Posted: 11/12/14
Hampers and heartfelt wishes for homeless
Health and social care students from West Nottinghamshire College reached out to the homeless this week with winter hamper boxes (9 December).
Health and social care students with just some of the winter hampers delivered to Framework in Mansfield
A van-load of over 80 gift-wrapped boxes was delivered to Framework, on Sherwood Street in Mansfield by the level two students. The boxes contained tinned and dried food, gloves, socks, hats, toiletries and chocolate which the learners have been making up over the last few weeks.
Framework is a registered charity and housing association that helps to prevent homelessness, stopping rough sleeping and providing new opportunities. The Sherwood Street Centre houses 16 homeless people from Ashfield and Mansfield who have either been sleeping rough or are at immediate risk of doing so.
Eight students represented the classes today to deliver the hampers and met with some of the users of the centre. They discovered how some of the residents had become homeless and how they’re hoping to get their lives back on track.
Health and social care tutor Karen Dalby said: “I’m so proud of our students who have shown empathy and kindness with this project. It’s been teamwork all the way from collecting the products, to packing the boxes and getting the delivery here courtesy of Paul our driver and our thanks go to Clarks and Tesco too.
“We were especially pleased to have met some of the centre’s users and heard their own unique stories of being homeless and to know we are helping in some way is humbling.”
Service manager at the Sherwood Street centre Michelle Hanson said: “These hampers will have a massive impact on the people who use our services. We can provide extra things for people who haven’t got much money to spend on essentials like socks, toiletries and food.
“We have 16 people who live here who were previously homeless and these donations will help them too. The students have been brilliant and have worked very hard, just like last year and it’s very much appreciated.”
