New home for group helping the homeless

A CHARITABLE business helping the homeless with food, clothing and fundraising is opening a new shop in Oldham.

Shelterwise offers sanctuary and a place of refuge for the homeless — providing food, clean clothing, blankets, hot showers and toiletry packs, and has been helping around 100 visitors every week at its current Wigan branch to feel safe and welcome.

But the sale of the building has forced Shelterwise to relocate - and the company now has a new base at Tommyfield Market, which opens this month.

Shelterwise proprietor Sammy Lloyd said: “We help people sleeping rough to find shelter and get ID, assist with benefits, housing and employment.

“We also explore ways of helping broken families reconnect to ease homelessness. We have a large team of volunteers who give their time willingly.”

While not currently registered as a charity, Mr Lloyd is hoping to do so in the near future.

“We want to root ourselves in the local community and nothing would make me happier than to grow here in Oldham,” he said