A homeless couple in Liverpool initially reacted with "fear and suspicion" when volunteers approached their tent, but their faces "lit up" when offered a hot meal, a charity lead has said.
People In Need Today (PINT) held its first Liverpool outreach on Tuesday, August 18, with support from local businesses including the Municipal Hotel and Spa Liverpool, Rudy's Pizza and The Long Shot Bar. The volunteer-led charity provided food and supplies to people living on the streets.
Volunteer's account of the encounter
Daisy Wall, 30, who led the Liverpool operation, described the experience as one of "mixed emotions". She told the ECHO: "The immediate reaction we got was fear and suspicion. They were scared. I think they thought we were there to move them on or perhaps even threaten them."
"But their faces lit up when they saw I had a big fresh pizza from Rudy's. They were thrilled when we gave him some toothbrushes and wet wipes. Yes, because our team had provided them with what was perhaps their first hot meal in a few days or even weeks, but more because they felt seen."
Background and motivation
Daisy moved back to Liverpool around a year ago after previously helping with PINT's work in London. She previously worked full-time for a start-up but said circumstances had changed, giving her the opportunity to dedicate time to helping others.
She said: "I walk around Liverpool all the time and I know a lot of the homeless people, I talk to them a lot. I've always loved trying to help. I always kept in touch with the founder and he gave me the opportunity to start up here. Homelessness is a real problem and it's only getting worse. It's going to get colder soon and I just want to help people in as many ways as I can."
The first outreach saw volunteers distribute enough food to feed at least 50 people in just a couple of hours. The Municipal Hotel provided 50 sandwiches, while The Long Shot supplied 50 bottles of water and Rudy's Pizza donated freshly made pizzas.
Wider context and charity's plans
The launch came on the same day Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a £10m investment for the Liverpool City Region as part of a wider £442m plan aimed at ending rough sleeping. The three-year programme is intended to provide emergency accommodation and support this winter, alongside practical help with housing, health and other needs. More than 1,000 settled homes are also expected to be delivered over the next three years.
Liverpool City Council's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 found that more than 1,700 households were living in temporary accommodation, an increase of 36.5% compared with 2023. Government figures also recorded a 20% year-on-year increase in the number of people sleeping rough in the North West, rising from 367 in 2024 to 441 in 2025.
PINT was founded in London 20 years ago by former music producer Cee Star. The charity currently provides more than 2,400 meals and food packs each month. It now hopes to establish regular outreach programmes in Liverpool and is calling on local businesses to support its work by providing food and essential supplies.
Cee Star said: "Our hope is this outreach event is the first of many in Liverpool. This first event wouldn't be possible without the support of local businesses and our wonderful volunteers - and I can only offer my sincere thanks to them all. Providing someone sleeping on the streets with even just a sandwich or bottle of water can save lives - not just through providing essential supplies, but reminding people in the most desperate circumstances that they're not alone. This is an example of what can be achieved when we come together. I hope other local businesses see this and want to get involved - there are plenty of people that need help."
