Our service this morning in Mossley welcomed Andrea Donnan from East Belfast Missions Hosford House. This is a homeless project that has become dear to our heart in Mossley. As Andrea spoke she told us the charities intention that “everyone has a place to call home”.

The project aims to rebuild lives over a maximum of a 2 year period, providing 26 residents with either a unit with ensuite (of which there are 12), or an apartment with the addition of a kitchen (14 units also on site).

Not only saving lives, this is a massive foundation, giving the opportunity to build and restore the lives of individuals who have possibly spent quite some time surviving alone on the streets. “Having your own space helps bigger issues become smaller issues”.

Additionally the aim is to give people who don’t have basic life skills the knowledge of things like how to pay for electricity. A full list of support can be found on the EBM website. However, most of all, they have someone who cares that they can talk to.

There are life skill projects Hosford also run, some of which can even lead to employment: Gardening project, Cooking and healthy eating projects, Health and wellbeing projects, Art projects, plus one-off projects.

Andrea told us that the biggest project is Street Soccer, now a charity in its own right streetsoccerni.org. “With its training and cup tournaments it gives something to get up for”.

The newest project, Andrea went on to tell us, still in the works, is acquiring properties for private rental. These would be for people who are stuck in impossible situations of not being able to find a housing deposit or guarantor. “The hope is that this project will break down barriers”.

Mossley members have been collecting toiletries and placing them in the trolly in the church foyer for quite some time now. However if you are unsure of the requirements, and want to get involved, please find a list below. Bear in mind the people who receive these items arrive with nothing.

• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Tooth brushes
• Shower gel
• Shampoo / Conditioner
• Hand soap 
• Sanitary products
• Face cloths
• Towels
• Single sheet bedding
• Washing powder
• Washing up liquid 
• Scorers / sponges
• Tea Towels
• Salt and pepper
• Sauces

Monetary donations can also be received for their Hardship Fund.