A CHARITY which helps homeless people in High Wycombe has been left without a permanent base after the church hall it had been using was sold.

The whyCOME project has been using St John's Hall in Desborough Road as a refuge place for homeless people – many of whom have alcohol or drug problems – for the last year.

But now it has been bought by the Arts Foundation and will not be available for hire.

Volunteers at the whyCOME project say without a home, it would not be able to help so many people.

Omar Rahman, the charity's assistant chief executive, said: “We are desperate to have another premises for us to operate from. There is nowhere else for the homeless or street drinkers to go.”

The charity was set up three years ago by Mr Rahman and Pastor Robert Layman and moved into St John's Hall twelve months ago.

At the moment a drop-in centre is run on the last Saturday of each month, meaning homeless people know where and when they can come in for help.

The charity hopes to open up more regularly, with an ultimate goal of having volunteers available five days a week to give more help to vulnerable people.

Mr Rahman said the number of volunteers with whyCOME and the services they could provide were not the problem – it is the lack of a permanent base.

“We want to progress from what we have to have continuity for people with chaotic lifestyles,” he said. “That's why we need more regular intervention. If we had it three times a week it would help people more.

“The most important thing is that they have a day centre. We can do a bit of hand holding and mentoring for them and break the cycle.”

Up to 95 people use the Saturday meetings to have a hot meal, get clothing and blankets, and to ask advice on benefits they may be entitled to.

Mr Rahman said: “It all really helps and they really appreciate it. It helps their confidence.”

At the moment nobody has come forward to offer somewhere else for the charity to use.

But Pastor Layman said he would not let that stop the whyCOME project carrying out its work.

He said: “It would make things very difficult for us. We would do our best just to continue on an ad hoc basis from place to place, but that in itself would be very ineffective.

“We need consistency. If we are always chopping and changing venue it can be hard for people to remember where to meet. If it's in one place they know where they can come.”

Users of the project's facilities said it would be “a tragedy” if it could not continue to operate.

One of the them, George, said: “Without this place, people would suffer a lot more. I can't imagine them not being here.

“They respect you, welcome you and they care. We are grateful to them, they are terrific people.”

Another, Steve, said: “The people do so much hard work and put so much effort in. This is so important to people and it needs to continue.”

Another user added: “They help in all sorts of ways. I have made friends and met lots and lots of people.”

• Can you help the whyCOME project find a new home? Contact our newsdesk on 01494 755081.