CHARITY workers are opening the doors of the drop-in centre they run for London’s homeless to let the public know about their operation. The Providence Row charity wants the public to meet them, so they’re organising tours of the centre and a barbecue

CHARITY workers are opening the doors of the drop-in centre they run for London’s homeless to let the public know about their operation.

The Providence Row charity wants the public to meet them, so they’re organising tours of the centre in London’s East End and a barbecue.

The charity is planning for its 150th anniversary next year. It began in 1860 as church relief for the poor in a run-down building in Providence Row, off Bishopsgate in the City.

HOMLELESS

It almost became homeless itself when Providence Row was demolished to make way for the new Liverpool Street terminal of the Great Eastern Railway.

The charity had to move to Spitalfields nearby and has carried on the work for the poor and the homeless of London’s East End ever since.

Today, the recession has seen the number needing their help rising, with 200 people a day turning to them for breakfast as well as advice and support on issues from benefits to drug abuse.

The charity is organising tours and a barbecue at the Dellow centre at 82 Wentworth Street, Spitalfields, from 2 to 6pm on July 16.