A donation of more than 50 sleeping bags and a range of winter clothing has been welcomed by the local homeless charity the Welcome Organisation.

The sleeping bags and heavy winter coats were handed over by members of the Workers Party in response to an appeal for practical help for homeless people ahead of the winter months.

“Homelessness remains an almost forgotten problem”, local Workers Party member Conor Duffy said, “yet the Welcome Organisation alone helps around 1400 people in the Belfast area every year”.

“We are delighted to be able to make this contribution to the work of the Welcome Organisation and to be able to offer even a small amount of practical aid to the people they support”, said Conor.

“Providing practical support to people who are homeless is vital, particularly during the winter months, but so too is addressing the causes and consequences of homelessness. Much needs to be done to provide increased accommodation, support services and counselling for people who are homeless as well as funding and assistance for bodies like the Welcome Organisation which provide them with help, support and advice”, Conor added.

Speaking on behalf of the Welcome Organisation, Kieran Hughes said

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Workers Party for this very generous donation to The Welcome Organisation. We couldn’t deliver the level of service we do without the support of the public and organisations like the Workers Party. This donation will have a real and positive impact on our work and in turn on the lives of the people affected by homelessness in Belfast.”

The work of the Welcome Organisation

The Welcome Organisation provides a Drop-in Centre which is open every day of the year, 365 days per year.

It gives people affected by homelessness free access to: Hot meals, tea and coffee, showers, toilets, internet access, laundry facilities advice and health support.

It also runs a Street Outreach team around Belfast from 7am to 2am every day of year.