A CHARITY which supports homeless and vulnerable young people in Bournemouth has launched an urgent appeal in order to be able to continue operating during the coronavirus outbreak.

Alabaré Christian Care and Support currently run two homes in Bournemouth which provides accommodation for a total of nine young people aged 16-25 who are either homeless, at risk of becoming so or those who have left the care system.

The Coronavirus pandemic is not only threatening Alabaré’s residents and staff but is also putting huge strains on the charity financially. The charity's services are facing unprecedented challenges and are putting emergency procedures into place.

Emily Wyatt, Team Leader at the service, said: “It is vitally important that we are still there for the young people we are supporting at this time.

“Having somewhere to safe to live is essential, even more so in the current climate so our team is working around the clock to have provisions in place.

Many of the young people we support have had difficult starts in life, but we are determined to help them through this and give them the hope of a better future.”

As well as providing ongoing support for current clients, Alabaré have also welcomed new residents in during this time to ensure they are doing their upmost to help homeless and vulnerable young people in the current circumstances.

This has included providing support to residents via video call and offering new residents virtual tours of the homes before they move in.

However, the charity have also incurred significant additional costs including adapting communal living spaces for self-isolation, providing food and supplies, and covering staffing costs when colleagues are off sick or in isolation.

The charity have set up a crowdfunding page, which has already raised almost £44,000, nearly half of their overall target.

Rebecca Mullen, Alabaré’s Fundraising and Development Manager added: “We have been severely financially impacted by the outbreak.

“At a time when we are spending money to save lives, we have had to postpone all our fundraising events for the next six months.

“We urgently need to raise £100,000 and have launched our emergency appeal in order to raise the funds we need to be able to continue to support the homeless and vulnerable through these uncertain times.”

To find out more about Alabaré’s emergency appeal and to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/appeal.