"Supporters of HARP's Christmas Dinner Appeal for the Homeless"
Local Issues
HARP: Christmas Dinners Appeal F
or the vast majority of us, Christmas means being surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. We’ll be spoiling each other with gifts and fine food. We will enjoy laughter in a safe, secure and warm environment. Yes, Christmas can be a magical time for so many of us. But will we stop to think for one moment about others who are not as lucky, or as fortunate, as we are? HARP does, because so many people within our community who are disadvantaged and vulnerable need the vital support and lifelines that this independent Homeless Charity provides all year round, including Christmas time.
HARP’s Service Operations Manager Gary Turner explains,“Homelessness can be brought about by many diverse circumstances such as family breakdown, domestic violence, abuse, financial difficulties, depression, or mental illness. People who turn to drugs and alcohol then become dependant on these as an escape from the pressures of everyday life, also mostly they find are unable to sustain tenancies and therefore become Homeless. Homelessness can happen to anyone at anytime in their lives and this is usually brought about by unforeseen or tragic circumstances to people from all walks of life. HARP is the safety net for so many people who each have their own HARP is a comprehensive Homeless service based individual story to tell how they found in Southend and Westcliff that assists in helping themselves out on the street”. to positively turn around the lives of between 1,500 – 2,000 people every year. People of all age Gary continues,“When someone arrives at HARP’s groups arrive at the Day Centre, based in Valkyrie Day Centre their needs are immediately assessed Road in Westcliff, distressed and desperate for help, to ensure they receive the very best of help and this also includes many young people from within advice to address the issues surrounding their our local community. own particular circumstances. The next step is to arrange some form of accommodation for them 10 Years Service as quickly as possible to ensure they are not sleeping rough on the streets.Thereafter, through HARP (Homeless Action Resource Project) was formed in 2002 and this year celebrates its 10th help and guidance in ‘Meaningful Activities’ and Anniversary. Also, this year the Charity received the ‘Learning for Life’ programmes, HARP have Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services from the assisted thousands of people into an Queen’s Lord Lieutenant Lord Petre and this independent lifestyle for them to then move on represents the equivalent of an MBE for such and make a worthwhile contribution to the community. Breaking the cycle of Homelessness charitable organisations. DECEMBER 2012
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