Press release -
Volunteers Wanted for Poole Homeless Drop-in Centre
Poole homeless charity, Routes to Roots, is appealing for volunteers to help at their daily drop-in sessions at the United Reformed Church in Skinner Street in Poole. The weekday sessions offer a vital service for Poole’s rough sleepers and vulnerably housed, by providing them with a hot lunch and outreach support. More than 20 people are now accessing this service with numbers increasing every week.
Volunteers play a crucial role and without them, the charity would not be able to offer the level of support that they do. Additional help is currently required in the kitchen between 12.30 and 3.00 pm to make lunches and clear up afterwards. The charity is asking for anyone interested in volunteering for this rewarding role, even for just one session, two and a half hours each week, to contact them as soon as possible.
To protect and reassure their support team and clients, Routes to Roots is strictly complying with Coronavirus social distance and hygiene rules and has carried out a full risk assessment to make sure everyone is safeguarded. With clients now welcomed into the hall to eat their meals, numbers are staggered, and records are kept for those without phones for track and trace.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for Routes to Roots should contact their Drop-in Manager and Volunteer Co-ordinator, Andy Mason at andy.mason@routestoroots.org or call the office on 07901 387643 / 01202 667880. For more information about Routes to Roots, visit www.routestoroots.org
ENDS
Media information & interview requests
Susan Gittins
Routes to Roots
Tel: 01202 669331
Karen Bartlett
Saltwater Stone
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Routes to Roots
Poole-based charity Routes to Roots was founded in 2002 to support local rough sleepers and the vulnerably housed and is dedicated not just to providing day-to-day support but also access to outreach services to help those in need make long-term change. Through its Amos House facility, it provides three short-term supported housing units, helping residents make the transition from life on the street to more permanent homes.
The Patron of Routes to Roots is The Right Reverend Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne. The Trustees are the Reverend Pat Southgate, Chairman of Board of Trustees and Associate Priest at St Peter’s, Parkstone, Founder Trustee of R2R and Chaplain to the Homeless in Poole, Kate Mellor, Martin Finch, Andrew Teale and the Reverend Lucy Holt.
In February 2020 the charity bought the former Hill Street Baptist Church. Renovations at its future permanent base have begun this month. Once completed, the building will become the centre for all the help and support available to Poole’s vulnerably housed to help them realise lasting positive change in their lives.
Saltwater Stone is working for Routes to Roots on a pro-bono basis. PR, marketing services and advice are being offered to the charity without charge.
