A new initiative providing clothing and food to Preston’s homeless community launched this September, with 14 people attending the first pop-up on the Flag Market.
Larches Lifeline, operating from St Bernard’s Community Hub, will run for three months on the first Monday of every month from 11am to 1pm, at Preston Flag Market where people can easily spot the service.
The initiative was launched just four weeks after Lindsay, who runs the Penwortham and Larches Care Share Clothes and Toys Hub, came up with the idea as winter approaches and the need for warm clothing becomes critical.
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“Lindsay came to me about four weeks ago with the idea that she wanted to help the homeless and rough sleepers.
“It’s coming up to winter and now’s the time where we need to get our feet on the ground,” said Emma Caffrey, the operations manager for St Bernard’s Larches and Savick Community Hub.
Miller’s Taxis donated £250 to fund the minibus transport through the Preston Community Transport and purchased immediate supplies, enabling the project to launch within weeks of the idea being formed.
The pop-up on Monday 1 September, revealed urgent demand for men’s clothing, with underwear, rucksacks and coats proving the most popular items.
The team served mainly male rough sleepers, with three women in attendance.
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Organisers discovered many homeless people avoid wearing underwear due to limited washing facilities. Those using the Foxton Centre can wait up to two days for laundry to be returned, making it easier to go without.
“A lot of the homeless and rough sleepers of Preston don’t wear underwear because they can’t get them washed,” Emma explained. “The underwear that we were handing out was going faster than anything.”
Ashton Food Aid distributes small parcels containing snacks, bottled water and fresh fruit to the initiative rather than hot meals, recognising that other services in Preston already provide cooked food.
The focus remains on portable items rough sleepers can carry easily. The organisers particularly need men’s clothing, rucksacks, blankets, hats and coats.
Donations can be dropped off at St Bernard’s Community Hub, with plans to establish an online fundraising post.
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Local agencies including Red Rose, the Foxton Centre and Inspire helped publicise the launch, with attendees saying they had heard about the service through these organisations.
The team plans to continue throughout winter and potentially year-round if funding allows. Between monthly sessions, people can access clothing at the Larches clothing share on Wednesdays and Fridays, with additional items left at Inspire on Fox Street.
Demand for rucksacks proved particularly high, with all four bags distributed immediately and more people asking for them. Organisers are appealing to parents whose children have received new school bags to donate last year’s rucksacks.
“A lot of the guys were saying we’ve only got plastic bags, they don’t want plastic bags. They want to put everything in a rucksack, which is understandable. That’s what they have to carry around with them,” the operations manager said.
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One female rough sleeper told Emma that having basic underwear would make her feel safer on the streets, highlighting how fundamental these items are for security.
The initiative addresses practical challenges many people don’t consider. When clothing gets wet in rain, homeless people often discard items because they have nowhere to dry them, creating constant need for replacements.
Volunteers have come forward through social media to help with future sessions, whilst the team explores partnerships with local businesses and schools to boost donations.
The next Larches Lifeline session will take place on the first Monday in October on Preston’s flag market, with organisers better prepared for demand following the successful launch this September.
To find out more on how to provide support visit the St Bernard’s Community Hub website.
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