TheHarpNews.com

January Edition 2007

My day at The Fireside Day Centre

By Joan Cunningham

Pictured here are many of the volunteers at the Fireside Day Centre for the homeless, they give up their time to help those in need

A funny thing happened at the Fireside Day Centre…I think I witnessed a personification of Christmas. But, let me explain.
On a miserable, cold Monday morning, I found myself full of anticipation and excitement albeit with a little apprehension thrown in, about what the day had in store for me following my decision to volunteer to work at The Fireside Day Centre for a day. Having met one of the main workers in the form of Sister Sabina previously and subsequently discovering the aims and objectives of this local charity as explained by manager, Nigel, I now relished the opportunity of experiencing first hand a day in the life of a charity worker which would allow me to develop an insightful and meaningful overview of this establishment. However, it also gave me the opportunity of witnessing a place that personified Christmas because of the generosity of others, the charity’s open house policy, its non-judgemental and welcoming staff and a feeling of being part of something worthwhile that actually makes a difference to others who experience difficulty or crisis in their lives.
The moment I entered the place I was welcomed by staff who although strangers to me made me feel like an old friend. One of the main men on the staff at Fireside was Charles or Charlie. He’s not fussed what you call him he tells me, a name’s a name. Charlie is one of those people with a relaxed air about him and I’d have to describe him as a people person. I know it’s a bit cliché but he’s a people person with a difference because he cares whole heartedly about individuals and, well, he was just a pleasure to talk to.
Charlie is an all-rounder, as are so many of the staff at the centre. On this particular day he was receptionist, my mentor, a friend and confidante to anyone who walked through the door and most importantly he showed respect, didn’t pass judgement and appeared to place value upon many of the visitors that chose to pass through the doors of the Fireside Centre that day.
The Fireside’s mission during the past thirteen years is to offer friendship, hospitality and support to the homeless, unemployed or lonely in the inner city of Birmingham. Its other essential aim is to promote the centre as a place of social inclusion. It’s a venue for people to meet up and pass the time of day with. It’s a place to grab a shower, develop reading and writing skills, improve one’s I.T. skills, play bingo or discuss housing or other problematic issues which face so many people visiting the Fireside.
However, one of the main attractions is the food which is diligently prepared by a group of volunteers, under the supervision of Colin, the centre’s capable and proficient chef. One gentleman told me having a hot meal at the Fireside Day Centre was the highlight of his day which left him feeling replenished and ready to face whatever trials and tribulations the rest of the day had in store for him.
The kitchen is the hub of the Fireside and was even more so on this particular day as the afternoon had been set aside to prepare food for the Fireside’s Christmas party, held each year at the Irish Club. This meant Colin and every other member of staff as well as volunteers drafted in from all walks of life, opted to dedicate a few hours of their time in helping prepare the food for the following day’s festivities. I must admit that I was taken aback by the vast amount of food donations made by numerous High Street food stores as well as smaller, local businesses. It’s apparent that the Fireside relies heavily on the generosity of others and it’s evident that there’s no shortage of charitable organisations and individuals in and around Birmingham who can be relied on to donate food, drinks, toiletries and clothing for the visitors of the Fireside Centre.
For me, the decision to volunteer for the day was one of the best decisions of 2006. It allowed me to meet committed and dedicated people in this field of work and deepened my understanding of the dilemmas that face the homeless and unemployed. I’m told the Fireside relies on volunteers to help with the smooth running of the charity. So if you fancy learning a bit about yourself and others, I’d highly recommend volunteering for the day. For me it personified Christmas but for others the place will undoubtedly personify and represent differing aspects of life. But there’s only one way of finding out for yourself and that’s to make a telephone call to the Fireside Centre on 0121 666 6866 to set the wheels in motion.
For further information log on to http://www.fireside.org.uk/.

Drug swoop
Two men from Co. Sligo have been jailed in the UK for drug Smuggling.
Vincent Sweeney and Robert McGowan were stopped and searched at the docks in Dover and found to be carrying Heroin and Cannabis hidden in a horsebox they were towing.
Sweeney was sentenced to sixteen years in prison and McGowan received an eighteen-year sentence. It is believed they were travelling to Ireland with the banned substances.

Motorists boycott new motorway
A new motorway in Co. Cork is not being fully utilised as first predicted because motorists are refusing to pay the high toll charge.
It was predicted that the motorway would ease the congestion in Fermoy and Rathcormac by carrying 17,000 vehicles daily. Local residents have noticed that the traffic levels have not decreased.