Two homeless charities joined forces to host a barbecue for homeless people in Mile End Park on Saturday.

Friends Together Initiative of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and GrowTH held the event for people who have benefited from help from both organisations.

GrowTH is a charity whose first project has been to run a night shelter run by Christians in churches to house the homeless.

The barbecue came at the end of a year in which GrowTH and the FTI, along with other local churches, have provided an emergency night shelter from November 1 2012 to June 1 2013.

During this time 165 different homeless people were given emergency food and shelter and over 50 have been given resettlement help allowing them to move into permanent accommodation.

The barbecue gave people an opportunity to build relationships as they enjoyed food during the afternoon.