Generous first-aider gives up time to train volunteers at Northampton homeless shelter

Alastair Leith of Kingsthorpe, who was nearly made homeless along with his three disabled children and wife, and has since set up AWA Training and will train 12 volunteers at the night shelter, on the site of the former British Rail Social Club in St Andrew’s Road before Christmas.

He said: “I have been unemployed with three kids and a wife, we’ve nearly been homeless before and I’d like to help. I’ve been relying on benefits and I want to give something back.”

“At the end of the day nobody should be on the streets. I don’t know their reasons and circumstances but nobody should be there.”

Plans for the homeless shelter were approved by Northampton borough council in September and it is hoped the accommodation will be ready by the end of November.

The shelter, which is due to open 9am from 9pm, has accommodation for up to 20 people and Mr Leith is calling on big-hearted Northampton residents to dedicate their time.

Mr Leith adds: “I have had the go-ahead from councillor Phil Harris to offer free, fully accredited, emergency first aid training to up to 12 volunteers of the project who will be working directly with the homeless.

“The shelter is not permanent it is designed to move the homeless on to more established fixtures and get them off the streets. It will initially access these people to find what they need and move them onto another project.”