Birmingham brings Christmas to homeless people
- 21 Dec
Birmingham Council has given around 100 youngsters living in four homeless centres across the city parties, toys and games over the holidays.
Elsewhere in Birmingham, senior managers from a local charity cooked up a Christmas lunch for more than 100 homeless people.
Steve Bedser, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said:Christmas should be a special time for children throughout the city but that's sadly not always the case. That's why council staff and volunteers organise Christmas parties every year to make sure these children don't completely miss out on the festive fun. They play party games and of course get to meet Father Christmas.
Top managers from Trident Reach visited one of their homeless hostels in the city to throw a Christmas party, even taking hot food out to rough sleepers on the streets.
Anthony McCool, charity lead at Trident Reach, said:
This Christmas meal with the homeless has become an important tradition for our charity. It is hard work but fun, and is always appreciated by those who enjoy the festive meal. This year was bigger than ever, as we took meals out to other people in the community including rough sleepers in Birmingham.
And it is not just Birmingham bringing the festive cheer to homeless people.
In Vauxhall, Christmas came early for former rough sleepers when they were brought presents in their hostel by local MP Kate Hoey. Residents at Thames Reach Graham House were handed the gifts earlier this week, including books, DVDs and warm clothes.
Tony O Brien, a senior practitioner at the Thames Reach Graham House hostel, said:
The generous and thoughtful contributions of individuals and businesses in the Vauxhall area are very much appreciated by the residents and staff of Graham House.
Frances Cummins, a resident at the hostel, said:
It was great to have visitors and get gifts from the local community.
Source: Inside Housing
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