An Open Door for the needy

Open Door is a Christian project set up nine years ago by Billy MaCallion to provide support for the under privileged and socially excluded people in the Great Yarmouth area.  

 

Open Door provides a life-line for those who are unable to access the statutory services because they have no address, no National Insurance number and no proof of eligibility for government support of any kind.  

 

As well as being a learning, advice and support centre, Open Door also provides an evening meal to 100 people once a week and operates a drop-in centre on a Friday.   The work is supported by numerous churches in Great Yarmouth.

 

Open Door proved to be a life saver for a young man called Alan who was really down on his luck.   He used to be a bank manager in the USA, but due to a number of unforeseen circumstances, found himself separated from his wife and child and sleeping rough on Yarmouth beach.  

 

Billy first met Alan when he came to have a meal on a Wednesday night down at the church hall. Alan introduced himself to Billy and told him of his situation. 

 

He had been sleeping rough on the beach for four weeks and he needed help.  Although he originally came from a wealthy background, but problems over communication led to him feeling very lost and down. 

 

His story emerged in the same week that the volunteers from Open Door were holding an all-night vigil for those who had been affected by the hurricane in New Orleans.   Alan came along and told them of his experiences in the States. He had survived two hurricanes.  It was interesting for them to hear first hand what it was like. Once Alan had to drink water out of the toilet to survive.

 

Open Door paid for Alan to travel to Reading for a job interview, and while he was waiting to hear if he had the job, Billy was able to arrange accommodation for him.   By using the internet at the Open Door office, Alan has managed to make contact with his family again.

 

Another regular at Open Door is a young man called Tim who suffers from depression. The only people he knows are the volunteers and people who also use the project.  He says they are like his family.  He lives on his own in a dark and dingy flat in Great Yarmouth and he says that makes him feel worse.   Billy and some volunteers have now redecorated and refurnished it for him.