'Help us help city's homeless'

From the archive, first published Wednesday 6th Dec 2006.

Volunteers are being sought to work over the festive period for Bradford Day Shelter.

They will be needed to help prepare and serve meals and help with entertainment.

Donations of winter clothing are also needed since more than 100 people are expected to pass through the doors in Edmund Street, Little Horton, over Christmas.

Head of service Michelle Clark said: "We need things like heavy, waterproof coats, socks, stable footwear, hats, scarves and gloves, and good-quality underwear.

"We also need volunteers to work over Christmas, helping prepare and serve meals and sorting through donated items.

"And if anyone has talents such as singing or playing a musical instrument let us know, as we like to provide entertainment and games and a raffle on Christmas Day."

The shelter, which provides immediate and long-term help for the homeless and people in poor housing, will be open on Christmas Day - when there will be a full dinner followed by party games - and on New Year's Day.

To help raise funds, the shelter is holding a Christmas fair on Saturday, 10am-2pm. Funds raised will go towards self-help groups and social activities.

Anyone who would like to donate clothing or volunteer over the festive period is asked to ring (01274) 393234.

Visitors will be able to find out more about a training centre being developed next to the shelter thanks to a £199,000 grant Horton Housing Association received last year from the Big Lottery Fund.

The cash has been used to transform a derelict property into a training centre where homeless and other vulnerable people can prepare for further education and employment.

The shelter, set up by Horton Housing Association 30 years ago, provides a daily hot meal, clothing and blankets, as well as advice on issues such as housing, budgeting, drugs and alcohol.

The shelter also provides courses in information technology, cookery, food hygiene and woodwork. And now work on the next-door property is well underway and it is expected to be a fully-equip-ped training centre by next year.

Courses will include information technology and art and there will be Learndirect and Jobsearch facilities.

Education and training manager Ian Burlison said the new centre, which will be run by paid staff, is aimed at bridging the gap between the existing training unit and educational organisations.

"The training we currently offer is very informal, we encourage people using the drop-in facility to get involved in the education unit but we find when people go on to take courses at college they often find it difficult adjusting to a more structured environment," he said.

e-mail: emma.clayton @bradford.newsquest.co.uk