Mills & Reeve support Birmingham homelessness charity

SIFA Fireside, based in Digbeth, focuses on helping people who are experiencing homelessness or are vulnerably-housed. Many of the people they work with are facing issues with alcohol, mental and physical health problems or are otherwise socially excluded. The charity runs a daily drop-in session, providing over 1,031 breakfasts, 2,009 lunches and 429 showers each month. 

Dawn Brathwaite, partner and chair of the Birmingham’s office’s charity committee, visited SIFA Fireside, along with fellow partner Jayne Hussey, principal associate Caroline Foster and property executive Ann Marie Gutteridge, to meet some of the volunteers and clients at one of the drop-in sessions. 

Dawn said: “We chose SIFA Fireside as our charity of the year because of the fantastic work they do helping people who are experiencing some very difficult situations. The charity is a lifeline for many people and it was a real privilege to see it in action. 

We had a great time meeting everyone at the centre, in particular Matthew, Steve and John, and I especially enjoyed the impromptu guitar lesson courtesy of Matthew! We hope with our partnership to be able to help SIFA Fireside continue their amazing work.” 

A team of 24 from Mills & Reeve took part in the Great Birmingham 10k run recently and raised over £1,000 for the charity. A further programme of fundraising activities, including collections for clothing, food and toiletries, cake bakes and more, is planned for the rest of the year. 

To find out more about SIFA and donate, visit their website.