Member Article

The City of Liverpool College opens its doors to the city's homeless

This week, more than one hundred of the city’s homeless people were treated to a three-course Christmas dinner, free haircuts, donated clothes and advice and guidance from external partners.

The event was supported by The City of Liverpool College’s staff, student volunteers, and Students’ Union, in addition to representatives from businesses including Brabners, who came along to provide a helping hand.

The event was organised by the College’s Student Engagement Team along with students and volunteers, in response to the rising homeless population in Liverpool, after Shelter recently reported that there are over 320,000 across the country who are currently homeless.

Students from across the college were involved, from Air Cabin crew students serving meals, to professional cookery students leading the catering, beauty therapy students providing treatments and hairdressing and barbering students offering free haircuts.

Guests were also treated to a visit from therapy dogs, who were on hand to provide some much-needed company and a friendly face to the city’s homeless community during this festive period.

In addition, visitors were presented with donations from businesses such as Co-op and Lidl, students, staff and volunteers, and were each presented with a hat, gloves and thermals to keep them warm during the winter months, as well as being offered hot showers, fresh underwear and toiletries.

Tony Cobain, Chair of The City of Liverpool College, said:

“Christmas isn’t a happy time of year for everyone and for some, it can be an incredibly difficult, lonely time. We hope that our ‘Open House’ event goes some way to giving these vulnerable people joy during the festive season and reminding us all of the importance of forging real, human connections.

“We know how powerful acts of kindness can be, which is why we always encourage our students and staff to volunteer and take part in activities such as this to support those who are less fortunate.

“We’re so grateful to all of the students, volunteers and organisations who took the time to give back as part of our local community and give the city’s homeless a much-needed boost.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The City of Liverpool College .