VIDEO: The Warrington business community is rallying to tackle the issue of homelessness in the town by supporting local charity Room at the Inn – The Y Project.
During recent #LoveWarrington shows around the town centre, numerous viewers raised concerns over the number of homeless people and asked what was going to be done about it.
As a result warrington-worldwide teamed up with Real5 Networking, who are based in Palmyra Square and are neigh neighbours of Room at the Inn, to explore ways of helping.
#LoveWarrington co-presenter Gary Pemberton from Belvoir Sales & Lettings and Real5 Networking’s Andy Hibbert teamed up with cameraman Matt Dempsey from MD Media, who is a patron of the project, visited the charity to meet founder Sue Blythe, who provided a tour of the facility.
Room at the Inn – The Y Project took over services from the old Warrington YMCA, providing daytime services to homeless and vulnerable people and a 10 bedded night shelter.
Their ethos is to help people to access the services they need to go forward with their lives. Their dedicated staff and volunteers support people through very difficult times and help them to find a better future.
Sue, who was once homeless herself following a house fire, said: “We are here to give people a hand up not a hand out.”
She explained that about 40 per cent of people who visited had been through the care system.
The shelter opens from 10am-2pm and from 5pm-8pm providing a place where homeless people can call in for a coffee and essential items and support. Then from 9pm they provide 10 emergency beds.
She urged members of the public who saw the same people sleeping rough in doorways on a regular basis to contact the charity and she or one of their volunteers would be “there in a shot!”
After touring the facility the team presented Sue with a bunch of red roses to place a single rose on each bed tonight to show anyone using the facility that they were loved.
To help support the charity, Real5 Networking are planning to organise a “Disco at the Inn” at the nearby Institution Bar, to have a fun night, helping raise £2-3k to help support the homeless.
Meanwhile anyone who sees a homeless person they feel needs help and support is urged to contact the charity on 01925 632771.
Gary Pemberton and Andy Hibbert (right) with Sue Blythe
