The Barons Court Project homeless charity has launched a fundraising appeal so it can provide food, showers, laundry and a warm space at Christmas to a growing number of people in our area.
The charity runs the only day centre for people who are homeless or living with mental health problems in our borough.
“The rising cost of living has caused homelessness to skyrocket in the last year,” says Director Michael Angus. “And many will wake up on Christmas day without a place to call home.
“For these people, a visit to our day centre can be the difference between feeling hungry, isolated and forgotten, and feeling warm, welcome, well fed and supported.”
H&F’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Ben Coleman, visited the Barons Court Project this week to support its work. He said: “Christmas is traditionally a time when families come together but for homeless people it can be especially isolating and challenging, mentally as well as physically.
“I've seen at first hand the difference the wonderful Barons Court Project in West Kensington makes to people’s lives. I do hope our compassionate community will support them to help others this Christmas.”
From food to hope
The charity’s unique day centre opens five days during the week from 9am to 4pm so that homeless people can get a hot meal, have their clothes cleaned, take a shower, charge their phones, use a fully equipped computer room and join in numerous wellness activities.
There is also a breakfast club, a physical activity group, a club for women and one for men.
Staff provide a listening ear, help homeless people claim benefits, fill in forms, make appointments to improve their health and do much more that makes their ‘guests’ feel their situation is not hopeless.
You can visit Barons Court Project’s online shop to purchase cards, clothes and bags made by its own social enterprise artists’ collective.
The website also says how volunteers, befrienders and supporters can assist, from donations in kind to becoming a member of the project’s Friends group.
“Coming to the Barons Court Project has helped me when I’ve felt down,” said one recent guest. “When I’ve had a wobble, staff have been supportive and have helped me feel better.”
