Free Christmas meals for city's homeless

Christmas meals are being offered to homeless people ahead of the festive period.

Redcorc Bar, in Digbeth, Birmingham, will open its doors to provide free hot meals and soft drinks to people in need on the afternoon of 17 December.

Chris Redmond, from Redcorc, said it was about more than just providing a meal and was about showing the city's homeless community they were not forgotten.

Sixty meals will be served to start with, offering turkey, vegetables and roast potatoes, as well as tea and coffee.

The event is a joint collaboration between marketing agency FK Creative and non-profit organisation, Diver’s Community CIC, which works to support rough sleepers and homeless people.

Figures from housing charity Shelter showed more than 16,000 people in Birmingham were living in temporary accommodation last year.

Kayleigh Whittaker, FK creative co-founder, said they wanted to do something to help the city's homeless.

The event includes food provision, listening to stories and signposting to charities for help, she added.

"Christmas does look different for everybody. Everybody deserves a Christmas dinner," she said.

Free meals, including turkey donated by local butchers, will be served at the venue between 15:00 and 18:00 GMT.

People who attend have the option to take away their portions, or can sit inside the restaurant and eat with others if preferred, Ms Whittaker said.

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