A CLUB which has been feeding the homeless for 26 years is this week's reason to Shout About Swindon.

The Big Breakfast Plus club is based at The Haven on Queens Drive and provides a free breakfast club to anyone who is rough sleeping or in temporary accommodation.

Every day between 7.30-8.30am the charity serves a cooked meal, alongside cereal and toast, with unlimited refills of hot drinks.

Project coordinator, Jonathan Wier said: “We are open to everyone.

“The only question we ask is where they spent the night last night. But we are fundamentally open access and work on trust.”

The charity operates on a drop-in basis and dishes up 7,500 breakfasts every year. It has identified more than 850 individuals who have come through their doors in the last two years.

Jonathan added: “We get between 20 and 30 people coming for a breakfast each day.

“We also provide that social space. A lot of homeless people can feel isolated and alienated, so they can come here and mix with other people.”

The charity works closely with local homeless support organisations such as Swindon Night Shelter, Swindon Borough Council and Threshold, which is holding its Big Swindon SleepOut tomorrow. As well as a meal, guests are signposted to a variety of support services including housing, welfare and addiction support.

Jonathan added: “We help people who are on the street but also help get them off the streets. We try and help get rough sleepers prepared for housing in the future, and ready them for the responsibility of having a tenancy.”

The service operates 362 days a year, with Christmas Care then providing the breakfasts over the festive period.

There are currently 20 volunteers helping to keep the kitchen running.

Volunteer Sam Heatman said: “We’re that first port of call for people. When they wake up, they can come here, and it’s often the first warm place they come.

“It’s hugely important for people, and is often a first step to getting themselves back into housing,” she said.

“Getting a free meal every day is fantastic,” said one of the charity’s guests.

“It’s great coming here. The volunteers are great and you get a good rapport with them.

“You don’t have any problems here which you might expect.

“I’ve made a few mates and get on with most people.

“The standard of the food is very good and I can’t praise the management and volunteers enough for what they do.”

Rosemary Curtis, chair of the trustees said: “Homelessness and rough sleeping in an issue in Swindon throughout the year, but is particularly apparent and in the winter and the run up to Christmas.

“Big breakfast is proud to be part of one of a number of charities which are collectively helping to support and alleviate the effects of homelessness."