Homelessness services in Rochdale stepped up for Christmas

Rochdale borough’s homelessness services are once again being expanded to boost support for vulnerable people throughout the festive period and beyond.

At the heart of the additional winter provision will be extended opening hours at the Petrus Hub, where those experiencing or at risk of homelessness can drop in for food and a shower, welfare support, employment and training advice or just a friendly chat.

Normally open on Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm, the council has put extra cash into this service, which complements funds raised by Petrus, to enable the support to be accessed until 7.30pm each weekday until the end of March 2022. 

The Petrus Hub can be found at 73 George Street, Rochdale, OL16 1QG. People can also call the Petrus team on: 01706 526289.

The HART nursing team will continue to operate from the Petrus Hub. The team are at the hub from 6.15pm to 7.30PM, every Tuesday and Thursday, to offer wound care, help with registering with a GP, physical and sexual health checks, as well as flu and COVID vaccinations (first, second and booster).

On Christmas Day, hot food to eat in and take away will also be available at the hub from 12 – 2pm.

The Petrus Hub is one of many organisations delivering vital help to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness across the borough, with the support of the council.

“Homelessness doesn’t end at 5pm, so having the opportunity to extend our services to help more people to access support and primary healthcare into the evening as an additional effort is fantastic,” said Sonia Denham, Head of Petrus.

“We would like to thank Rochdale Borough Council and our generous supporters and donors for providing the means to enable us to deliver this vital service to people in our borough.”

All local organisations, including the Sanctuary Trust, Stepping Stone Projects, WHAG, Brentwood Day Centre and many others, will also be pulling together to provide extra emergency beds, over and above what is provided throughout the year, to help deal with winter pressures. 

The borough’s outreach team, who operate all year round, will continue to support people in all weathers and at times of day and night to engage with anybody who is sleeping rough and take them to a place of safety.

The team also respond to reports of concerns from members of the public. 

Other Christmas services 

Brentwood Day Centre, Long Street, Middleton

Monday to Friday – 9am to 3pm (closed 27th, 28th December and 3rd January)

Hot dinners are available for people experiencing homelessness. Anyone wanting a sit down meal will need to be double vaccinated, but those who are not can turn up before 11am and order a takeaway meal, to be picked up after 12 noon.

Thursday 23rd December – Brentwood Christmas Party – buffet, karaoke and free raffle with food hampers as prizes. Visitors must be double vaccinated, but those who aren’t can access the buffet as a takeaway. 

Roc and Roll Café, Champness Hall, Drake St

Christmas Eve special, 24 December, 9.30am to 4pm.

Eat in or take away Christmas meal and Christmas box giveaway.

The Soup Kitchen, Champness Hall

Monday, Wednesday and Friday all year round, 12.30-2pm.

Takeaway food and food parcels.

Hebron Church, Falinge Rd

Breakfast served every Friday 10-11am, with a gift box on Christmas Eve.

The Soup Kitchen, the former Rochdale Magistrates Court on the Esplanade in Rochdale town centre

Christmas dinner and takeaway food – Christmas Day – 12-4pm. Food bank parcels can be delivered for those who cannot get out. Please ring Kalsoom on: 07786273841.

Every Tuesday, 5 – 6.30pm and Saturday, 1-3pm, food to eat in and food parcels also available

“Having volunteered with organisations which support people who are experiencing homelessness, I’ve seen first-hand what a valuable lifeline they are,” said Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing at Rochdale Borough Council.

“There are a large range of services in place in our borough to support people all year round, but we know our residents can be particularly vulnerable at this time of year and that’s why we’ve added an extra layer of support for people when they need us the most.

“The reason we’re able to step things up very quickly in Rochdale is because of the many fantastic organisations who work together with us to tackle this important issue.”

Anybody who sees somebody they are concerned about is asked to call 0300 303 8548 (during office hours) or 0300 303 8875 (out of hours).