Five Loaves forced to cut centre numbers
TOM Gordon of Wicklow Homeless Five Loaves said that they have had to cut the numbers coming to the day centre to protect staff and service users under very difficult circumstances.
‘ We have prioritised people using the night shelter and people who are sleeping rough,’ said Tom, who said that they have liaised with the HSE for advice on managing the centre.
‘ We would normally have others attend who do have a roof over their heads but they are not coming at the moment,’ said Tom.
He said that they are keeping numbers to a minimum in order to maintain a safe distance. They are open for meals but otherwise reducing hours, so that people are not sharing the same environment too long. Under normal circumstances, some of the service users would stay at Five Loaves for the entire day. ‘ We have to rotate it now, it’s the only way to o it safely and it’s been working so far.
‘ There are hand sanitisers on entering the building and staff are wearing gloves and masks,’ said Tom. He said that there are two people to a table in the day room, where meals are served.
‘ It’s very small numbers at the moment and the most vulnerable are the only ones we can cater for for the time being.’
Tom said that there would have been a lot of people attending on a daily basis up until the start of the current crisis. He said that the staff and service users are all glad that they are now in larger premises, having moved to their current Main street building last year.
The service is still providing sleeping bags and tents for anyone unable to get accommodation in the shelter or elsewhere.
‘ We have been lucky with the weather,’ said Tom. ‘ I hope we don’t see any
Irish pre- summer torrential rain.’
Meanwhile, weekly bingo is cancelled, and the charity shop is closed. While all fundraising activities have ground to a halt,
Tom hopes it won’t be for a prolonged period of time. ‘ The health and wellbeing of our staff, service users and the community is of paramount importance,’ he said.
Tom said that people have been making donations of food to help the centre.
He appealed for people to observe social distancing at all times. ‘ It affects all sectors of society, nobody is immune,’ said Tom. ‘ Take heed, and stay safe.’