New Hope4 Day Centre in Rugby gets royal seal of approval

The Royal opening by the Duke of Gloucester, a first cousin to the Queen and a grandson to King George V, recognises these much needed new facilities for the homeless and badly housed residents of Rugby.

His Royal Highness was joined by the Lord Lieutenant for Warwickshire, Mr Tim Cox and the Chairman of Hope4, the Reverend Dr Michael Bochenski.

A plaque was unveiled at 12.30pm and will act as a lasting legacy to this royal opening.

Located on Newbold Road, the new Hope4 Day Centre provides much needed support for the vulnerable in Rugby – homeless and badly housed guests are

welcome 365 days a year.

There they can make use of the expertise of those with a listening ear, laundry facilities, showers, warmth and recreation, hot food and much

needed practical help and advice.

In addition to the practical ‘in house’ facilities the Centre offers, the charity also oversees a winter shelter, now in its fifth year of operating, and the Rugby Food Bank which recently served its 10,000th food parcel to local people in the town.

The Reverend Dr Michael Bochenski, Chairman of Hope4 said: “We are very grateful for the generous support and encouragement His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester, has given to our charity.

“The homeless and badly housed guests we serve are among the most vulnerable people in our society. For Hope 4 to be able to continue to offer them both practical and emotional support is vital.

“No-one in Rugby needs to face homelessness alone. The Hope Centre is living proof of this.”

Some 60 guests use the Centre’s day facilities each month. Meals are also offered three evenings a week at the new Hope Centre, where volunteers supply and prepare hot meals for 35-40 people.

In partnership with church buildings across Rugby, Hope 4 also provides overnight shelter for up to 15 people each night.

Some 300 volunteers donate their time, food and energy to Hope 4’s various activities over the course of a year. New volunteers are always needed and those interested in offering ‘hands on’ support are encouraged to contact the charity directly or to download an application form from www.hope4.org.ukGuests wishing to book a place at the Winter Shelter need to register in person at The Hope Centre, 8 Newbold Road, Rugby.

Call Hope4 on 01788 572456.