Newsletter: May 2011

Dear Supporters,

We are yet again nearly half way through the year and it has been a very busy five months at the Project. We have a continuous flow of people asking for shelter, in person, on the phone, via the web site and through other agencies. We currently turn away between 20 and 50 people a month as we just don't have enough room.

Partly in response to this, in April we launched our 'Night Safe' project to give shelter to those on the streets of Birkenhead overnight. Up to six people can access the Irene Kennedy Centre from midnight where there is food and drink, a member of staff for advice, and bedrolls so they can get their heads down. From half past seven in the morning, the Drop-In is open, so those staying overnight then access this, have some breakfast, and we can start looking at individual circumstances and what we can do to help.

The Drop-In is now a very busy and successful project and a hive of activity five days per week. As well as food and shelter, a nursing service, a mental health worker and housing advice, there are activities and outings every day and the opportunity to access basic training sessions.

At the other end of our project we have just purchased our fourth Arkangel house with the help of grants from some Charitable Trusts. We now have seven move-on houses in the community. This latest house will house two people whom we identify as needing rather more long term support. They will stay at the project for up to about two years if necessary. This is something we have long identified as being needed by our client group.

We were fortunate to escape the current round of funding cuts and our government funding is secure for another twelve months which is a huge relief. We continue to add value for money to our service and hope this will stand us in good stead next year.

As always, we are still looking for more volunteers, particularly at weekends and those that can help out either with the drop-in or in the Night Safe project. If anyone is interested then please use the contact form on this web site or contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Joyce Lowe on 0151 650 6857.

Sincerely,

Anne O'Marah
Chief Executive