Posted: 12/01/16
Homeless get a helping hand via recycling
A recycling initiative at West Nottinghamshire College has shown dividends and provided much-needed cash for a Mansfield homeless project.
(lr) Garry Checklin, Tony Lee, Alan Sheppard and Angie Pilgrim with this year's donation
For the eighth year running, the print and procurement teams at the college have traded in used printer cartridges for cash – and given the donation to The Hall Homeless Support Project.
A cheque for £700 was presented to Tony Lee, chairman of The Hall Homeless Support Project today (12 January) by print team leader Alan Sheppard and procurement manager and procurement officer Angie Pilgrim and Garry Checklin.
The homeless project, which is now in its twentieth year, provides drop-in sessions every Monday from 9.30am-11.30am and on Tuesdays from 6.30pm-8.30pm at St Peter’s Centre, on Churchside, where people can receive breakfast or an evening meal, hot drinks, showering facilities, food parcels and clothing.
Sessions often cater for up to 35 homeless people, with a recent one in the run-up to Christmas bringing more than 50 through its doors.
Just two years ago the project employed five members of staff. Now, following cuts to external grant funding, it is run by a team of 12 dedicated volunteers who rely entirely on donations.
Chairman Tony Lee said: “It’s absolutely brilliant and even more important now due to my paid staff having been made redundant. We are fully-run by volunteers – some from church, some from the community and some from West Notts College.
“As a drop in centre, the door is open to anybody. People can call for a hot meal, a drink, freshen up in the shower room. We also work closely with the food bank as we get kind donations of bread, fruit and vegetables from Sainsburys. What we don’t use, we pass on to the food bank.
“I’m really amazed at how the volunteer work is going at The Hall – I’m so delighted with the help. This cash from the college will help to cover overheads and day-to-day running. For example, this week we have used 22 litres of milk in one session – it soon mounts up! So thank you once again to West Notts for your kindness.”
Since 2008, West Nottinghamshire College has supported the charity by recycling ink cartridges and has raised a grand total of £2,467.86.
For further information about The Hall Homeless Support Project or to support the charity, contact Tina Barnes on 01623 428775 or email mail@stpeters-centre.co.uk
