Rhyl families to receive joyful respite amidst homelessnes

Tracy and her children Olly, 13, Angel, 10 and Bella, 7 have been sharing one room at Rhyl's Westminster Hotel for more than a year. They’re about to spend their second Christmas in the hotel, with more than 100 other homeless people, including other families.

This week, children who live in Rhyl and are in temporary accommodation, will receive a ticket to go to Geronimo's for two hours of play and a meal. 

There is also a possibility families will be able to enjoy a meal in their rooms on Christmas day.

Tracy in her hotel room in Rhyl (Image: BBC Wales Investigates)

Kind-hearted Richard Kendrick, a prominent fundraiser in Rhyl who was recognised for his work with communities across Denbighshire in 2022 and won a Platinum Champion Award in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee, said: "I have recently spent £700. The money was money we raised from events in Summer and Tombolas in the White Rose Centre. We have bought 80 tickets for a meal and play and 50 for a play for families after Christmas.

"We buy the tickets and then give them to the housing officers who pass them out. The kids can play with other kids, a lot of them don't have gardens or yards to play out in, and here they have got two hours play with other children. They can also have a meal and they are warm and the parents can talk to someone else as well."

Richard is also trying to secure some meals for families to have on Christmas Day.

"I would really love to get everybody sitting down at Christmas," he said.

"I know the Salvation Army are doing something Christmas Day and Rhyl Wings on Christmas Eve.

"I'm phoning up Iceland to see if we can get some frozen meals off them. 

"I've also spoken to Homeless Prevention at Denbighshire County Council to ask them that if I got 400 meals, could they drop them off and supply them to families so they can all sit down in the rooms and have a meal on Christmas Day."

Tracy and her family were made homeless when her landlord sold their four-bedroomed rented home.

Denbighshire council sent them to live in a hotel in Rhyl until alternative accommodation could be found.

The local authority said demand for social housing exceeded supply and temporary accommodation was used "for far longer" than it would like and it was working with Tracy to find a permanent solution.

Asked by her mum what she'd wish for if she could make a wish on a Christmas star, Bella replied: "Get a cat and a dog that love each other...

"For when we've got a house."

Tracy said she "can't thank the hotel enough… but even so, it's not a home".

She added that being homeless is making her physical and mental health issues worse.

Richard said: "I have worked in the Westminster Hotel, I've worked in about seven different hostels in Rhyl etc so over the last four years I've got to know the majority of the homeless and families that have gone into temporary care.

"It is going to get worse, I believe. There is going to be more and more people losing houses.

"The cost of living is so unbelievable at the moment. I'm actually handing out duvets, not for beds but to put on couches so you can turn your heating down and still be warm and save money.

"I can't always help but I try to guide people to where help is."

Richard sung the praises of North Wales Superkids, a dedicated group of volunteers who deliver toys to thousands of children at Christmas.

He said: "We are lucky we have North Wales Superkids. I have been heavily involved in the charity for the last 10 years, this year, even more so with Jade Storey with founder Margaret Williams passing away.

"The housing officer can refer children, schools can and doctors and charities.

"The children will get toys if they meet the criteria and if families are struggling.

"I will still be working on Christmas Eve and Jade. So many people want toys."

Talking about homeless families being put up in hotels, Richard said: "Some families have three, four, five children in one room, that is one room, one bathroom, one tv. Most haven't got microwaves but they have all got kettles. 

"On occasions it can be like 'takeaway city' so the families aren't saving the money they could be saving.

"The foodbanks are being hit even more because families need the foodbank. If they don't have a cooker, you've got to think outside the box to use microwaves, kettles or air fryers.

"The Westminster is good. It's so clean and there is lots of staff there, it is well-managed and a good place to go. You see a lot of people outside because there are a lot of people living there."

Richard has known Tracy for a few years.

"I know Tracy through my volunteering roles and my work. It is hard seeing these kids without a home," Richard said.

"Last year I spoke to all the headmasters in Rhyl - I asked them to read up on the laws because when you get an eviction notice you can't leave, you've got to wait for the bailiffs. If you leave before the bailiffs come, you are making yourself homeless and the councils don't always give the same help. You've got to know the rules."

Richard Kendrick during his sleepout challenge on High Street, Rhyl last year (Image: Richard Kendrick)
Richard has tents and sleeping bags in the back of his car at all times as well as hats and scarfs.

"We've just had a massive donation from The Magpie and Stump," Richard said.

"They have donated tents and sleeping bags.

"The first night we got them, we were out on the Rhyl prom and met a person that had been evicted from one of the hotels. Mental health is not in a good place. All the hotels do their best to look after people but some people push too much.

"There are a lot of pressures and drugs and alcohol.

"The downward spiral is so easy and it is a step-by-step process to get back up."

Richard said there are a lot of agencies helping, including the The Salvation Army.

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"These lads that are currently homeless in Rhyl aren't local," Richard said.

"Only one is local, they others are from away. They have been offered help to go back home but you don't know their stories. We've got two ladies that are Spanish and one from Wrexham.

"I give people my phone number and tell them to phone or text me. All they need sometimes is someone to talk to, five minutes on the phone, someone to listen to them."

Richard, who works as a social worker, feels the current problem is "just the tip of the iceberg."

"We need more social housing," he explained.

"Without more social housing, nothing is going to change.

"I urge people to just be kind this Christmas. Look out of your window and you will find one person who is lonely or homeless. Go up to people, say more than 'hi' - have a conversation. 

"In the New Year I plan to do 'Suspended Coffee' events.

"We have had donations off famous people and local people. We will leave money in certain cafes so lonely or homeless people can pop in for a drink and a bite to eat. It won't be full meals because I want it to last as long as it can.

"I'm hoping customers will buy two coffees - One for them and leave money for others to use."

Catch up on BBC Wales Investigates: I'm Homeless - How Will Santa Find Me? on BBC iPlayer.