Homeless support group earns charity status

A project set up to help Windsor's homeless has celebrated its fifth year in existence.

The Homeless Project hosts three weekly luncheons for people living on the streets - two at Windsor Baptist Centre in Victoria Street with a third at St Stephen's Hall in Vansittart Road.

Windsor Christian Action runs the Homeless Project, and was awarded charitable status in October.

It also oversees Windsor's Street Angels, whose volunteers provide support and help to late night revellers coming out of the town centre clubs at the weekend.

A reception held at the Baptist Centre on Monday celebrated the new charity status.

Guests included the Deputy Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead, Cllr John Lenton, and Deputy Mayoress Margaret Lenton, Police Community Support Officer David Bullock, chairman of Windsor Christian Action David Dadswell, and Baptist Church minister Mark Richardson.

Susan Hinds, who is a trustee of the Christian Association and and secretary and volunteer with the Homeless

Project said: "Last year we were attracting 67 people to our lunches. Some would just come once or twice but there was a solid core of 30.

"We offer a safe place to come for companionship and friendship.

"We have also helped 11 people who might have been sleeping rough into accommodation."

The Homeless Project was started in 2009 after a rough sleeper died outside Holy Trinity Church.

It now employs a project support worker, Sally Wright, who works with guests at the lunches addressing issues ranging from mental and physical health to drug and alcohol use, financial management and finding a home.

Visit here for details.