World Homeless Day town event

IT’S World Homeless Day tomorrow (Thursday, October 10) and an invite has been sent out to the community to join in with a special event.

Hosted by the town’s Falcon Services charity, the awareness event, from 9.30am to 1.30pm, is being held at its Pinfold Gate centre, Loughborough.

A spokesperson for the centre said: “We would like to invite the community to join us to celebrate the work being done to tackle homelessness in Charnwood.”

The day will see representatives from partner agencies; Charnwood Borough Council, The Bridge, Nottingham Community Housing Association, Exaireo, Marios Tinenti Centre, Armed Forces Covenant and others.

They’ll also be information stalls and food and drinks available.

Falcon Support Services, is a registered charity providing 83 bed spaces in supported accommodation, accommodating 319 individuals in the last year, and community projects to those that are homeless or vulnerable in the community such as the Drop In.

The ‘Drop-in’ is a service open to all, meeting vital needs in the community for those that are homeless, at risk of homelessness or socially isolated.

The charity spokesperson added: “In the last 12 months the Drop In has received 5,260 visits, served 3,853 meals and supported 441 individuals.

“The Drop-In is reliant on dedicated volunteers, and provides services including shower facilities, toiletries, care of address, storage lockers for rough sleepers, food, use of a washing machine, clothes donations and specialist support, signposting and completing referrals to try and prevent rough sleeping and social isolation.”

As winter is approaching, the charity is encouraging good quality donations of warm clothes, coats, shoes and sleeping bags along with other items that can be found on their website www.falconsupportservices.org.uk

Any of the donations can be dropped off at 53-55 Queens Road, Loughborough, LE11 1HA.