Visit to Sanctus

Ten of us went today to Sanctus, a charity helping homeless peopled and others among the poorer members of the community by, among other things, serving hot meals to them at the charity’s premises at the bottom end of Broomfield Road. Their regular customers are not charged; instead there is a donation box. We went to meet some of their regular customers, support the charity through our own donations and eat there ourselves.

The staff, volunteers and regular customers made us feel most welcome. It was interesting to talk to customers and hear something about their stories. One person had had a good job until he became too ill. Another had been a heavy drinker until earlier this year. A couple were there from Hungary; they haven’t yet been able to obtain permission to work in the UK but are hoping to improve their English.

Yet another had brought along a small dog he looks after and told us how much the dog’s companionship meant to him and helped him. It was certainly a friendly creature, happy to sit on any available lap.

We were left in no doubt about the regular customers’ appreciation of the help, support and friendship Sanctus is able to offer them. Many go there every day.

After Sanctus closed to its regular customers it was our turn to eat. We ate the same food as the regulars and found it very tasty and nutritious. On this visit we raised £220 for the charity. We are due to visit again in September and November.