Many People struggle at Christmas with money and the cold especially with the cost of Living, but for those who are experiencing mental health difficulties, recovering from addiction, or sleeping rough, Open Door is a charity there to offer warmth, food and somewhere to relax.
According to government statistics, it is believed that 22 people per night are sleeping rough in autumn as late of 2022 in Cheltenham and Gloucester. As winter months approach, it will only get harder for people who have no where to go and nobody to turn to.
Open Door wants to change this and offer a Christmas experience in the warmth, between 9 am and 6 pm on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. They will have their doors open at their Guest Hub on Alstone Lane to offer three meals a day as well as snacks and drinks. Guests can access Chiropody, hairdressing and showers including toiletries and towels. There is a television, board games and entertainment. A clothing store will also be made available. To make this Christmas special, there will be Christmas trees, a Christmas dinner and gift bags for every guest. Anyone is welcome as there is no booking, referral or ID and everything on offer is free. Many guests describe Open Door as like “visiting a friend’s house”.
Open Door relies entirely on donations. If you would like to help this incredible charity, by making a financial donation, click on the link here for easy ways to donate. There are many other donations Open Door would appreciate such as food items they can use all year round like tinned meat and fish, tinned ready meals, chocolate or biscuits. For their Christmas dinner, they are in need of ingredients such as gateaux, bacon and bread. You could also donate items to help fill a gift bag. Make sure they are unwrapped but marked as gifts. Such as edible treats, small, practical gifts (i.e., charger or hot water bottle) or nice treats. The only thing they cannot accept is alcohol, medication or anything with blades unless they’re safety razors.
Please click here for their website if you’d like to find out more/ donate/ volunteer.
