, are the largest homelessness charity provider in Newham. They provide a residential and life skills centre for single homeless adults in the area and last year the charity provided a home and support to 287 people, of whom 81 secured and sustained employment, and 103 moved on to independent living.

Catching up with CEO of Caritas Anchor House, Amanda Dubarry tells us what it means to be one of the beneficiaries.

She said:

We feel so very fortunate as a charity to be recognised by Kano. To receive this kind of support and visibility it’s absolutely great. We are very grateful for the awareness and support especially in these challenging times.

There has been a phenomenal response to homelessness throughout the country both nationally and locally. However, the pandemic has presented its own set of issues that have since seen a sharp rise in new rough sleepers reported during the lockdown.

Newham has the highest levels of homelessness in the country affecting 1 in every 24 people. Data released by the Greater London Authority last week shows that Newham had the second highest number of people sleeping rough in any London borough from April 2019-March 2020, rising from third in 2018-19 with almost a 20% increase.

Caritas Anchor House has one of the largest hostel sites in the country providing up to 140 beds including 25 ‘move on flats’. But with referrals increasing, charities like Caritas are in desperate need of support.

Speaking on the challenges throughout the pandemic, Amanda said:

“We’ve had an excess of over £200,000 in additional Covid-related costs in six months. In the same period we received 413 referrals. Meeting the government guidelines has meant we must factor the extra costs of PPE, extra cleaning costs and find new ways of getting hot food to our residents who can no longer share communal kitchens. It has been really challenging as a charity to combat the stats, that’s why this news means so much to us.”

She added: “We thank Newham Talks not only for the donation but for giving people from Newham a real sense of pride for where they live.”

Jack who was homeless before coming to Caritas Anchor House watched the series said:

“It’s good to hear from people like Kano that grew up in Newham and have done really well for themselves. It shows that it’s possible for me and others too. While I don’t reckon I’ll become an international superstar, I’m just looking forward to getting a job and my own home after a relationship breakdown that left me homeless last year.”

The Renewal Programme will split the funds between themselves, Caritas Anchor House and Bonny Downs Community Association .

Watch the series and find out how to donate here .

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.