Bury: Caritas Red Door's 'transformational' new programme

In the lead-up to World Homeless Day on Thursday, October 10, Caritas Red Door Bury has shared the success of its new, five-day-a-week scheme.

Described as "transformational" by charity staff, the programme offers a mix of cooking, art, craft, and gardening sessions, as well as a walking group.

The aim is to bring positive change to the lives of people experiencing homelessness, those at risk, and those living in poverty.

The programme and its staff provide targeted support for those facing a wide range of social issues (Image: Supplied)

The programme is designed to support physical and mental health and to provide structure to a person’s day.

By spending more time at the centre, participants also "build trust with staff members", enabling the programme to serve as a gateway to Caritas Red Door’s signposting services.

These provide targeted support for those facing a wide range of social issues, including homelessness, poverty, social isolation, and addiction.

The programme has already welcomed more than 80 attendees since its inception, funded by donations from the Financial Options Group.

One participant, Steve, whose name has been changed to protect their identity, has attended a variety of activities, and reported making positive lifestyle changes as a result.

He said: "The activities are great, I never thought I’d enjoy something like this.

"The walks are good too, I’d just be bored otherwise and end up using, but now I don’t even use [take drugs] the night before ‘cos I don’t want to miss it."

Another participant, Sam, who has also had their name changed to protect their identity, has been involved in the gardening sessions and said: "It’s great having the garden here.

"I’ve really enjoyed the sessions and it’s amazing how it’s changed.

"I love just plodding along on my own and doing some weeding and stuff, I find it dead relaxing, definitely helps quiet my head noise that I get."

The programme offers a mix of cooking, art, craft, and gardening sessions, as well as a walking group (Image: Supplied)

Caritas Red Door centre manager, Michael Holmes, said: "Activity sessions are a way of encouraging people to stay beyond our daily meals and develop relationships of trust with our team.

"Thanks to donations from local individuals and businesses such as the Financial Options Group, Caritas Red Door now has the resources needed to run our programme five days a week, enriching the day-to-day lives of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in Bury.

"The programme is functioning as a gateway to transforming lives.

"In fact, 70 per cent of people who registered with us last month, who then participated in at least one activity session, went on to attend one of our advice sessions intended to ensure they could access the help they need to improve their present circumstances."

Financial Options Group Charitable Foundation director, Sarah Kendell, said: "As a local business eager to make a meaningful difference to our community, we have loved being Red Door’s principal corporate sponsor and supporting it to launch this programme.

"We hope the sessions will continue to have a great effect on the long-term wellbeing of Red Door guests and attract more people in need to explore all the services Red Door has to offer."

Caritas is planning a new appeal and campaign set to launch in November and run through the Christmas season.

For more information on how to support Caritas Red Door, contact fundraising@caritassalford.org.uk.