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Bedding down to help homeless

2nd December 2008

Staff and residents from a project in Rhyl which supports young homeless people will be joining with the manager of the White Rose Shopping Centre and others for a sponsored ‘bed-down’ at the shopping centre on Saturday night.

The event has been organised by Y Dyfodol, a project for homeless young people managed by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, and The White Rose Shopping Centre, to raise the profile of homeless issues and to raise funds for residents on the scheme.

Mr Richard Henderson, manager of the White Rose Centre, has championed a number of events and projects in partnership with Y Dyfodol, including an innovative Work Trial initiative.
“Homelessness is an issue that affects people of all ages, through no fault of their own, all year round, but it can be obviously be particularly harrowing during the Winter months, “ said Mr Henderson who experienced homelessness himself as a young man in Edinburgh.

“The White Rose Centre has made Y Dyfodol in Rhyl its charity project this year and we are working with the project to help break down barriers and raise awareness about homeless issues, particularly those facing young people, added Mr Henderson,

The ‘bed down’ event has attracted support from many within the community  with local churches providing food for the night and the police promising to come along to show how they would normally move people on from sleeping rough.
Sponsiorship for the night has come from Ryhl Business Group, Job Centre Plus, Supporting People, Retailis in the White Rose Centre, members of Rhyl Golf Club and Rhyl Town Council. Iceland Frozen Foods store in both their Rhyl and Colwyn Bay branches have also been raising money to support the event.

“We have been overwhelmed with the fantastic response that local people have given, and we are particularly grateful to everyone at the White Rose Centre for their support,” said Vivien Edwards, Life Skills Coordinator for Y Dyfodol.

The ‘bed-down’ night on Saturday day night will run from 7 pm to 7 am.