Wild Goose reopened its doors

On Wednesday 2nd December, the Wild Goose drop-in finally reopened its doors to serve homeless and vulnerable people, following a 9-month refurbishment.  

The inHope project has been based at its current location on Stapleton Road since 2010.  Since then, it has served 10,000 people and 1 million hot meals.  Much loved by the clients, and the hundreds of Christian volunteers, the Wild Goose had become well-worn from all the usage. A rotten floor needed replacing, the toilets needed an overhaul, the front of the building needed to be completely re-rendered, and intrinsic damp made the drop-in unpleasant.  

The “sprucing of the Goose” began on 23rd March – the same day as the first national lockdown.  Throughout the pandemic a ‘pop-up Goose’ has been running from the neighbouring Stapleton Road Chapel.  Staff and volunteers provided a hot meal, a drink and a takeaway bag, to up to 100 people per day.   

A small team of builders were able to work in a socially distanced manner throughout the pandemic, ensuring that although the work took longer than expected, the Goose has been spruced in time for Christmas.  The Wild goose now has an improved kitchen with new ventilation systems, reconfigured toilets including an accessible wet-room, a new CCTV system, a new floor for the drop in and a new coat of paint throughout.  

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Wild Goose will initially operate a takeaway door service.  When restrictions lift the drop-in will reopen more fully. However, the Wild Goose team looks forward to welcoming back its many teams of volunteers as soon as it is safe to do so.  

Jonathan Lee, Chief Executive of inHope said “Our contractor and our Project Manager have worked hard to achieve much needed updating and improvements to our facilities which will serve clients, volunteers and staff more effectively. We are so grateful for every penny donated by individuals, churches, local organisations and trusts who have made this wonderful refurbishment possible.”  

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