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£2m homeless shelter open at last
A homeless shelter which has been in the pipeline for over 10 years has finally opened its doors.
Emmaus Preston, in Ribbleton Lane, has cost nearly 2m but more money is needed before the shelter can be fully operational.
It has en-suite rooms for 10 people and 100,000 is being sought from Lancashire County Council to complete the first floor and increase capacity to 25.
Simon Mould, project director, said: "It feels like the project is moving on really quickly and things are starting to happen. The atmosphere is superb and it's beginning to feel like a proper home."
The main problem encountered was finding a suitable site and then raising enough money to get started. The project has also been hampered by the discovery of asbestos and vandals targeting the site.
The former Birches care home currently has four residents – known as companions – with two more expected to move in next week.
Each companion can stay in their own en-suite room for as long as they need and are given three meals a day as well as a wage of around 40 a week.
In return, they work a 40-hour week in the Emmaus social enterprise which is the collection, refurbishment and resale of waste household goods.
Simon said: "The most important thing it gives them is the space to regroup because when you are living on the streets, life is chaotic."
Emmaus UK – which is not affiliated to any religion – is a worldwide movement started in 1949 by French priest Abb Pierre.
The Preston centre has two lounges, a kitchen, dining room, television room and laundry.
For more on this story see Saturday's LEP.
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Weather for Preston
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
