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22 September 2011

Seeing the need

Seeing a gap in provision for those needing food at the weekend, a group of 11 churches came together to help Wrexham's homeless and now hope to expand.

Mission Wrexham, a group of local churches in the area, and Youth with a Mission (YWAM) created 'Feed the Roofless' five years ago in response to the growing need of the town's homeless not having access to food on days when other agencies could not provide.

With the service having gone from strength to strength with more churches being involved and good relations with other care providers in the town being developed, they are now hoping to expand further.

Currently hosted in the Salvation Army building in Wrexham, teams serve at the weekends, Bank Holidays and between Christmas and New Year, and hope to start a service on Thursday evenings.

Says Geraint Owens from Feed the Roofless: "The focus is on providing physical sustenance and opportunities arise to enter in conversation with our friends [who visit the service]."

Many people using the food provision have issues with drug or alcohol dependency. By working with other groups in the town, Feed the Roofless are then also able to refer people to Wrexham Salvation Army and Regent Street Methodist Church at weekends and other agencies during the week for further help.

The group hope that a proposed day centre for the town will also be able to house Feed the Roofless and that they will be able to operate out of any new facility that is created.

With the churches providing for vulnerable people in the town, other support agencies also see them as an intrinsic part of an important service. 

Says Geraint: "We are now clearly seen as an important player in the provision of services for the Roofless in Wrexham and we work hard to retain our friendly links with other agencies."

He adds: "The biggest boost [in doing this work] is to realise that there is overall care provision, says Geraint, with each agency playing it own, vital, cog-like part."