Helping the homeless and disadvantaged
Crawley Open House is a local charity based about 2 miles from Gatwick Airport. It provides a gateway to support services for those suffering from the effects of homelessness, unemployment, loneliness, discrimination or other forms of social exclusion. The support is available to anyone regardless of age, sex orientation, religion or ethnic origin.
This is done by running a hostel, Riverside House which is direct access has 24 beds and takes homeless men, women and couples who are at least 18 years old as well as housing their pets. The Hostel is direct access which means that we will take in anybody who is homeless and on the streets, regardless of their backgrounds or problems, we do not judge people we just try to help them. The hostel has over 200 residents each year.
The Drop In Day Centre at Riverside House is open every day of the year 10.00am to 4.00pm Monday-Friday and 2.00pm to 5.00pm week ends and bank holidays, anybody is welcome. In an average year we have over 16,000 client visits to the Day Centre.
Day Centre clients can access a wide range of services and specialist staff including Advice and Resettlement workers, Doctor, CPN, Counsellors and other Health Care specialists. They can get cheap or free meals from the canteen, watch TV, use a computer or just go to sleep in a safe and friendly environment.
A lot of clients who attend the Day Centre are families who have been effected by the recession. Their incomes have been reduced dramatically and they are left with a stark choice, they can pay their rent or buy food and the other essentials that they need. We encourage them to pay their rent and to rely on Open House to provide them with food parcels, nappies, pet food, clothing etc. (all these items we rely on people donating to us in the first place).