Warm welcome for homeless

Homeless people will have a new facility to feel welcome at next week thanks to the efforts of a Warnbro church community.

St Brendan's By the Sea Anglican Community Church will use the girl guides hall on Watts Road in Shoalwater on Fridays between 11.30am and 2pm to offer the needy a place to shower, relax and enjoy a hot lunch.

Church volunteer Andrew Beadle said when he learned Government funding for crisis services had been redirected, he set the wheels in motion for the church to play its part in helping the most vulnerable.

"It seems there are many people willing to help, they're just not sure how to take the first steps," he said.

Mr Beadle said homeless people would initially be invited to lunch in groups of 15 to 20, while the volunteers adjusted to the new working environment.

"We chose Fridays so we would be able to support the other services offering hot meals and showers (Rockingham Salvation Army on Tuesdays), by operating on an alternative day with a bit of a gap between," he said.

"It is coming together very well and we have had a very strong response from people wanting to help."

Homeless advocate Owen Farmer, who has helped the church organise the facility, said he felt blessed St Brendan's had joined the mission to help the homeless.

"All my brothers and sisters that are on the streets are looking forward to coming over and having a new place," he said.

"It is so good that we are finding that within the community there are great people who want to help. I want to give thanks to the parish for stepping up and giving them a chance to have a better quality of life. It truly touches my heart."

Mr Beadle said the church was planning to have an opening for the whole community in August to coincide with Homelessness Week.