The Bury Drop in which runs from Trinity Methodist Church in Brentgovel Street, Bury St Edmunds, has 50 homeless people through its doors each session

The manager of a drop in which supports homeless people says there is a lot of poverty in Bury St Edmunds despite it looking like an affluent tourist town.

Sabine Dornbusch, who started managing the Bury Drop In following the Covid-19 pandemic, hopes to see compassion from the new Government as it works to tackle homelessness.

She said: “Homelessness is such a problem in Suffolk that some think that prison is a better option.”

Despite feeling optimistic there may be more funding and support on the way, Sabine highlighted figures from the Office of National Statistics which showed in 2021 the average age of death for a homeless male was 45.4 years and for a female 43.2 years.

There are 150 people registered with the busy drop in at Trinity Methodist Church in Brentgovel Street, with an average of 50 homeless and vulnerably housed people attending each Tuesday and Friday from 11am to 1.30pm.

Sabine, who started working there as a volunteer, said: “Officially we shouldn’t need to exist and when people ask me ‘how is it going?’ I say it is horrible to see the poverty, but it is a good place, a friendly place and a community.”

Though guests are drawn to the drop in for food and drink, she said: “We are not a soup kitchen, we want to give meaningful help to people.”

This comes in many forms, including visits from NHS outreach services, sexual health clinics, dental charities, the Samaritans and creative workshops.

As well as bridging gaps left by other agencies, one of the key aims of the drop in is to help homeless people find employment.

Exclusion is currently a big issue for those being supported, with many NHS services moving online.

Volunteers at the drop in tackle this by providing charged mobile phones allowing people to book appointments and stay in contact with friends and family.

The drop in also provides train tickets for its guests who may otherwise find it impossible to get to court in Ipswich.

Addiction is another big struggle faced by the homeless and Sabine believes there is a need for a rehabilitation centre in Bury, following the closure of charity Focus12 in 2018.

However, she is proud of the way that charities such as the Salvation Army and businesses in the town, including Greggs and Tesco, all work together to support those that need it in terms of food and clothing donations.

The Christian charity is also supported by local councils and churches.

Though many may think of the homeless in freezing conditions, Sabine said: “Generally hot weather is as dangerous as the winter.

“We give out refillable water bottles and sunscreen for our guests and on very hot days have ice cream like everyone else.”

Those visiting the drop in are given vouchers to have showers at the town’s leisure centre, so donations of spare towels and shower gel are always welcome.

The drop in runs on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11am to 1.30pm. More information can be found online at www.burydropin.org or via its social media channels.

Donations can be made during the sessions or you can email sabine.dornbusch@burydropin.org.