Blue Light Card, the UK's leading discount provider for emergency services, NHS, social care sector, and armed forces, has announced the expansion of its service to include the homelessness workforce.
This move comes as part of a new partnership with Homewards, a five-year programme created by Prince William and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
The initiative aims to support and recognise an estimated 60,000 people working in the UK homelessness sector, including housing officers, night shelter managers, and outreach workers.
By extending its discount offer, Blue Light Card seeks to acknowledge the essential service provided by these dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to prevent homelessness and ensure safe housing for vulnerable individuals.
The Prince of Wales founded Homewards in 2023
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As part of this partnership, Blue Light Card has become an Activator of the Homewards programme, joining other recognised brands such as Pret A Manger and Homebase.
This collaboration aims to demonstrate that ending homelessness is possible, making it rare, brief, and unrepeated.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness of the homelessness sector and its vital work.
By welcoming these workers into the Blue Light Card community, the company acknowledges the essential service they provide in challenging environments.
Alidad Moghaddam, Chief Executive Officer at Blue Light Card, said: "This workforce may not be as easily identifiable as uniformed blue light workers like nurses, doctors, police, or firefighters, but we see them.
"Blue Light symbolises service, sacrifice, and societal impact - values which are shared by the homelessness workforce who often put the needs of others before their own."
Despite their dedication, the homelessness workforce often faces significant challenges.
A recent survey by St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity revealed that over half (52 per cent) of frontline workers in the sector sometimes struggle to pay their bills, whilst 44 per cent have difficulty with housing costs.
Nearly one in two (47 per cent) have spent their own money on work-related expenses and 51 per cent reported always or often feeling at risk of burnout, with an additional 29 per cent sometimes experiencing this.
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Pim Gregory, the Executive Director of Homelessness at The Royal Foundation.
GB NewsBlue Light Card aims to provide practical support by offering discounts on everyday essentials like groceries and utilities, as well as leisure activities.
This initiative seeks to ease financial pressures and improve the wellbeing of these vital workers.
Pim Gregory, Executive Director of Homelessness at The Royal Foundation, commented: "Homelessness is a complex, multifaceted issue and as such the homelessness workforce includes a huge variety of roles.
"They work tirelessly to support some of society's most vulnerable - from those rough sleeping, people sofa surfing or sleeping in their cars, to families and children stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation."
Eligible full-time and part-time employees can easily register for Blue Light Card membership online, the card costs ÂŁ4.99 and is valid for two years, providing access to market-leading discounts and rewards.