|PIC1|The Salvation Army's James Street Centre for homeless people in Salford is proving to be 'quite a catch' with its residents who are being offered regular fishing trips to Rhyl in North Wales.

David Rose, centre manager at the 38-bed facility, has been installing a greater sense of self-confidence and team work in residents as part of his trips aboard the Jensen II charter boat off the Welsh coast.

The keen anglers have been having some fantastic fishing fun with a wide variety of specimens being caught including cod, whiting, dab, rays and even tope - which belongs to the shark family.

The fishing trips are just one aspect of a varied leisure programme available at the James Street Centre, which is owned by The Salvation Army Housing Association and managed by The Salvation Army.

The facility offers direct access accommodation. This means that a homeless man can come off the street and seek shelter at the James Street Centre subject to a satisfactory assessment.

David Rose said: 'The angling at sea gives them an experience that they would perhaps not normally have the chance to enjoy. When you are homeless the last thing you think you have the opportunity to do is go out fishing but here that dream is made a reality.

'It helps boost self-esteem and restores confidence. People also learn new skills and how to work as part of a team.

'This can also help as part of the resettlement programme which aims to equip our residents with the necessary framework to live independent lives in more permanent accommodation when they leave James Street.'




[Re-printed in Christian Today with the kind permission of The Salvation Army]