Harbour Place Day Centre (HPDC) is a specialist day care centre, supporting the needs of some of the hardest to reach and socially excluded individuals in our community. The client group comprises of the homeless, the lonely, substance misusers, those with mental health/dual diagnosis illness, young people/care leavers (16 plus), older people, single parents, ex-offenders, the unemployed, the disabled and those who have long-term health conditions. HPDC was founded by Sister Hilda Baxter in 1996 and is the only day centre of its kind in North East Lincolnshire. Since that day some 95,000 people have walked through the door this equates to an average of up to 50 clients per day. The centre is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.

A key part of the day centre’s work includes supporting and advocating on behalf of clients through signposting, referral and access to a wide range of statutory and voluntary sector agencies. The present core services of HPDC includes: providing shelter; breakfasts, lunchtime meals, refreshments and  food parcels; personal hygiene facilities including the provision for a change of clothes, bedding and shower facilities; one to one assessment of service user’s needs; a timetable of educational and fun activities; weekly clinics and sessions from external agencies (Specialist Health Visitor, Integrated Advice and Guidance, Community Nurse Practitioner, the Mental Health Homelessness Team, and a mobile NHS dental service). HPDC has five on-line computers dedicated to clients with tuition and support.

The centre has a successful track record of training clients and volunteers and supporting them back into the employment market.

The project is monitored by 13 Trustees who have in excess of 50 years experience between them as Trustees of the centre. The project is managed by a Project Director who reports directly to the Chair of the Trustees.

There are three project coordinators with direct responsibility for clients and volunteers.  The project coordinator’s have various specialist skills within the social care sector, teaching and community regeneration. There are 18 volunteer workers who come from diverse backgrounds who between them have a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge.