The door
has been closed for the last time at Lenworth House where
for the past 9 years Maidstone Christian Care has run a
Day Centre for homeless and vulnerable men and women. A
simple service of Blessing has now taken place at our new
home, Maidstone Day Centre, Lily Smith House, This is a
story which started in 1986 when Patricia McCabe and some
of her pupils at Maidstone Girls’ Grammar School
started a soup run for people who were sleeping rough in
the town. In August of 2004 we are opening the
doors to a beautifully furnished and purpose built Day
Centre at Lily Smith House in The
furniture and décor has been carefully chosen to give a
calming welcoming atmosphere which tells our clients how
much they are valued. As well
as continuing to provide food, warmth, advice and
friendship, we will run a resettlement programme which
sets out to help our clients deal with long term problems
such as drug/alcohol dependency and mental health
problems. We will work with English Churches Housing
Group to provide a range of training programmes –
one of which will be IT skills. Whilst working in
partnership we will remain totally responsible for
running and funding the Day Centre. We are ever grateful
for all the support we receive from local churches,
schools and individuals. English
Churches Housing and Maidstone Christian Care are pleased
to announce that the new hostel/day centre complex will
be officially opened by Ann Widdecombe on Monday 13th
September. Because of limited space, numbers will be
restricted at the morning ceremony but visitors will be
welcome to come along to the new Day Centre between Tea and
cakes will be served whilst visitors look around the
centre and chat to clients volunteers and staff. Drivers
please use town centre car parks. Lily
Smith House ME15 6LP www.homelessinmaidstone.org.uk |