Verral Paul-Walcott, a London father of two, has been aiding homeless individuals and domestic abuse survivors since the pandemic began. He says the crisis has worsened, with more people on the streets than ever before. Drawing from his own childhood experience of fleeing an abusive home with his mother, Verral now leads a volunteer network that has grown from 24 to over 1,000 people.
A Growing Crisis on London's Streets
Verral, from Haringey, told MyLondon: "I've seen a massive rise in the number of people that are out on the street. On every corner, it feels like you are seeing a homeless person. It makes me feel like I'm not doing enough." His group, C86ers, operates a domestic abuse hub, a bike distribution team, and an online support network.
Verral's own story fuels his mission. "I've lived this experience. My mum and I went from house to house for years. She was a victim of domestic abuse. I know people who have been in temporary accommodation for years," he said.
The Urgent Need for a Van
Verral and his team have secured storage space for domestic abuse survivors' belongings, but they lack a van to transport items. Currently, they rely on bikes, which cannot move beds, wardrobes, or large donations. "You can leave your abuser, but then what happens if you can't get the help to move that stuff? We can't move a survivor's bed, wardrobe or essentials in on our bikes or caddy - we need a van," he explained.
The team has had to turn down large donations due to transport limitations. Acquiring a community van would allow them to serve all 27 London boroughs they cover, picking up victims' belongings and handling bulk donations.
From Lockdown to Legacy
Verral's community work began during lockdown when he raised funds for school uniforms. He then partnered with local restaurants to provide hot meals to the homeless. Now, his focus is on domestic abuse survivors. "Helping people has become my second chance. I used to deal with social anxiety, and now I'm in a position to speak on people's behalf. Helping people has almost become my medication," he said.
He credits his wife and children for supporting his efforts. "Without her, I wouldn't be able to be out helping these people. I try to help as many people as I can. I want to leave a legacy for my kids."
If you need help, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, run by Refuge, available 24/7. To support Verral's fundraiser, donations are welcome.
