Student sets up support group to help homeless

A Warrington based student who suffered adversity following a spinal injury is now helping others who face homelessness and hunger in the town.

Social work student Martika Hoather 29, who is studying at the University of Chester Warrington campus has set up a volunteer group that supports the homeless and vulnerable in the town.
Called Warrington in Arms at Night ([email protected]) the support group, which is fully certified with insurance cover, meets every Saturday and Tuesday at 6pm on Bridge Street providing hot meals, packed lunches, hot drinks, clothing, toiletries, tents and sleeping bags.
They rely solely on donations from the public, although they receive sponsorship support from sponsored by Local businesswoman and landlady Jenny Chadwick from ‘The wolves bar’ Warrington.
Martika said: “Last year I received a spinal injury that left me in very poor health. I was reliant on a wheelchair and care from others. My illness has long term lasting effects that can worsen or improve at any time so I decided
after I saw some improvements to my health that I would help as many people as I can, while I still have the ability to.
“I created this community project after learning how severe the issue of homelessness was from a lecture I was given at university. I was saddened to learn the process and struggles individuals must go through before they are considered for shelter or housing.
“I still find it very hard to understand that in one of the richest countries in the world, we as a country and as individuals allow human beings to sleep in doorways and eat from bins.
“One individual I have met is a gentleman that until very recently was a respected member of his community, volunteering regularly at a local soup kitchen. He found himself on difficult times and he is now homeless and not knowing where his next meal will come from. The circumstances of this individual certainly highlights to me the true meaning and reality that any one of us could end up in that situation at any time. Being homeless does not make you less of a person but ignoring the issue of homelessness and doing nothing makes you part of the problem.”
Martika added: “I have a lot of my social work student friends to thank for all their hard work in helping me achieve all that we have with our project. We all have our own tasks and jobs to keep the project running so well.”
She is supported by team leader Laura Hudson, 31, from Fearnhead, Warrington, who helps with running the charity and taking the lead role if Martika is not available.
Meanwhile, Emma Farrell, 29, from Newton le Willows, is team leader for fundraising.
She also has 10 of her university peers who work on a rota basis in supporting the outreach events, along with family and friends who have worked endlessly to support the project.
Martika added: “We are also looking for a unit to rent in Warrington if possible, as at the moment we use my garage to store our equipment and that isn’t ideal!”
More details about the group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/823102038251323/