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SIFA Fireside serves thousands of free breakfasts and lunches each day to the low income and homeless in Birmingham. In addition to that form of support, the charity organisation provides many other services to both people living in poverty, ranging from information on deposit schemes to benefits and shelters or job programmes from Changing Lives.

Anyone that is struggling can stop by the SIFA Fireside drop in centre. The charity has found that most of the clients have a health problem, are jobless, or are alcohol abusers. There are some other individuals though that drop in. Often they just need a place to learn about both charity and government schemes that can help them when they are threatened by a financial crisis.

Drop in centre services

The centre is open five days per week. There are over 50 volunteers that work there are well as 30 part or full time staff. They make up the team that provides services across West Midlands.

Anyone looking for help can use the location, including the homeless. This is where people stop in for a breakfast or meal, and there are over 2000 served per day. The charity can also provide the client a voucher for a local food bank as well, and this can provide the person with a parcel of groceries to last up to 3 days.

While the person is eating the meal provided by SIFA Fireside, they can learn about long term support services. This is part of the gateway schemes run by the organisation. The advice given is confidential and also free.

The expertise from the almost 100 staff members is extensive. The individuals have a wide diversity of backgrounds. They are divided into teams that specialize on offering referrals to different types of programmes to families on a low income.

They have information on schemes provided from the Birmingham City Council such as local welfare. Also, the council is a key partner of SIFA Fireside. The full time team can also signpost clients to everything from energy bill assistance programmes provided by the big six firms to credit counselling and more. Volunteers help with making phone calls to utility companies, landlords, and more.

Families that are housing vulnerable can explore the SIFA Fireside resettlement and tenancy support schemes. The charity does not provide financial aid, but they do have information on where clients can seek help or emergency accommodations.

The specialists from SIFA can refer a homeless person to a shelter in Birmingham. This will not only give the client a bed to sleep in, but items such as clothes and meals are given to them. Other key programmes from the charity will be help in filling for a deposit or housing benefit.

Changing Lives is an employment programme from SIFA. Most of the support is available from the Future Steps weekly club. This is where the vulnerable can drop in at for education. They can also learn about Volunteering opportunities in Birmingham as well as job openings. The staff from Future Steps will also help people create a CV or forms for programmes as well.

For one-to-one help, counseling, and other aid, SIFA Fireside has a post of 48-52 Allcock Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B9 4DY. The phone number is 0121 766 1700.