A BOURNEMOUTH charity supporting rough sleepers as they transition into accommodation has been given £500 by a Ringwood-based housebuilder to support its work following the coronavirus lockdown.

Second Chance was noticed by Bellway Wessex as part of the housebuilder’s ‘Local Heroes’ scheme, a new charity scheme that supports local causes doing great things in the community.

Shelley Rose founded Second Chance back in 2018 with her friend and colleague Haddie Kilner to support rough sleepers wanting to get into accommodation.

The charity, which started in Bournemouth, now help in areas across Dorset and south-west Hampshire including Verwood, Ringwood, Swanage and Weymouth.

Shelley said: “All the donations we receive at Second Chance always go straight back into the clients we are helping, as we don’t believe in sitting on funds when there is always someone to help.

“We currently have about 30 clients, 10 of whom we have been working with closely as they need more support. Our support continues until our clients are stable and no longer need us.

“The generous donation Bellway has given us will go towards our rough sleepers needs as well as clients who are currently moving into new accommodation and will help them with household items.”

As well as running Second Chance, Shelley is a local councillor on Verwood Town Council and has also created the ‘Verwood Coronavirus Community Support’ group, delivering supplies and support to those who are most vulnerable in the community.

Kim Caldwell, Sales Director for Bellway Wessex, said: “Shelley and her team are truly extraordinary people, which is why we nominated them for our new ‘Local Heroes’ scheme.

“Now more than ever it is important to support the heroes in the community and we wanted to help Second Chance which is supporting people in communities across Dorset and Hampshire.

“We want to thank Shelley and her team for their selflessness and commitment to giving people that second chance they need to get back on their feet. We hope that our donation allows the charity to help even more people in the weeks and months to come.”