Collect for the Homeless this Winter with Coleraine Men’s Group

A community spirited Men’s Group in Coleraine have been instrumental in aiding homeless people in the local area and Belfast city centre through collecting and distributing essential items.

Concerned for the safety of those sleeping rough in freezing conditions, Coleraine Men’s Group have vowed to assist by providing sleeping bags, underwear, scarves and hats for those in need.

Items for collection can be dropped at Ashes to Gold Headquarters at 35 Abbey Street, Coleraine during opening hours Monday to Thursday.

Stephen O’Hara, founder and volunteer with the Coleraine Men’s Group emphasised how important the collection for the homeless is in the face of rising numbers sleeping on the street:

“We want to highlight the plight of the homeless.
“We are looking mainly for sleeping bags as we are very short of sleeping bags and they go through a lot of these because they don’t carry the sleeping bags with them.

“That is one of the shortages which we face, along with clean underwear, we have already had lots of socks and warm coats donated since we started collecting about 2 months ago.”

Stephen explained where the initial impetus came from for the group to help the homeless:

“We had a man in to talk to the Men’s Group, from Andy Allen Veteran Support.

“We are all about mental health, and the information which we get from our talks, we take this away and help someone else, because that we have learnt that helping someone else helps you.

“Three of our men’s group now go up to Belfast and go out with the Andy Allen Veterans on Thursday from Coleraine to help.

“One of the men touched a boy’s face last week and thought he was dead because he was so cold.

“A trained medic was called and discovered the boy was alive but only had two pram blankets to keep him warm.

“They were able to get him clothes to keep him warm and give him a sleeping bag.”

In 2022/3, it was reported by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that 758 people presented to them as homeless in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Coleraine Men’s Group were established over eight years ago to help local men deal with depression.

“The group has grown so much, before we moved, we were getting in 25 or 30 men every week.

“It began as a group of men meeting up for coffee but it has developed from there.

“We would work with Ashes to Gold, Vineyard Church and other partners, on topics such as debt for example, because if someone comes to us with depression, usually there is an underlying problem.

“A lot of our activities are focused around the pool table, for talk and chatting, we like to get people in for talks also.

“We have a walking group on Monday with up to 15 men, a guitar group on a Tuesday with up to 12 members and a social group on Fridays with up to 20 attending.

“We have relocated to the Upper Room Church, a non-denominational church based in the Sandel Village Centre, Knocklynn Road in Coleraine.”

The group try to help out in the community as much as possible, supporting local people who need help and often support the local food bank with donations.

They also collect unwanted items and furniture from the community for distribution where needed.

Stephen continued:
“If there is a gap that needs filled, we will try to fill it.

“We don’t have a lot of money and everything we do is voluntary.

“We love giving away as giving is a big thing in our group, helping people makes you feel better.”

To find out more about the Coleraine Men’s Group contact Stephen on 07826684772 or see their Facebook page for more information.