Financial advisors Centrus were the first company to host a lunchtime BBQ for 28 residents of central London homelessness scheme Bruce House in partnership with Church Housing Trust.

Bruce House is part of a block of residences that includes 17 Peabody flats, Centrepoint, which runs 30 rooms for under-25s, and a further building for 30 individuals with more severe mental health issues.

Residents came out into the central courtyard to enjoy the warm weather and a selection of sausages, burgers and crisps along with a soundtrack of classic rock, pop, and reggae, courtesy of one of the staff members.

Bruce House support worker Ligua commented:

“It’s a great opportunity for us to have a BBQ day where we invite our tenants as well as our neighbours.

“It’s a chance to bring people together, and having a corporation organise the event mixes people from different walks of life, and with different experiences of life.

“It’s [a way to break down] perceptions; what people from different comfort zones see as ‘the other’. People who have no knowledge of what being homeless means get to understand that. And those who may be a bit uncomfortable of people who work in a suit are able to see they are just normal people who can cook a barbeque, have a laugh, maybe burn a sausage!

“It’s vital because at the end of the day, we are all people together.”