THE Enterprise Club, student volunteers at the City of Liverpool College and staff volunteers from Signature Living are to host a free Christmas dinner for 100 homeless people from across Merseyside as part of a special Open House event designed to provide support for those who will find the festive season particularly challenging.
The event, which takes place on Monday 19th December, is being sponsored by hotel developer and operator Signature Living whose chefs are giving up their time to prepare the Christmas roast dinner for everyone who attends.
Guests will also be offered breakfast, along with free shower facilities, donated clothing, haircuts, massages and manicures. In the spirit of Christmas, visitors will also receive wrapped gifts, bought as a result of donations from the City of Liverpool College students and staff, and a parcel from Signature Living enclosing a hat, gloves, scarf, and thermals. Younger guests will have the chance to visit Santa in his grotto and even four-legged friends will be looked after, thanks to a special ‘Doggy Hotel’ run by Care for the Paw.
The Open House will see the City of Liverpool College hosting people who are homeless, living in hostels, shelters, care centres, women’s refuges and temporary housing. Families with children are being encouraged to attend, to take advantage of the grotto, gifts, festive films and Christmas music that will be part of the day. The College has promoted the event across the whole of the Merseyside region, calling upon its network of support agencies to get the word out.
Melanie Williams, manager of enterprise at the college, said: “As with previous Open House events, we aim to provide some respite for homeless people or anyone experiencing poverty, disadvantage and uncertainty when it comes to their housing situation but we also want to ensure that people can access advice at the event that will help them to improve their situation as they plan their future. We have a dedicated Advice Zone that guests can visit whilst they are with us.
“Christmas can be a particularly tough time for individuals and families who do not have a place to call home and we hope that Open House will go some way to help ease that situation. We are exceedingly grateful to all of the students and volunteers who are giving their time to make this day as enjoyable as possible for our guests. I would also like to thank Signature Living who are donating gifts, staff time and linens as well as sponsoring the event. Their continued support for the Open House initiative is invaluable.”
Open House Christmas takes place on Monday 19th December at the City of Liverpool College Learning Exchange (Roscoe Street) between 10-4pm.
The College is still appealing for clothing/gift donations, specifically:
* Giftsets for women, men, teens
* Toys for children and teens – both girls and boys
* Winter coats
* Boots and trainers for women and men
* New underwear for men, women
Donations can be dropped off at the donation boxes in the Roscoe Street Learning Exchange reception. Cash donations are also welcome and can be left in the charity bucket at reception. The closing date for donations is Monday 19th December at 9am.
