A SOCIAL enterprise in Swindon is helping homeless people and promoting health and wellbeing.

Health and Wellness Juices is led by Mark Mutlow, a former resident of the charity Threshold Housing Link and all of its profits go towards supporting the local good cause.

It began by providing a selection of juices to Threshold residents and local businesses, then in October, it opened its doors to the wider public, selling fresh juices and warming soups from the Brunel Shopping Centre.

Paul, a former Threshold service user and juice bar volunteer, said: “I’ve been homeless for over 30 years and have really struggled to break the cycle of being on the street.

“Working at the juice bar is a great opportunity for me to make some positive changes in my life. It’s getting me off the streets, giving me responsibility and training me up for the future. It feels like a fresh start.”

Michael Keenan, Threshold's manager, said:“We have seen directly that a well-nourished body and brain seems to be better able to withstand ongoing stress and better able to recover from life’s traumas. Providing micronutrients is an effective and inexpensive intervention which improves the mental health and well-being of those recovering from layers of vicarious trauma.

“It is brilliant now to be able to support positive progression pathways for the homeless through individual skill development”.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson visited the project to find out more about it and meet the four volunteers who support it.

He said: “Our priority is to ensure that all homeless people, or those at risk of homelessness, get the right support they need to stabilise their lives and move closer to, or into work.

“Threshold is making great steps to improve the long-term opportunities for those experiencing homelessness. Not just promoting the importance of nutrition but providing them with important employability skills, paving the way to future work.”

Over 750 people a year access Threshold’s services for advice, support, advocacy or accommodation. The charity offers a number of services to meet the needs of Swindon’s homeless community including a street outreach service and supported accommodation resettlement schemes.

Earlier this year, the government unveiled a new Rough Sleeping Strategy, backed by a commitment of £100m, which set out a number of schemes designed to support those sleeping on the streets move into accommodation.