Charity unveils haven for homeless...and people hit by the recession
8:00am Friday 30th September 2011
A COLCHESTER charity which offers help to everyone – not just the homeless – has celebrated its 15th birthday with the official opening of its new day centre.
Town mayor Helen Chuah was the guest of honour at St Paul’s Hall, in Belle Vue Road, to officially unveil the April Centre day centre. It has actually been up and running for about four months and is already being visited by up to 50 people a week.
It has much more to offer than merely a hot cup of tea, and is not just for the homeless.
Anyone from the community is invited to the centre, where they will find free food, a pool table, table tennis, games, a library and a quiet room, all overseen by seven volunteers and two paid employees.
Dave Egan, the April Centre’s general manager, said it was fantastic to have the centre open, which offers a unique service. He said: “In the current climate of rough sleepers, someone can walk out of their family environment and anything can happen. Where do they go?
“People in night shelters get kicked out in the day and hang around the streets, and idle hands means they might end up doing things they shouldn’t be.
“Although it is only open two days a week, the proof is in the pudding. When the Colchester Night Shelter reported back to us, staff there couldn’t believe the difference in people’s self-esteem.”
Like the charity’s main centre in Mersea Road, Colchester, the April Centre provides things like sleeping bags for those spending nights on the streets.
The Mersea Road drop-in centre operates as the first point of call in the town for someone finding themselves homeless.
It also offers housing advice, help with benefits and dealing with the authorities or police, and emotional and practical support.
But the new day centre has its own credentials.
Colchester mayor Helen Chuah, who cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, said: “Despite all the good work which is done locally to prevent homelessness and the effective way in which all the agencies work together, sadly, there are still people who find themselves homeless and have nowhere to go during the day.
“There are other people, too, who may no longer be homeless, but need a place of warmth and safety and to be able to get individual advice and support.
“This new day centre will certainly do that.”
The building is being leased by the charity.
Thanks to a Colchester Council grant of £8,885, the kitchen has been refitted, secondary double glazing put in, CCTV installed and a fire alarm fitted.
The charity will have to pay £12,000 a year to rent the building, plus Mr Egan estimates it will have to pay another £2,000 in utility bills.
At the moment, it is open between 1pm and 6pm on Mondays and Thursdays, but the charity hopes to be able to extend the days it opens in future.
Anyone wanting to donate to the April Centre or volunteer, go to www.theaprilcentre.com