Meet The Team

Tina & Aky Suryavansi

Tina & Aky Suryavansi

Homeless Hampers Management

At a really difficult time in our lives, we were introduced to Homeless Hampers in January 2016. We started as volunteers as part of the Leeds outreach. Within a few months, both Aky & I became volunteer coordinators and organised each of the Leeds outreaches.

At a really difficult time in our lives, we were introduced to Homeless Hampers in January 2016. We started as volunteers as part of the Leeds outreach. Within a few months, we both became volunteer co-ordinators and organised each of the Leeds outreaches.

In October 2017, Aky & I took over full management of Homeless Hampers.

We both work in our full time regular jobs, but most of our spare time is spent running and organising Homeless Hampers.

It saddens us knowing so many people rely on us, but we are committed to support the people that need us.

We are often asked why we do what we do. It’s simple – it’s because we care and know how important life is. Our passion is human compassion.

We both know that without the support of our volunteers and the various organisations we work with, we can’t do what we do.

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Sally Lewis

Sally Lewis

Team Manager / Trustee

I have been volunteering with Homeless Hampers since February 2017, working as part of the weekly outreach team, as well as undertaking secretariat and treasurer responsibilities for the group.

weekly outreach team, as well as undertaking secretariat and treasurer responsibilities for the group.

I am a chartered accountant in the financial services industry, working as a business partner responsible for the financial analysis and appraisal of strategic projects.

I support the homeless community because I am passionate about providing help and support to the vulnerable and those who are unable to help themselves.

I chose to join the Homeless Hampers team because of the dedication and passion that they show to the whole community.  Everyone works together and will go above and beyond to support anyone in need, with both short term needs and longer-term support to get people back on their feet.  They are such a friendly and genuinely caring team of people, it is a truly humbling experience to work alongside them.

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Chris

Chris

Team Leader / Trustee

I began volunteering with Homeless Hampers in May 2021 after seeing a post about the organisation on Facebook. I went along to Outreach one Sunday evening and was hooked

I began volunteering with Homeless Hampers in May 2021 after seeing a post about the organisation on Facebook. I went along to Outreach one Sunday evening and was hooked.

Since then, I have become more involved with other aspects of the charity, such as food pack preparation and fundraising and recently had the privilege of being appointed as a trustee. I look forward to spending many years with the incredible team of volunteers at Homeless Hampers, whilst expanding my knowledge and skill set to reach and help more vulnerable and homeless people .

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Harriet Smith

Harriet Smith

Trustee and Team Manager

I have always felt I wanted to help the homeless in some way, after a difficult Christmas in 2017, my friend told me about Homeless Hampers

I have always felt I wanted to help the homeless in some way, after a diffcult Christmas in 2017, my friend told me about Homeless Hampers – Coincidently, my January horoscope suggested working with a charity and supporting vulnerable people would satisfy my humanitarian impulses!  This was just what I needed to hear to reach out to Homeless Hampers.

I started volunteering on outreach the same month and have since continued my outreach support as well as being involved in cooking meals, delivering food to hostels and running projects.

Homeless Hampers pride themselves on treating everyone equally in a non-judgemental way, regardless of background or situation.

In May 2022,  was honoured to be asked by Tina and Aky to become a trustee.  I felt confident enough to take on this responsibility and look forward to working with a great team of like-minded individuals – helping to make a difference to those in need.

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David Hennessy

David Hennessy

Trustee

I started volunteering with Homeless Hampers in January 2022, initially as a member of the Sunday night outreach team…

I’ve been a strong advocate of the mission ever since and continue to be inspired by our volunteers and in many cases the people we support.

My background is technology and finance and I’ve been a technology leader in retail working at all levels from engineering to the Board for over thirty years.  I want to use all my business and technology skills to highlight the growing homeless problem and help drive it closer to the top of everyone’s agenda.

The challenges for our homeless are there for everyone to see every day in every town and city.  Some problems seem too big but what we do is give this community a little support in the ‘here and now’ whether that’s food, clothing or just a friendly face.  Being able to make a tangible immediate difference to those unable to help themselves for whatever reasons is why I wanted to be involved.

Homeless Hampers are particularly special because of the volunteers and their incredible teamwork and caring approach to every person.  Everyone is special whether they are first or last in the outreach queue and this is why it’s a privilege to be able to support them.

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