The first hostel in Calderdale was held between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day last year at the YMCA, Crossley Street, Halifax. It was organised and staffed by the Calderdale User Forum, an action group run by ex-drug and alcohol users.
Michelle Foster, secretary of the forum’s committee, said: “Last year’s shelter proved to be a valuable resource for the socially excluded in Calderdale.” Two people were helped to find housing and many others who would otherwise have been alone or on the streets turned up for a bit of company and food. About 30 people had Christmas dinner at the hostel. This year the shelter will open from Christmas Eve until the evening of Christmas Day.
The plan is to provide three meals, entertainment and beds for those in need. The project will be staffed by church organisations and volunteers. Opening times have been arranged after consultation with other organisations including the Salvation Army, which holds a Boxing Day dinner at its Halifax branch in St James Road. Paul McNally, corps officer, said the dinner was for people who would otherwise be alone over Christmas.
They are picked up by volunteers at 11.30am for coffee and biscuits, a three-course meal, a visit from Father Christmas, carol singing and a quiz, and are dropped off home at about 3.30pm. Calderdale User Forum runs a twice-weekly breakfast club at the YMCA, providing a free full English breakfast to the needy. They have seen attendance jump from 30 to 40 people at each session to between 60 and 80.