A service of remembrance has been organised for people who have lost friends or family through homelessness or substance misuse. People are invited to a special thanksgiving and remembrance service with Christmas carols, poetry, candles and a time of reflection, to pay respect to absent friends.

Bournemouth's Homeless and Substance Misuse Christmas Service of Remembrance has become an annual event, now in its second year. The event proved very poignant last year with over 250 people coming together to remember friends and family who have passed away while struggling with homelessness or substance misuse.

Beki Nightingall, Project Leader of BCHA's Hannah House, commented; "Last year the remembrance service meant so much to both myself and the residents I work with. To have this opportunity to come together to remember those who have passed and share our memories was deeply moving."

Kaye Mills, a resident of Hannah House, said: "I felt honoured and proud to be asked to read my poetry for the homeless people at Christmas time last year. I was overwhelmed at the amount of people who attended the service in sincere support for the homeless - God Bless them."

This years event is being held at West Cliff Baptist Church in Westbourne on Friday 9th December at 4pm.

Revd. Chris Brockway, Minister of West Cliff Baptist Church commented: "We were overcome by the success of last year's service. It was very moving to become part of such a close-knit community of those who wrestle daily with homelessness and addiction. There was such a closeness last year between people as they shared moments of both joy and pain together.

"We'd like to thank everyone who has supported the organisation of this year's service which we are looking forward to with anticipation. We invite everyone who has been affected by homelessness and substance misuse to come along and join us in remembering those we have lost."

If you would like more information about the service, please email: lee@westcliffbaptistchurch.org.uk