Silver service marks hostel’s milestone
A CELEBRATION service will mark the 25th anniversary of Lawrence House, Hinckley’s hostel for homeless young people.
The event, to which all supporters are welcome, will be held in St Mary’s Church in the town centre on Thursday March 15 at 7pm.
Hinckley Homeless Group, which runs Lawrence House, reached its silver milestone in 2017 but a planned service last December had to be called off due to bad weather.
All those attending the rescheduled service, which organisers say will be an informal time of thanksgiving, are invited to stay afterwards to share birthday cake and drinks.
The deputy mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Councillor Jan Kirby, is hoping to attend along with charity trustees, fundraisers and residents past and present.
Lawrence House offers supported accommodation for up to 12 homeless people aged between 16 and 25 for up to a year.
It has been entirely reliant on donations and grants since Leicestershire County Council withdrew funding in 2015.
Hinckley Homeless Group (HHG) chairman Diana Morgan said: “It’s 25 years since Lawrence House opened its doors to homeless young people and it continues to be a light in the darkness of youth homelessness today.
“We have been busy inviting our supporters and people who have been involved with Lawrence House over the years but there will be people who we have missed because we don’t have their contact details so if you are reading this and would like to come to the service, please do, and if you know someone who has an involvement with Lawrence House, please invite them.”
During the service Tim Render, a founder member and former chairman of HHG, will explain how the organisation began and some former residents will share their stories.
Mrs Morgan said: “I think the most important thing about Lawrence House is the way we help young people turn their lives around.
“It is a tragedy that anyone is without a home and for a young person it disrupts their education and reduces their work opportunities, knocks their selfconfidence, and makes them lonely and vulnerable, just as they are starting adult life.
“Hinckley Homeless Group realised that giving a young person the right support and guidance at this significant point can make all the difference to their future.”