FRIENDLY places to meet, a warm welcome and Christmas dinners are being offered to people who are homeless and other vulnerable people in Leicester, over the festive period.
A programme of extra support and activities has been coordinated by Leicester’s Homelessness Charter, which brings together a range of local organisations working to tackle homelessness in the city.
Local charities, faith groups, the city council and other organisations will be providing a wide range of services throughout the Christmas holidays to help ensure that people can get the support they need and also enjoy some Christmas cheer.
Rebecca Pawley, project coordinator for Leicester’s Homelessness Charter, said: "Homelessness continues to rise nationally, with an estimated 330,000 people expected to spend this Christmas without a home. Leicester's Homelessness Charter, established in 2018, remains committed to supporting organisations and individuals working to address homelessness in our city.
“Christmas can be an especially isolating time for those experiencing homelessness, but it’s inspiring to see organisations, faith groups, and individuals coming together once again. Their efforts ensure that anyone facing homelessness can find warmth, safety, support, and a chance to share in the festive spirit."
Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, deputy city mayor for housing said: We’re extremely grateful for the invaluable support that charities and faith groups in Leicester provide all year round. At Christmas they pull out all the stops to make sure very vulnerable people can have some Christmas cheer in the company of others.
“Leicester’s Homelessness Charter helps bring together these fantastic organisations, whose efforts make a huge difference to people’s lives. Sadly, their work is needed this year more than ever.”
Services and extra support on offer for homeless people, rough sleepers and vulnerably housed people over the Christmas period include:
The Bridge, 43 Melton Street, offers breakfast and lunch and a warm and friendly place to meet and chat on weekdays (except Wednesdays and bank holidays) from 9.30am to 2.30pm (9.30am to 1pm on Tues 24 & Tues 31 Dec). It’s also open on Saturday 28 December from 9am-1pm. Clothes, toiletries, food parcels and use of showers are also available.
The Brotherhood Legion has partnered with local charities to provide a meal on Christmas day for people who are homeless or will be alone. They’ll be at the MAL Centre, Abbotsford Road from 12pm-4pm.
Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) will be providing freshly cooked hot meals for people who are homeless or struggling to make ends meet. They will be at St Peter’s Highfields Church from 12.30pm-1pm on Wednesday 18 December and Wed 1 January. And they’ll be providing an early evening meal service from 5.30pm-6pm on Saturday 21, Tuesday 24 and Saturday 28 December.
The charity will offering another early evening service from outside St Margaret’s Church, St Margaret’s Way on Sundays on 22 and 29 December from 5.30pm-6pm.
And they’ll be offering a takeaway festive meal and their annual Christmas service from St Peter’s Highfields Church on Christmas day from 11.30am-12noon.
Rachel’s Table offers food, hot drinks, toiletries and other essentials from its base in Calais Hill, open from 3.30pm-4.30pm on Mondays, Thursday, and Sundays. It will also be offering a Christmas dinner to take away on Thursday 19 December.
Robert Hall Memorial Baptist Church on Narborough Road provides free cooked meals every Wednesday, and will be serving a full Christmas dinner on Wed 18 December, from 5pm-5.30pm. The service will not operate on Christmas day, when Denise’s Homeless Mission will be serving a Christmas dinner at the hall from 12pm-2pm, along with presents and a visit from Santa.
Triangle at Holy Trinity Church, off Upper King Street, will be offering a Christmas meal, with gifts and a food hamper, on Friday 20 December from 6.30pm.
To help people who are sleeping rough, the city council’s homelessness outreach team is out morning and evenings, providing support including emergency accommodation.
The council’s Dawn Centre hostel in Conduit Street, will be open all day, every every day throughout the Christmas and New Year period offering advice, support and assistance to those who are homeless.
Full details of all of the services available over the festive period are available at: www.leicesterhomelessnesscharter.co.uk
A simplified list of all free hot food and drink available over the Christmas period is also on the website here
Anyone who is concerned about someone sleeping rough can report it online at thestreetlink.org.uk and the city council will send its outreach team to offer a bed and other help.
Anyone who has been made homeless or is rough sleeping can call the city council on 0116 454 1008 during working hours from Monday to Friday. This will enable a homeless prevention officer to properly assess their needs.
In an emergency situation – at weekends, bank holidays and out of hours – people can call the Dawn Centre on 0116 221 2770.