Charity launches college for homeless

The programme, based in the Stokes Croft area of the city, will see organisations including Bristol Botanic Gardens and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery help the charity deliver 24 courses in subjects ranging from gardening to website design.

To date, 78 students have enrolled for the first six-week term, which begins on 3 June. A second semester will follow in late August.

St Mungo’s has run a recovery college, which helps homeless people build their confidence and skills, in London since September. Now in its third term, it has 570 people on the roll and offers 64 courses.

Jeremy Townend, pathways to employment manager for St Mungo’s, said the project enabled people to develop their strengths at their own pace.

He added: ‘People who have experienced homelessness may have been out of work for a year or more and may not have had a positive experience within the education system. The recovery college is about a second chance to build confidence and self-esteem, take some first steps back into learning, at all levels, all within a supportive environment.’