Summer BBQ celebration brings community together at our Homeless Service

Our Homeless Service in Doncaster hosted a summer BBQ event on Friday 3 July, welcoming more than 50 people to celebrate the transformation of its newly renovated outdoor space.

The event brought together customers, colleagues, partner agencies and members of the local community for an afternoon of food, activities and support.

It marked the completion of improvements to the outdoor area, which has been redesigned to be safer, more welcoming and better suited to supporting customers’ wellbeing.

The project was made possible through a range of social value contributions from local businesses and partners. Matthews and Tannert donated plants for the space, while DS Projects extended the car park by excavating the front grassed area and laying gravel. K Humphries supplied timber used to build planters and benches, JPS (Jewson) donated hand tools, garden tools, a greenhouse and a shed, and Hales & Coultas provided food and drinks for the celebration.

Thanks to these generous contributions, the outdoor space now includes an extended car park, dedicated garden areas with room for vegetable patches, planting spaces and seating, with further features continuing to be developed.

Importantly, both current and former customers played a vital role in the renovation project, gaining hands-on experience, developing practical skills and giving back to the service that has supported them.

Guests enjoyed a free BBQ, with meat kindly supplied by Taylors Butchers in Scunthorpe, as well as taking part in garden games, planting activities and accessing housing, financial, mental health and employment support.

Jim Hunter, Service Operative at our Homeless Service, said:“We’re incredibly proud of how the day went and the number of people who came along to support us.

The new outdoor space gives us so many more ways to support our customers. From outdoor activities that benefit mental health, to building practical skills and confidence, it’s already making a difference.

It’s been fantastic to see customers involved in creating this space themselves and then welcoming the community in to enjoy it with us. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the event and helped make it such a success.”

The impact of the project can already be seen in the lives of customers supported by the service.

Rob, a former resident who now lives independently in a single-occupancy flat managed by Ongo, was referred to the service through Doncaster Council after becoming homeless following a relationship breakdown in 2025.

Having limited support around him and feeling suicidal when he arrived, Rob initially struggled to engage and rarely left his room. Through support from Ongo Talk, regular attendance at Andy’s Man Club and ongoing guidance from Ongo’s Skills and Personal Development team, he has rebuilt his confidence and developed new ambitions.

Rob said:“My self-confidence is so much better than it was. I am undertaking courses to hopefully become a Support Worker, which I hope I will be good at following lived experience and being in their shoes.

I’ve really enjoyed helping out in the garden. My daughter has just finished her Masters in Criminal Psychology, and it feels like I’ve got things to live for.”

Another current customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, was referred to the service by a support worker after previously living at the YMCA. Having lived at the accommodation for the past 18 months, they say the garden project has helped them build confidence and develop positive relationships.

They said:“I feel like my confidence has built especially in the last few months and having the garden project has given me a focus. It’s great to see how rewarding gardening can be, and I’ve enjoyed getting out of my usual routine.

I’ve helped in building the shed, greenhouse and other things, and I’m looking forward to using them. Building a network here has given me an idea of how the future might look – it’s been motivational for me.

I’m now looking forward to taking on some training and volunteering with Ongo staff to build up some more skills.”

Sam Archer, Specialist Housing Manager said: “This service is very much a partnership approach, and it’s about us working in partnership with the customers to support them in their lives. We’re like a family here.

Sometimes people take a different path in life, some go left and some go right but ultimately we’re here to help people to get back on track.”

Ongo Homeless Service supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, offering safe accommodation alongside tailored support to help individuals rebuild their lives. Each year, the service helps hundreds of people to develop skills, improve wellbeing and move towards independent living.

For more information about Our Homeless Service, visit:
https://www.ongo.co.uk/find-a-home-with-ongo/supported-living/housing-for-the-homeless/