Volunteers group told to stop dishing out food to homeless in Doncaster town centre

Volunteers have been told to stop dishing out food parcels for the homeless outside Christ Church during the current lockdown.
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The group, known as Action for the Needy and the Homeless in Doncaster, had been handing out essentials, including full meals, from a site close to the landmark on Thorne Road.

But now members say they been forced to stop doing it by the police and Doncaster Council because of social distancing rules.

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Volunteer Tracey Langley said police spoke to some of the leaders of the organisation and told them they could be arrested and fined.

Christ church, Thorne Road, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NSST Christchurch MC 2Christ church, Thorne Road, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NSST Christchurch MC 2
Christ church, Thorne Road, Doncaster. Picture: Marie Caley NSST Christchurch MC 2

She said the volunteers wear masks and gloves and try to keep two metres away from people, but sometimes the homeless people come closer.

The volunteers have told their clients they now have to stop. They are concerned some will miss out now.

She said they would now look to do doorstep deliveries where possible, where people had addresses that they could take food to, but was concerned this may not be possible for all.

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She said: “We’re not angry, we’re absolutely devastated. Why would people want to stop us from helping people? We hope to still help some people, but we are concerned there will still be some who don’t get food. Homeless people who have been put up in hotel rooms will not have kitchens.”

Inspector Mark Payling from Doncaster Central neighbourhood policing team said: “We have been working closely with Doncaster Council and a range of other agencies throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to support the most vulnerable in our communities. “From a policing perspective, this involves engaging with our communities and providing education about the current government guidelines, which are absolutely clear in that social distancing must be observed if we are to protect one another and our NHS. “Unfortunately, while the actions of this group were undoubtedly well-intentioned, any activity that encourages groups of vulnerable people to gather must not be allowed to continue for as long as social distancing must be respected, especially when there are established community support hubs in place across Doncaster that can provide help to those in need.”

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