A LOCAL charity assembled a team of professionals to help people who were desperate for practical health and well-being support at an event last week.
Providing a friendly face and a willing ear, the charity Encircle, helps the homeless or those in need.
The recent charity event on Monday, April 24 provided a mobile dental unit, hairdresser and podiatrist so people could have practical support.
The event was held at Alabare’s supported living facility in Salisbury centre.
Trustee Anna Hubbard said: “Imagine being hungry or homeless but also living with chronic dental pain or sore and infected feet due to ill-fitting shoes?
"Encircles are delighted to have been able to help some of our clients in the local area to access a dentist and a podiatrist on the first of our four scheduled Dentaid sessions this summer."
Footsteps Podiatry joined the event with practitioner Katie seeing numerous people with foot concerns and fifteen people were given haircuts free of charge by Dan, of SevenIvy Hairdressing.
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Anna said: "We would like to thank Alabare for hosting this first visit, Dentaid for the dental treatments, Katie Bluff of Footsteps Podiatry, Tidworth and the continued amazing support of Dan Smith from SevenIvy who topped the day off with giving everyone smart new haircuts."
With support, Encircles funded the mobile dentist for four consecutive months and on Monday, seven desperate individuals received dental treatment.
Anna added: "Thanks goes to those who donated to us for making this happen. We are very aware that times are seriously tough for so many people at the moment and we are so very grateful for the support we get in the Salisbury area community.”
The charity provides 900 meals a month to those in need and supplies an additional 450 meals to those at Alabare and John Baker House.
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It operates a food distribution service using food items donated by local businesses as well as providing homemade soup from local churches in the winter months.
A weekly Sunday lunch is also prepared and cooked by volunteers using donated produce. Up to 40 cost-of-living bags are made up and include coffee, tea, sugar and milk to ensure everyone has access to a hot drink during the cold months.
Essential resources are also available including sleeping bags, waterproofs, shoes and basic clothing are provided.
Encircles is dependent on donations but hopes to organise additional events to support the local community even more. The team is made up completely of volunteers.
More information can be found on the website encircles.org.
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