Harbour Place ‘incredibly lucky’ with ‘fantastic support’ after 25 years
Local homeless charity Harbour Place have said that they are “incredibly lucky to have fantastic support” from the “caring and generous” local community as they approach their 25th anniversary.
Opening in December 1996, Harbour Place have been committed to helping the homeless in North East Lincolnshire, who have a higher rate of homelessness than the national average.
“When Sister Hilda Baxter and the late Mr Fred Brown founded and opened Harbour Place 25 years ago, I’m sure they were focused on meeting what they saw as an immediate need,” Robin Barr, Project Director at Harbour Place told Gi Media.
“However, it was their drive, energy and commitment, together with the support of a fantastic group of Volunteers that sustained Harbour Place in those early years and created a fantastic base for others to build upon and progress,” he continued.
In 2018, they opened the area’s first full time night shelter facility, open 365 days a year, including a critical December period.
Harbour Place also act as a crucial support and Robin speaks of how “rewarding” it is to someone “move off the streets” and into their “own home.”
“It has been brilliant to see people move ‘off the streets’ and enjoying the benefits of their ‘own home’ something that most of us take for granted.
“It is also rewarding to see someone’s confidence and self-esteem grow, and to watch people make positive choices and changes for themselves.
Everyone at Harbour Place is extremely proud of the work the organisation has done over the last 25 years, helping people in need.”
However, the charity can not do this themselves, and Robin praises the “fantastic support” from the “caring and generous” local community.
“We are incredibly lucky to have had fantastic support from the local Community throughout the 25 years and have always found the people of North East Lincolnshire to be caring and generous.
“The whole Community, church groups, local schools and local businesses have all given us great support, whether collecting food for us at Harvest Festival time, responding to appeals like our recent appeal for socks or making generous financial donations.”
Harbour Place are always keen for people in the community to show their support, and Robin explains how you can help them:
“If people do want to support our work, or would be interested in becoming a volunteer, then they can find details on our website or Facebook page.”
If you are concerned about someone who you think may be homeless or are sleeping rough, you can contact the charity on 914027 355234.
Alternatively, you can contact the Local Authority’s Homelessness Prevention Service on 01472 326296 (option 1).
Contact Gi Grimsby
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
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