PEOPLE in Southampton are being urged to give money to homelessness charities rather than beggars on the city’s streets as part of a new campaign.

The city council has launched a the Begging You For Lasting Change campaign advising residents and visitors to give to charities so they can help to support genuinely homeless people.

Recently the council approved new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) banning begging and street drinking in five areas of the city, including the centre.

Some critics said the move was “criminalising” homeless people, but council chiefs say many beggars are not genuinely homeless.

The orders have banned street-drinking and begging in the city centre, Portswood Broadway,Shirley High Street, Woolston High Street and Bitterne Precinct, and could see fines of up to £100 issued and arrests made if the rules are not complied with.

However the council says action will only be taken as “last resort”.

Now the council has launched its new poster campaign urging people to donate to homelessness charities instead of people on the streets.

Launched in partnership with local charities Two Saints and The Society of St James, the council says donations can be made via text message to “help provide a longer-term solution by helping vulnerable people off the streets and into accommodation and support services”.

The council’s chief executive, Dawn Baxendale, said: “Although they are often linked in people’s minds it is important to note that begging and homelessness are two different issues.

"Many homeless people don't beg and the council and its partners are aware that many of those begging on Southampton’s streets are not homeless.

"We understand that local people want to help and we want to make sure their money is used in a positive way to help drive sustainable change.”

“This diverted giving scheme offers residents and visitors to Southampton the chance to support people, with the confidence that their donation will be used to directly improve services for those sleeping rough in the area, including those not seen on the city’s high streets.

"These established charities are focused on getting people into accommodation, support and employment in order to move away from a life on the streets."

“However, it’s up to each individual to decide whether they give money to beggars and we respect each individual’s decision.”

James McDermott, regional director at Two Saints, said: “We fully support this campaign and any donations we receive will be used to help fund our Day Centre in Cranbury Avenue which is a base for the Southampton Street Homeless Prevention Team.

“The centre provides a vital resource in the local community for people affected by homelessness and offers accommodation, food, clothing, showers, access to medical services and support to help them rebuild their lives and return to independent living and employment.”

And Paul Baker, service manager at The Society of St James, said: “Naturally we want this campaign to have a positive impact on the end users.

“Donations we receive will be specifically used to help fund our Southampton Street Intensive and Resettlement Service which provides support for people with intensive needs who have a background of homelessness.

“The aim of the service is to provide up to six months intensive support to enable residents to achieve a degree of stability and move on to more independent accommodation.”

How to donate: You can donate by text to the Society of St James by texting SOST10 followed by the amount, eg £3, to 70070.

You can donate by text to Two Saints by texting TSDC30 followed by the amount to 70070.

For more information on the charities you can visit justgiving.com/sotonst-outreach or Two Saints Homeless Day Centre Anyone wanting to help someone sleeping rough should visit streetlink.org.uk or email streethomeless@southampton.gov.uk