Winter accessories appeal for homeless as temperatures dip

As temperatures dip, one corps appeals for winter accessories to gift to homeless this Christmas

The Salvation Army in Blackpool has launched an appeal for winter accessories as temperatures take a dip across the region.

The corps, which is located on Raikes Parade in Blackpool, has appealed for scarves, hats, gloves, socks and sleeping bags to be donated so they can provide warm gift packages to users of its on-site homeless drop in provision, The Bridge Project.

The corps-based project which supports the rough sleepers of Fylde Coast, operates a drop-in service four days a week, Monday to Friday, excluding Wednesdays, from 12:30pm 51 weeks of the year for people experiencing homelessness and in times of crisis, and they are appealing to the public to help the homeless be warm this winter.

The appeal comes as temperatures look set to plummet, and it also follows a rise in demand for the service which has seen numbers of homeless people accessing the provision increase steadily over the course of the year. Captain Naomi Clifton, church leader of The Salvation Army in Blackpool, said: “As the cost of living continues to spiral, people are finding themselves in desperate situations and we’re finding more people are in crisis than ever before and demand for our homeless support service continues to rise compared with figures from last year.

“We’ve had mild winter weather up to now, but as the temperatures look set to take a turn for the worse and as we get closer to Christmas, we’re providing gift packages to the clients that use our service with accessories to keep them warm, which is vital in helping keep them safe in the cold weather. We gratefully welcome all donations so we can continue to serve those in need.”

Donations of hats, scarves, gloves, socks and sleeping bags are to be dropped off at The Salvation Army in Blackpool and a team of volunteers and staff will then sort and distribute the packages.

Users of The Bridge Project have access to showering and laundry facilities, clothing support, telephones, signposting and a hot and healthy meal with a drink, and this Christmas will see its doors open once again on Christmas Day for current clients and those experiencing homelessness to enjoy a hot Christmas dinner.

This year The Bridge Project will also be open between Christmas and New Year on Thursday, December 29, and Friday, December 30, from 9: 00 am – 11:00 am for the Homeless Hub and 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm for hot dinners. 

The Bridge Project, which has been supporting rough sleepers within the Blackpool community for over 20 years, since its launch in 2002 by The Salvation Army, is one of the biggest support networks in the Lancashire town for over 26 year olds.