PDS Doorsets supports Petrus' homelessness hub to remain open six days a week

Rochdale company PDS Doorsets has donated £20,000 to Petrus, enabling the local homelessness charity’s hub to remain open six days a week.

PDS first supported Petrus through their Winter Warmer Appeal in December 2022, making a donation of warm clothes and hand warmers, plus essential food for Petrus’ Christmas Dinner.

Since then, the teams have built a strong relationship, with Petrus’ Hub receiving more donations in kind, such as much-needed coffee mugs.

In March, the team at PDS heard Petrus’ funding, which enables their hub to open on Saturdays, was due to finish; as part of the company’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, it decided to donate £20,000 to ensure the hub’s doors remain open.

On Saturday 1 April, Petrus was able to open the hub’s doors thanks to the support of PDS Doorsets and welcomed 30 people at risk of homelessness.

One person accessing the service said: “Homelessness doesn’t go away at the weekend.

“The hub being open on a Saturday is great because it gives me somewhere safe and warm to go and get something to eat and drink.”

Sonia Denham, head of Petrus, said: “We’re very appreciative of the support PDS Doorsets have provided. This kind donation will allow our hub to remain open on Saturdays throughout spring and summer.

“We typically welcome around 30 people on a Saturday, though with the cost of living rising, it’s harder than ever for people to budget for essentials and we anticipate more relying on this service.

“We hope that by opening our hub six days a week, the most vulnerable people living in our communities will have somewhere safe and warm to go, where they can get a free meal and access a wide range of support.”

Tim Fairley, Managing Director of PDS Doorsets, said: “As a team, we are so proud to support Petrus in the community.

“Their work is vital in supporting those in real need, and it is really important to us to ensure that the hub remains open to provide warmth, food and shelter – because people who need support during the week, don’t stop needing support at the weekend.”

Petrus’ Hub is located on Great George Street, Rochdale, and is open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and with the support from PDS Doorsets, the Hub is also open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

At the hub, people can get a hot meal, free shower, housing and benefits advice along with access to free healthcare through Health Alliance Rochdale nurses.

To find out more about Petrus’ Hubs offer, please visit: www.petrus.org.uk/hub