Middlesbrough drop-in has far-reaching impact supporting 80 a week

A drop-in for people who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness in Middlesbrough is supporting up to 80 people a week.

The Weekly Drop-in, run each Tuesday morning at Middlesbrough Salvation Army, provides a lifeline to many, offering hot food and drinks, warm clothing, access to medical professionals and signposting to further help. 

It is having a far-reaching impact beyond the doors of the church and community centre in Southfield Road, including helping to reduce infection rates of blood borne viruses due to testing taking place there and, as one client says, helping people to stay out of prison. 

Captain Naomi Kelly, who leads the church with her husband Captain Chris, said: “Our Weekly Drop-in sees up to 80 people at a time. Many of our customers will be sleeping rough or living with substance misuse, so we offer hot food and drinks, take away sandwiches, a warm shower, warm clothing, and can connect people up with the local rough sleeping team and addiction support services. What we’ve noticed recently is that we’re seeing a lot more women coming through the doors.  

“We have a nurse, which works well because many of our clients are not registered with the GP and services can struggle to make contact with them, but they know they can find them here. They offer harm reduction and testing for blood borne viruses, which we are told has reduced infection rates because they can offer treatment which stop things spreading.

“It’s not only practical support, we have a wonderful congregation who volunteer with us and are there to offer a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. 

“Our ethos is that we love people as they are. We pray before we open that people feel loved as they come through our doors and they know where that love comes from. It’s about showing God’s love through us.” 

One guest expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from The Salvation Army by vowing to donate to them if he ever wins the lottery. 

Anthony, 55, who is currently homeless, said: “I’ve been coming here for a number of years. I’ve had a lot of difficulties in my life, I’ve been in and out of hospitals and prison, and sleeping rough, but they’ve always been nice to me here and always ask me if I needed anything. I get warm clothing, decent food and a good conversation. 

“Without them, I’d be in jail more, because I’d be hungry and I’d need to eat, it could lead me to steal out of desperation. 

“I think it's a very good organisation. I always said if I won the lottery the first thing I’d do is come here and give them a million pounds.” 

Maggie, 88, found comfort coming to the drop-in after her sister passed away four years ago. She said: “I live on my own after losing my sister, so my granddaughter encouraged me to come down to The Salvation Army. 

"Instead of sitting at home on my own, I’ll walk over here, have a cup of tea and a sandwich and meet people. I really enjoy it and I come for Sunday worship now too. Without The Salvation Army, I’d be sat at home watching telly. It’s a very nice place to come to.” 

The drop-in can only run because of the dedication of volunteers who give up their time to help. 

Volunteer Vera can usually be found handing out sandwiches for people to take away with them. She said: “I love the people that come in, they are such characters. To be able to smile at them and treat them with dignity means a lot. I think when they're on the streets, they are badly treated and face abuse, but they're human beings and need to be treated as such. 

“A lot of our guests are ex-service people who ended up on the streets, and there’s a couple who come in who both had good jobs but because of drugs they ended up on the streets. Addiction and homelessness could happen to anyone.” 

The drop-in runs on Tuesdays between 10am and 12pm. Middlesbrough Salvation Army also runs a debt advice service, a twice weekly advice hour, friendship groups, Sunday Worship and a charity shop.