Bridgwater & Taunton College has stepped up to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community by opening its doors to the homeless.

The College’s Canonsgrove residential accommodation, based on the outskirts of Taunton, will provide vital shelter, support and 3 meals a day for rough sleepers and the homeless. Due to open in the middle of next week, the College hopes that it will ensure all in our community are able to reduce risk by having a place to self isolate and practice social distance.

The project has relied on the commitment and collaboration of various organisations, including Raft, the Salvation Army, Open Door, Turning Point and Arc. We wish to thank YMCA Dulverton Group who will manage the site on behalf of Somerset West and Taunton Council.

A council spokeswoman said:

Local homeless charity Arc will also be supporting and encouraging clients from all of their properties to move to Canonsgrove. This will ensure that those at high risk have option to self-isolate and will provide a more suitable setting for social distancing measures. A whole range of other organisations have been working with us at very short notice to donate their time and support to make this possible and ensure that the new residents of Canonsgrove will receive the right support once they move in.

Council leader Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts commented:

The council would like to pass on its thanks to the YMCA and all of these organisations for their amazing help at this difficult time.

This project is one of many that the College is doing in order to play its part in tackling the Coronavirus crisis. Such as, offering free car parking for all NHS staff at our Taunton campus, providing childcare for children of key workers and vulnerable students and supplying the NHS with vital PPE. For more information on how the College is committed to helping, please follow us on social media.