Poole’s first and only homeless centre, Routes to Roots, has served more than 4,542 meals since it opened a centre on Hill Street in March last year.

The charity acquired a Baptist church, now known as the Genesis Centre, in 2020 using a £150,000 interest-free loan given by Talbot Village Trust, which is only repayable if the building is sold. Two subsequent grants from the trust, totalling £60,000, enabled Routes to Roots to complete the first phase of the centre’s renovations ahead of the opening last year.

Kate Mellor, chairman of trustees at Routes to Roots, said: “Routes to Roots is very grateful to the Talbot Village Trust for its support in getting the Genesis Centre up and running. Without the trust’s funding, we would have really struggled. The impact on homelessness services in Poole has been immensely beneficial due to the trust’s help. We hope that the building’s use will grow over time as other services come into the building to benefit local people who are struggling.”

The Genesis Centre is Poole’s first building solely dedicated to helping the town’s homeless and vulnerably housed and to date has directly supported more than 260 service users. At five weekly drop-ins, Routes to Roots provides basic necessities, such as showers, hot food, clothing and sleeping bags, and offers outreach access to the Poole addictions team, mental health workers, Poole rough sleeper outreach team and housing and benefit advisers.

Ben Sargent, Genesis Centre manager, said: “The service continues to grow both in terms of those utilising the service but also stakeholders’ enthusiasm and engagement with the charity. The community as a whole has bought into what we are trying to achieve at the Genesis Centre, and I am personally looking forward to seeing us have a positive impact on individuals rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness for many years to come.”

Many items in the centre have been gifted, including all ceiling lighting, IT equipment, office furniture and kitchen appliances. Routes to Roots is currently raising funds for phase two of the project and anticipates requiring a further £75,000 to complete the works.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “As the only support for the vulnerably housed and homeless people in Poole, we felt it was imperative to support Routes to Roots with the refurbishment of the centre to help the charity to provide fundamental care to those who need it most. The charity has shown immense dedication to its cause since 2002. Not only does this service help hundreds of people directly, but the wider community has also been able to benefit through volunteering opportunities. Raising awareness of the charity is crucial so that the local community can appropriately direct those in need to a safe place for care and support.”