Assistance from Open Door Centre in Devon

Providing assistance to low income people who drop in, as well as reaching out to the homeless, the Open Door Centre is a local charity that relies on volunteers and donations to help the vulnerable. They offer many services for the needy in Devon, including meals from a cafe, and can also provide free advice for addressing the cause of the hardship.

Any type of practical support from Open Door is combined with free advice and information from their support workers. People that are struggling or on a low income can learn about benefits available to them as well as how to overcome their hardship, whether it is homelessness or other debt problems. This support from the charity is provided for free to the clients.

Free food and meals from Devon Open Door Centre

A cafe is at the drop in centre, and it is open three days per week. There will be free snacks given out, but a full meal will have a small cost associated with it. It will be healthy and meet the client’s nutritional needs. If the individual meets eligibility conditions set by Open Door, then the charity may provide a voucher to a local food bank.

People who use the cafe can also have a person to talk too, and it can be a volunteer or a trained support worker. They can either just be there to listen and provide positive support, or the individual can receive more formal assistance, such as help in understanding and applying for benefits.

Practical support, free clothes and other assistance

More practical support is at the location too, and this is a service provided. This may be clothing such as boots and coats, bedding, or clients can use the showers or laundry. School uniforms and other supplies may be provided too. While the aim is really on the homeless in Devon, anyone from the community that needs a helping hand can use these programmes. So the drop in centre is the charity’s access point for all of their services.

This may be provided in partnership with other groups in Devon. If someone is hungry and on a low income, then the support will involve a voucher to a local food bank. Or Open Door Centre will refer a homeless person seeking a new home to a council scheme, so the aid is coordinated with other groups.

Other forms of support are offered too, around housing advice as well. There are also computers and phones that people can use to search for jobs or gain skills, and staff offer training around life skills and numeracy as well. If the charity can’t help, they will signpost the client to another organisation that may be able to, whether it is a charity or government agency. Find more details on free school supplies.

ICE is the name of a service that helps the youth in Devon. The aim is to help those considered at risk, as maybe they are homeless or substance abusers. Workers from the charity will provide the young people with guidance and advice, with a goal of increasing their self-esteem and getting them on the right path. It addresses all of the needs of the younger person.

Volunteers and churches from the region take part in the services provided. The Open Door Centre is at Church Street, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1PE. Call 01395 224218 for information or drop in.