Stik draws cash to help credit homeless Hackney residents

Spending time: Stik (right) with Becky Booth of Spice and one ‘time credit’

Local graffiti artist Stik has penned the artwork for a new currency to help Hackney’s homeless residents.

Residents of St. Mungo’s Hostel on Mare Street can now earn ‘time credits’ by volunteering in the community. For every hour of work completed they receive one credit note.

The currency can be spent on cultural and leisure activities in Hackney and across London at venues including the Tower of London and Alexandra Palace.

The credits are illustrated with Stik’s famous ‘hugging image’ representing ‘times spent with loved ones in times of struggle’ and bears a quote from the artist saying: “Your time belongs to you, spend it on things you believe in.”

Stik, who was once a resident at St. Mungo’s, told the Hackney Citizen: “I heard the residents of St. Mungo’s Hostel voted to use the image and I immediately agreed to license it.

“St. Mungo’s is a fantastic charity that helped me when I needed it the most. They work closely with their residents and help people to move on with the next stage of their life.

“I am living proof of that and owe a lot to the people who work and volunteer there.”

The Time Credits initiative is part of a nationwide scheme launched by social enterprise Spice, with unique currencies for different areas.

So far an estimated 22,000 users have earned the currency with approximately 45,000 Time Credits issued.

The aim of the project is to help those affected by homelessness by improving their health and quality of life.

Becky Booth, CEO of Spice said: “We believe everyone’s time is valuable, and we want to harness people’s experience and skills to shape their own community.

“The impact on individuals who for the first time can give something back is profound.”

David Fisher, Executive Director of Services at St. Mungo’s, said: “Our vision is that everyone has a place to call home and can fulfil hopes and ambitions.

“Being connected to your local community is a vital step when moving on from homelessness.”

Hackney’s project is funded by NHS City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group.