Established 2005 Registered Charity No. 1110656

Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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December 2024 – January 2025 : Solidarity READ ONLINE

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New Branches shelter

North London charity revamped North London charity Branches, which provided 24-hour drop-in support services to homeless men and women in Walthamstow, is undergoing a significant revamp to provide overnight accommodation for 30 individuals. The charity is providing an already improved service from a new Leytonstone building, while the old one undergoes drastic alteration There is general excitement about the new building, which will hopefully be completed by the end of next year. Peter Baldwin, Branches chief executive, said: "Users will have their own rooms and there will be no more dormitory sharing. We are all really pleased about this. The residents have been getting involved by doing painting and decorating, and are getting excited about having their own space." Of the 30 new hostel rooms, 25 will have their own bathrooms and self-catering facilities, which Baldwin hopes will encourage residents to stay longer than they sometimes do in dormitory accommodation where they may not feel as safe. He is optimistic that this will provide more stability for people sorting out drug, housing or employment problems. As with all change, though, the improvements are not without loss, and funding and staffing shortfalls meant the day centre closed on 3rd July as the improved temporary hostel opened. John Carey, 44, one of the homeless residents already benefiting from new facilities, told his local paper, the Waltham Forest Guardian, about the reactions of the service users. "A lot of people are upset," he explained. "There is a soup kitchen at 8pm, but it is a long wait in the day for that. And having a drop-in centre keeps down crime on the streets." The Forest Road drop-in centre previously provided daily support and shelter for up to 45 people who have struggled to find the same level of help elsewhere. The Fountain of Peace Church, Staffa Road, has provided a welcome alternative. Since the closure of Branches, it has set up a shelter. and offers cooked meals and English lessons to its users.
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December 2024 – January 2025 : Solidarity

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