DOUBLE HELPING

CARING volunteers who help people who have no place to stay are doubling their efforts to help those in need as winter bites.

Inverclyde Homeless Forum is now providing a hot meal and company two days a week as it reaches out to help more individuals in crisis.

The charity is now open on Mondays and Fridays in its base at St Mary’s Church hall in Greenock and anyone needing help will be made welcome.

This marks a return to a full service for the first time in three years and organisers say it also reflects the current harsh economic climate.

Carol Bjonness, vice-chair of IHF, said: “Pre-Covid we were here two days a week but when we re-opened it was only Mondays.

“We felt that with coming into winter and the economic climate there is definitely a greater need.

“We will be open from 9am until noon on both days and offer tea, coffee and cakes from 9.30am and then lunch - a two course hot meal of soup and a main. Everyone who comes in will leave with a bag of food, toiletries and clothing.”

The forum relies on donations and has support from Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Aldi, who deliver food to them on Sunday evenings.

Carol said: “We have also received a grant of £1,500 from Tesco’s Community Fund and that money will really help us with opening on Fridays.”

The group is running a charity shop in Bay Street in Port Glasgow until November 24 to raise additional funds.

Carol, who has been involved with the forum for 17 years, said: “We have between 30 and 40 people who come along.

“It is predominantly men but there are around six women.

“We have a core of people who have been coming in here for years but some people still don’t even know we exist.”

The forum is also arranging a Christmas lunch, which will be held on Monday December 19.