Open Door services in Milton Keynes

There are many services provided by Open Door and the charity has multiple sites in Buckinghamshire County. They will focus their programmes, such as the learning project, on people that are either vulnerable housed or sleeping rough. So the charity helps the most disadvantaged in the community.

Open Door runs these centres with many other agencies in Milton Keynes, and they mainly include the Salvation Army as well as the YMCA. One location is at Ramsons Avenue, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes, MK14 7BA, and this location is only open on Monday. Another drop in centre is at Queensway Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley, and this site is open other days of the week. Both of them offer the same services to the needy.

When using a location, any requests for food parcels are addressed. The volunteers at Open Door will serve the client a meal as well as hot drink. This is only offered for people that drop in before noon. So that is available just for that day. If a family needs more longer term support, then vouchers are given to local Buckinghamshire foodbanks.

Guests of Open Door centres are given other assistance as well. There are more practical needs met, and it will depend on what the person requests. The homeless in Milton Keynes may be given a blanket to sleep on, or those in poverty can be given clothing. Toiletries are also generally provided to the homeless, and they also have access to a laundry and facility for doing laundry.

Free advice and information is always available as well. This is for anyone that is vulnerable. So Open Door does not restrict this to the homeless. So of the main topics covered are as follows.

• Housing needs – Support will range from information on applying for benefits to signposting to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which is now provided by a partner organisation known as Homebond. Find the locations of other agencies in Buckinghamshire for deposit help.
• Health care is arranged by other agencies that use the Open Door drop in centre. They will provide services to the homeless. Substance abusers are also part of this.
• Training and employment – Specialists will offer everything from advice to assisting with gaining new skills.
• Learning project assists clients with gaining new skills for employment.

All guests of the drop in centre are encouraged to use the services above. This are important to gaining independent living, and even just increasing confidence can be a benefit.

All programmes are limited, as the charity relies on donations such as those from John Lewis, MK Community Foundation, and others such as the Guinness Midsummer Housing Association. All of these groups want the vulnerable to feel confident and work towards independent living. The three main offices are as follows.

• 402 North Row, Milton Keynes, MK9 2NL. Call the YMCA at 07873841310 for details.
• Conniburrow Drop-in is at Ramsons Avenue, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes, MK14 7BA.
• The last location is Queensway Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley, MK2 2HB.