Lifeline for the homeless aims to offer extra help
AVITAL lifeline for the town’s most vulnerable people is looking to expand its work in 2017.
Feeding Rochdale Homeless supports around 100 people each week, giving out warm food and drinks, clothing and other provisions to those who would otherwise have nothing. The project started life as Help the Homeless Rochdale, but changed its name last autumn after moving from its temporary home at the town hall to a new base at St Chad’s Church.
Now, the charity works alongside Rochdale Soup Kitchen, which also operates from the church.
Volunteer, Liz Goodall, said: “Since the move, we’ve been busy feeding, clothing and helping out the homeless people of Rochdale, from 2pm to 4pm every Sunday afternoon.
“The charity has got bigger since we moved to the church.
“There is now somewhere warm for our service users to be for a couple of hours, we have storage space for donations and a kitchen, which allows us to keep food hot and provides lots of hot water.
“We feed in the region of 100 people per week, give or take. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes it’s busier.
“The vast majority are from Rochdale and we have a couple from Heywood. They can come to us for food and supplies.”
The project has reached this point with the help of various donations and £1,000 was raised during a recent fundraising campaign.
Members would like to thank everyone who contributed, including Gary Rothwell and members of Forever Strong Gym, Daz Wright from All Seas Global, Louise Fenton Kileen from Louise Kileen Translations, Kimberley Anderson and Samantha Worsley.
There are now plans to seek community interest company status for the project, which has around 15 regular volunteers.
“This year, we are hoping to move the group forward and to supply more services, such as health checks and advice on debt, mental health, housing and benefits” added Liz.
Anyone with training in those areas who can donate their time invited to get in touch.
An accountant is also sought to help with bookkeeping is and donations of sleeping bags, tents, food, tea, coffee and toiletries are always required. Members can be contacted through the Feeding Rochdale Homeless page on Facebook.