Future of homeless drop-in centre uncertain - The Stratford Observer

Future of homeless drop-in centre uncertain

Stratford Editorial 14th Mar, 2019   0

THE FUTURE of a homeless drop-in centre in Stratford hangs in the balance.

The Link Project, run by Stratford District Council and based in Waterside, is closed until further notice while an independent agency looks into the service.

It follows incidents where ‘luckily’ no one was hurt, as previously reported by The Observer. Council chiefs have not given any more details about what happened.

A statement on the project’s Facebook page reads: “The safety of our service users is of paramount importance to us so due to recent incidents, in which luckily no-one was hurt, we have decided to close Stratford Link Project until further notice so that we can review safety procedures.”




It is hoped the review will be completed by the end of March and a re-opening date will depend on the findings.

The centre provides help, support and advice to rough sleepers, those in temporary housing and people who are socially isolated. This includes access to showering and washing facilities, food and drink and donated clothing.


Some services provided at the centre are being run from alternate locations including a soup kitchen at St Gregory’s Church on Tuesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm and at the United Reformed Church on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 2pm.

Link users can also get support and treatment referrals from rough sleeper officer Ann Johnson at the council offices.

Those in need of support can visit her at the council’s Elizabeth House headquarters in Church Street on weekday mornings.

* Other organisations also offer support to homeless and vulnerable people including P3 Charity – housing-related support service for over 25s in Warwickshire (0808 164 6220), St Basils – housing-related support for those aged 16 to 25 in Warwickshire (call 01789 332 540), CGL (Change, Grow, Live) – alcohol and drug treatment centre – 16 Court Street, Leamington (01926 353513), Citizens Advice Bureau – 25 Meer Street, Stratford (01789 200136), and JobCentrePlus – Martin Raff House, Alcester Road, Stratford (0345 604 3719).

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