How Wiltshire rough sleepers are getting back on their feet

That’s the goal of Devizes Opendoors, a charity set up to help find solutions to homelessness in the town and offer support to those who are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness.

A team of volunteers, including operations manager Nadia, work hard to provide hot meals, drinks, and support to the 15 to 30 guests who visit the group’s home at the Southbroom Centre on Victoria Road.

Emma originally came to the centre as a guest but has since returned as a volunteer after improving her own circumstances.

The kitchen volunteers at Opendoors (Image: Newsquest)

Emma said: “I’ve been coming about 20 years all together, I first came as a guest after I ended up losing my place.

“I was homeless for about four and a half years, and they helped me in that time, they would help with everything.

“I ended up getting a place in town but I would still come back here, I could explain what the other guests needed, and eventually I ended up volunteering.”

Emma and guest services manager Angie said the centre was a vital safe space for vulnerable individuals.

“It helps my mental health coming here, the guests and the volunteers know each other and they would do anything for you”, said Emma.

“It makes a lot of difference to people’s day.”

Angie added: “It’s a nice place to be able to socialise, it’s like a family.”

As well as providing food and hot meals, Opendoors also stores surplus clothing, shoes, toiletries, and sanitary products.

Visitors can take advantage of IT facilities, toilet and shower facilities, one-to-one support, and signposting to useful services, including help with things like pensions, or being put in touch with the rough sleeper team.

The team is even now able to provide a bike for those who need to travel for work.

Cllr Jonathan Hunter, a trustee of the charity, says Opendoors strives to offer any service that could “enrich the lives of the most vulnerable” in the community.

He added: “We are totally focused on supporting social inclusion for some of the most vulnerable people in our society, as we develop our services”.

Opendoors regularly opens on Mondays from 11am to 1pm, Wednesdays from 9.30am to 11.30am, Thursdays from 11am to 1pm, and Fridays from 5pm to 6.30pm.