More Than a Meal: Why Theresa Started Pay It Forward Vouchers
For many of us, a trip to the high street is a routine errand. We pop into *Boots* for a toothbrush, swing by *Aldi* for the weekly shop, or head to *Primark* for a warm jumper. But for someone in the midst of a crisis, these simple acts of choosing what you need, and when you need it, can feel like a world away.
Behind *Pay It Forward Vouchers* is a story that began not in a boardroom, but on the streets of Cambridge. It’s a story about a simple question: What does it really mean to help?
## The Human Behind the Mission
By day, *Theresa* is a Medical Secretary with the NHS. Her daily life is spent supporting others, navigating the complexities of healthcare, and ensuring people get the care they need. She’s used to seeing the challenges people face behind the scenes, but it was a personal encounter outside of her working hours that sparked the flame for what would become a national award-winning charity.
Theresa didn’t set out to run a charity. She simply saw a gap between the kindness people wanted to give and the actual needs of those receiving it.
## The “Sandwich” Realisation: A Lesson in Dignity
The idea for The Pay It Forward (PIF) Voucher Scheme was born from a moment of observation. Theresa noticed that while many people wanted to know *how to help the homeless*, the most common response was to buy a hot drink or a sandwich.
While the gesture is undeniably kind, Theresa began to wonder: What if that person is allergic to gluten? What if they already had three coffees that morning but desperately need a new pair of socks or some basic toiletries?
Deciding for someone else what they should eat or wear, however well-intentioned, strips away a layer of autonomy. Theresa realised that the most valuable thing you can give someone in a crisis, after the essentials themselves, is *choice*.
“It’s about dignity,” Theresa often reflects. “When you’re at your lowest point, being able to walk into a shop and pick out the items you actually need is a small but powerful way to feel like yourself again.”
This “dignity-first” approach became the cornerstone of our charity. We don’t just provide food; we provide the means for a person to choose a meal that fits their dietary needs, clothing that fits their body, and essentials that fit their life.
## Expanding the Vision: From Homelessness to a National Crisis
What started as a local initiative in Cambridge (originally launching with the support of the local council and the *Black Cat Café* on Mill Road) quickly faced a massive challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the world locked down, the traditional ways of helping, handing out physical vouchers or food, became nearly impossible. But the need didn’t disappear; it exploded. Theresa and the team realised that the crisis wasn’t just affecting those on the streets. We then changed the name from The Pay it Forward Voucher Scheme to Pay it Forward Vouchers, runs off the tongue better!
Post-COVID, it became clear that the “vulnerably housed” were just one group in need. We started seeing more *families in crisis*, single parents, carers, survivors of domestic abuse, and people with long-term illnesses who were struggling to make ends meet.