Rochdale Infirmary hosts special event for homeless community

Homeless people and charities received donations of outdoor and winter clothes, shoes and boots, warm socks, hats, scarves and gloves, toiletries and personal items

Over 40 homeless people from the Rochdale area attended a special evening at Rochdale Infirmary set up to check out their health, provide them with some new clothes, and lay on some light entertainment in the run up to Christmas.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mohammed Zaman, also attended, showing his support and speaking with attendees, staff and volunteers.

Rochdale Infirmary is part of the Bury & Rochdale Care Organisation, which is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.

The event took place on Thursday 6 December from 4pm until 6.30pm. The homeless people in attendance were provided with free podiatry, advice from Rochdale Council’s drugs and alcohol team, flu vaccinations and information about housing. Local homeless charity Petrus were also there to offer support and advice to attendees.

There were also free haircuts, Christmas boxes and presents, as well as free essentials such as toiletries, sleeping bags, outdoor and warm clothes, plus hot food and drink available for people to sample.

Kingsway Park High School students and staff were amongst those who donated clothing, food and gifts with the school choir, and cast from the school’s production ‘Oliver’ entertained visitors alongside two other school choirs.

Miss Rawstron, donation organiser for Kingsway Park, said: ‘”The school would like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to the students, parents, carers and staff for their generous donations.”

Jackie Heatley, Assistant Director of Nursing at Rochdale Infirmary said: “It was a fantastic event for a very worthwhile cause and I was touched to see so many people come together to help Rochdale’s homeless.

“It was great to see the homeless enjoying the carol service and tucking into the free food and hot drinks. There were free haircuts, a podiatrist, nurses re-dressing wounds, flu vaccinations, and advice about some serious issues including drug and alcohol use, TB and diabetes.

“Not only was it a fun event, but also very informative one for a lot of those who attended.

“I would like to thank the teams from the hospital, council and community for making this event such a success. The support and commitment from all concerned was very much appreciated and I feel proud that we were able to make a positive difference to people in need.”

It is the second year that Rochdale Infirmary has held this event, which was funded through charitable support from the hospital workforce and local community. Donations included outdoor and winter clothes, shoes and boots, warm socks, hats, scarves and gloves, toiletries and personal items.

The items that were left over after the event were all donated to homeless people and homeless charities.