Homelessness charity 'Back on Track' after pandemic - The Leamington Observer

Homelessness charity 'Back on Track' after pandemic

Leamington Editorial 24th Sep, 2020   0

A HOMELESSNESS charity says it is back on track after being forced to close its doors due to the pandemic.

The Salvation Army’s Way Ahead Project in Leamington has been providing takeaway lunches and food parcels to rough sleepers in temporary accommodation, as well as many of its regular visitors.

But it is now preparing to reopen its ‘Back on Track’ pop-up cafe to allow service users and the community meet face-to-face.

Project manager Yvonne Mckinnon said: “We know lots of our regular visitors are nervous about being out and about so we’ve not been able to maintain the relationships we have built up over many months in the way we usually do. These relationships are essential if we are to keep people in accommodation. Having somewhere safe and familiar where they can come and chat to us is really important as it will allow us to get those relationships back on track.”




The cafe will run every weekday except Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

It operates on a ‘pay what you can’ basis so those in need do not have to pay but others can make a contribution.


Yvonne added: “We’re beginning to have contact with new people who are struggling financially. As the furlough scheme comes to an end and the eviction ban is lifted, we expect many people will find themselves inadvertently homeless because of the financial impact of the lockdown. We want to offer them a chance to share a cup of tea with us so we can help sort out their problems before they get so bad that they lose their homes. We want to get them back on track as well.

“We also want to celebrate being part of the wonderful Old Town community so would be delighted to see local residents who might not need our services but who want to support us at this time.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WayAheadProjectAppeal to donate and support the project.

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