Hemel Hempstead shopping centre teams up with DENS to help the homeless in Dacorum

The Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead has created a partnership with DENS to help the homeless in Dacorum.

The shopping centre recently announced DENS as The Marlowes' new Charity of The Year partner for 2021.

The charity not only provides a roof and bed for the homeless people in Dacorum, it also aims to be the first port of call for people in the borough who are facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion; to support and empower them to take the next positive step in their lives.

The newly formed partnership will see the shopping centre work closely with the charity, aiming to help increase awareness of their fantastic work alongside supporting DENS in a number of initiatives.

When picking the centre’s Charity of The Year, The Marlowes asked its Facebook followers to vote for their winner – seeing DENS crowned as this year’s winner.

DENS has been helping to rebuild lives for over 16 years in the local Hemel community, ensuring individuals have access to temporary and short-term accommodation and individuals and families have access to emergency food and provisions.

Lavinia Douglass, marketing manager at The Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, said: “We’re delighted to announce DENS as The Marlowes’ new Charity of the Year for 2021.

"We’re really looking forward to strengthening our new partnership and helping the charity rebuild the lives of local people facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion.

"It’s more important than ever in these difficult times people have both someone and somewhere to turn to, ensuring those who would otherwise be facing a dangerous night out in the freezing cold will instead have a warm bed and hot meal for the night.

“We’ll be working with the charity closely over the next year to use our platform to help raise both funds and awareness of their brilliant work and services across Hemel Hempstead and the wider Dacorum area.”

Nicky Maxwell-Braithwaite, community and events fundraising manager at DENS, said: “We are thrilled to be announced as The Marlowes’ Charity of the Year, and continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity and support of our local community.

"Like many charities, the pandemic has hit DENS hard financially and with live events and community activities cancelled, we’ve experienced a loss in income and it’s vital that we recoup these funds to keep our services open and allow us to continue supporting local vulnerable people during these challenging times.

"Our partnership with The Marlowes will be key to raising awareness about our much-needed services and ways to support DENS.”

More information about DENS click here.