Charity opens hub for homeless people
BBCA hub where homeless people can get help, take a shower and have a hot drink has opened in Goole.
The Hub, on Boothferry Road, is run by volunteers from the charity Help the Homelezz.
The organisation was founded by Mark Penn who has experienced homelessness previously.
Penn said the centre offered hope for people and added there needed to be more help available.
"I was homeless for six months back in 1996," he said.
"Stay positive, there is help out there."
Penn set up the charity six years ago when he served food to people during the Covid-19 pandemic from the back of his car.
A team of fundraisers helped the charity to fund the new hub.
"It's a warm space, safe space, and a welcoming space. It allows people to come in from the community, have showers, have something to eat, be in a warm space," Penn said.
The hub also offers people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless contact with other agencies who can help.
Penn's son John helps the charity with their admin.
"If I was in such a state of vulnerability, I would hope that somebody would be there to help me," he said.
"I'm proud of my Dad."
The father and son duo both thanked the volunteers for their work raising funds and said they hoped they would be in a position to open further branches elsewhere in the future.
"I want to give the help back to the community by opening this place up," Mark said.
"There needs to be more help for the people on the streets."
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