Big Breakfast at The Spire

Posted by admin in Uncategorized on November 7, 2019 | Big Breakfast, Poole, rough sleepers, Routes to Roots, The Spire

In its tenth year, R2R’s Big Breakfast for rough sleepers has moved toThe Spire community cafe on Poole High Street for the winter months of 2019-20. Deborah Clooney and Debbie Jones at The Fisherman Caféhave provided this vitally important service since 2010. The two ladies have now retired and we are grateful to them for all their support to the guys and to The Spire for stepping in.

Last year the provision ran from November 2018 to March 2019 and was accessed by 34 individuals.

In terms of equipping those sleeping outdoors to cope with the day ahead, this breakfast meal is absolutely vital. It is generally accepted that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it certainly makes it much more likely that the guys and girls will be in a better state to deal with appointments with various agencies such as the Job Centre, DWP, doctors, court appearances, etc.

When asked why it was important to have a cooked breakfast, one of our clients said: “Five nights out of seven there is only cold food available – it gives you one hot meal a day at least – some nights can be rough and it’s good to get camaraderie back – it does lift you after a crap night.” Another has commented that knowing he’s going to get a good meal each morning has meant he has not been thieving to get food.

Following on from the last three years, we will again confine the breakfast provision to the four days when we do not have afternoon drop-ins, to encourage more rough sleepers to engage with those who can help them at the drop-ins. This has proved to be very effective.

If you would like to support this service, please donate through the website or contact the R2R office.