The kitchen sink came too as charity finds new home

Francesca Johnson, Brian Winteridge and Kath Friedrich help PATH move home THEY took everything with them including the kitchen sink, but Torbay homeless charity PATH has found a new home.

Faced with leaving their previous base at Roebuck House in Torquay, the volunteers at People Assisting Torbay’s Homeless thought they were going to be out on the streets themselves.

But an emergency solution has been found to put a roof over their heads, at least for the time being. Torbay Council, which is partners with PATH in the Torbay End Street Homelessness initiative, joined the TDA to help find a short-term option so the charity can keep services running.

With no suitable council-owned properties available for the homeless charity to move into, the council offered the use of 87 Abbey Road as a temporary emergency solution.

The property, across the road from Roebuck House, has limited facilities and will need to be sold to fund the council's Capital Programme commitments.

But, said a council spokesman, it does provide a “brief window of opportunity” for the charity to find alternative premises. The building will be used as a drop-in venue, food bank, clothes bank and to provide hot meals for the homeless and vulnerable, as well as a meeting place for TESH.

A spokesman for PATH said: “It’s appropriate that, as part of the TESH collective, the council has come to our rescue. We are relieved our new premises are so close to Roebuck House, where people are used to accessing our services.”

Torbay Council’s executive lead for adults Councillor Julien Parrott said: “I’m pleased we have been able to identify premises to help PATH continue its good work. The council is committed to working with its partners to help the most vulnerable adults in our community.”

PATH has a helpline number and anyone who has any questions or concerns can call 07763 398238.