Local homelessness charity, Trinity Winchester, put out a call for volunteer chefs to cover their regular cook’s holiday, and have been inundated with support from generous local companies.
Teams from Winchester City Council, Enterprise Car Hire, Amey Construction, Fat Face, First Bite, the University of Winchester, Holiday Inn and Osborne Construction all dedicated a day’s volunteering to help homeless people. (more…)
Barry has been accessing Trinity’s services on and off for nearly 15 years. After being evicted from his family’s council property, he spent a few months sofa surfing with friends and family, and then moved into a caravan where he has been living for many years.
Trinity provided a space to wash himself and his clothing, receive a hot meal, and find advice regarding parking his caravan in new places. Although Barry has worked most of his life as a forklift driver and warehouse worker, his latest job ended a few years ago. Barry accesses Trinity’s job club every Wednesday to look for appropriate jobs and get support in making applications. Barry was unable to open a bank account because he did not have a fixed address, but was able to use Trinity’s contact details and now has a basic bank account.
In the last few months, Barry has been helping to prepare and serve meals in Trinity’s kitchen 3 or 4 days a week. Amazingly he was recently invited to view a flat, where he now lives with his brother, after long-term intervention from his key worker at Trinity.
“Trinity is an inspiring place, there are a few members of staff who have really encouraged and helped me. I have been given jobs to do in the past, like helping with the gardening or putting together new furniture. If you are willing to help yourself, Trinity is a fantastic place to come. I would like to gain full time employment in a kitchen, but will stay in touch and continue volunteering at Trinity.” (Barry, November 2016)
As I tuck myself in bed at night
I think of others with an awful plight.
They wander streets and are lonely:
No real meal, bed or company.
How can it be in this century
With a welfare state In this country?
I know for some it may be choice,
But most I fear, just have no voice.
They lose their job, and fate follows
Their family unit then unravels,
This leads to a loss of the home
Next thing you know they’re on their own.
It must be hard to get back on track
When “no fixed abode” is your home shack.
You can see the attraction of prison
Where meals and shelter are a given.
With thanks to Fiona Mobbs, Personal Poet, for giving this poem to Trinity.
View more of her work at www.personalpoetfiona.co.uk
Usual Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4pm
Saturday 9am – 11am (Rough Sleepers & Nightshelter guests Only)
Christmas 2016
December
Saturday 24th 9am – 11am
Sunday 25th CLOSED
Monday 26th 9am – 11am
Tuesday 27th 9am – 11am
Wednesday 28th – Friday 30th 8:30am – 4pm
Saturday 31st 9am – 11am
January
Sunday 1st CLOSED
Monday 2nd January 9am – 11am
Tuesday 3rd January – Usual service resumes
Trinity’s AGM is coming up on Thursday 20th October, 7pm, at Bradbury House, SO23 8DX.
You would be very welcome to join us and learn more about our history, the work over the last year, and what are Trinity’s plans for the future.
View the Agenda here
View the AGM Notice here
Please let Sue McKenna, Operations Director, know if you can join us for what promises to be a lovely evening.
Trinity are delighted to announce a life-changing donation of £500,000, from the DEFLOG VQ Trust. It’s an incredibly generous sum which will enable us to expand and develop our work at a time when demand for our services is increasing and funding is becoming more difficult to secure. (more…)