Caring for homeless people in Norwich during the coronavirus epidemic

published on 1 Apr 2020

Norwich Citadel illustration
Norwich's Salvation Army has been supporting people who are homeless in the city centre as well as those who need comforting during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nicola Darkins heads up the church and charity’s homelessness services in Norwich at the Pottergate ARC centre.

She has introduced new measures to keep the centre open during the pandemic in line with government advice.

“Our Pottergate ARC centre is an essential service for people who are homeless in Norwich because it offers toilets, washing facilities, food and drink" said Nicola and added:

"We have put measures in place to keep Pottergate ARC open in response to the government’s public health advice so that we can continue to serve people who are homeless in Norwich during the pandemic while protecting them and our volunteers. We’ve introduced measures such as limiting the numbers of people inside the centre, temperature checks and using hand gel.” 

“At Pottergate ARC we’ve been providing meals, hot drinks, shower and washing facilities, practical advice and pastoral support for people who are sleeping rough. In the evenings, instead of providing food from the Haymarket as we would do under normal circumstances, we have been making sandwiches and distributing them from Pottergate ARC for people to take away during the day” added Nicola. 

Pottergate ARC is located at 28 Pottergate in Norwich city centre.

The Salvation Army is also providing support for people in Norwich city centre from its church on St Giles Street which is run by Majors Andrea and Mark Sawyer.

 “The Salvation Army works some of the most vulnerable people in Norwich and we know that we are needed now more than ever – as an Army, we will not retreat. Anyone needing our support at this time can contact The Salvation Army church on St Giles Street by calling 01603 620747” said Major Andrea.

“We are also very grateful for the support of our church family and the wider church in Norwich who are reaching out to support those who are most vulnerable and isolated at this time. As a church we are asking everyone to pray each day at 12 noon for all the people in our city and around the world affected by coronavirus” she concluded.

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