Rally today in support of Foyle Haven

A rally in support for Foyle Haven which provides a drop-in centre for Derry’s on-street drinkers is to be held at the facility this afternoon.

It has emerged the John Street facility needs up to £200,000 to prevent it from closing within months.

The current funding is set to run out at the end of the March.

If new streams of funding cannot be found, the centre, which employs 11 people, will have to close, according to the charity which runs the local facility.

The Haven provides a drop-in centre for street drinkers, including the provision of meals.

The rally, organised by UNISON, will take place outside the Haven (pictured) at 2.00pm.

A spokesperson has urged the public to go along and “stand in solidarity” with the facility.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Councillor Elisha McCallion said there was an “ongoing commitment” in the city to do everything possible to retain services at the centre.

Speaking following an emergency meeting she had organised to discuss the future of Foyle Haven, she said there was huge support for the staff and users and a commitment from the relevant stakeholders to continue to support the campaign to retain services. She said; “We had a very positive and productive emergency meeting today with all the relevant stakeholders including the Housing Executive, Western Trust, PSNI and Council, with all of them pledging to support the campaign for the Foyle Haven and to do all we can to secure funding for the service.

“There was general recognition of the essential service the Foyle Haven provides for vulnerable members of our community and I am delighted that there is joint support for the campaign.”