John hopes to become an electrician

HOMELESS people can now raise money towards achieving their goals – whether that is a new home, job or training – in a scheme backed by the council.

Beam is a social enterprise and fundraising platform that has partnered with the council to help homeless people overcome “financial obstacles”.

Beam also helps jobseekers with their CVs, interview skills and job applications. Forty residents will benefit from Beam’s homelessness support in the next year.

Gary is training to be a plumber after receiving support from Beam

Gary is now training to be a plumber via the Beam scheme, while John is raising funds to become an electrician.

Cllr Una O’Halloran, Islington’s communities chief, said: “We want everyone in Islington to have a decent place to call home and everything they need to thrive.

“This scheme has transformed the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents, which is fantastic.”

Seb Barker, co-founder of Beam, said: “Beam is using technology to empower the most disadvantaged people in our society, by giving them an online support network and all the tools they need to accelerate their journey into stable work or housing.”