The charity, which operates from the Pilgrim Centre in Regent Circus on Monday and Tuesdays, provides hot meals, friendship and practical support for people experiencing homelessness, sofa surfing and food poverty.
During a recent visit by Swindon24, volunteers welcomed 107 guests through the doors. Founded in 2016, Alternative Angels began by serving around 15 people beneath the steps at the Wyvern Theatre car park. It has since grown into one of Swindon’s best-known community charities.
Co-founder Jane Richards said the organisation is about much more than providing food.
“They’re all from different backgrounds, but they’re either rough sleeping, sofa surfing or suffering from food poverty. Our job here is to make sure everybody has a hot meal, and that they’re being seen and they’re being heard.”
Around 30 volunteers now support the charity every week. Meals are prepared by home cooks, Duke of Edinburgh Award students who make sandwiches and other volunteers serve food, spend time talking with guests and help connect people with other support services.
The charity also helps people after they move into accommodation by providing donated furniture and household items to help them settle into a new home.
Despite being volunteer-led, Alternative Angels faces monthly running costs of around £2,500 to cover rent, food packaging, cutlery and other essential supplies.
Jane said securing funding remains one of the charity’s biggest challenges.
“It’s forever getting funding,” she said.
“We’d love businesses to do some fundraising for us, donate 25 meals to us once a month. This is a huge community project, and I think the more people that are involved, the better we are as a community.”
Several local businesses, including Fratellos and Piri Piri Chicken, already donate monthly meals to the charity, but Jane hopes more companies will come forward to offer support through donations, fundraising or volunteering.
For many guests, the service provides much more than a hot meal. One man, who has been homeless for the past four months, described Alternative Angels as a lifeline.
“I couldn’t live without them, truth be told,” he said.
Without a home, he said having somewhere warm to eat and speak to volunteers has become an important part of his week.
“Back in the day when I was homeless before, there was nothing like this. At least now there’s somewhere to go.
“They’re all genuine, lovely people. They let you talk if you’re having trouble and help any way they can.”
Asked what he would say to the volunteers, he replied: “Thank you very much because we can’t do without you.”
Another guest said the rising cost of living had left them struggling to afford food after paying rent.
“It doesn’t only support by food,” they said.
“It’s got a support network. It’s helped me make friends and realise you’re not the only one in the world it’s happening to.
“It’s useful, but it’s also a lifeline.”
Swindon Borough Council leader Gary Sumner recently visited the charity and praised the work carried out by its volunteers.
“They’re truly life-changing for people that attend,” he said.
“Some people are homeless. Other people are just feeling the pinch. They welcome somewhere to come in, have a conversation and get signposted to services if they need it.”
He added that support from businesses could make a significant difference.
“They’ve got the volunteers. They’ve got the people making these meals in their own kitchens. What costs money is buying the food. If businesses or the public can help take that pressure off, it would be really appreciated.”
Nearly a decade after it was established, Alternative Angels continues to provide a welcoming space for hundreds of people every week, offering food, companionship and access to wider support services.
As demand continues to rise, the charity hopes more businesses and members of the public will step forward to help ensure its work can continue.
Every pound the charity raises is matched by Zurich Community Foundation. You can donate to them on the Zurich website.
