A TEAM of volunteers are tackling homelessness and addiction on the streets of Greenock.

Street Connect aim to offer hope and opportunities to the most disadvantaged and marginalised individuals in the area.

Every Tuesday they've been taking to the streets of Inverclyde to reach out to those in need.

The charity has formed a partnership with Prospecthill Christian Fellowship in Greenock as historically Inverclyde has been in the top four Scottish councils facing addiction issues at a high level.

Operations manager Alex Nicol, women's support worker Pamela McFadden and volunteer Andrew Hawker, whose life has 'changed dramatically' thanks to the charity, are reaching out to those in need.

Greenock-born support worker Pamela hopes the charity's presence will make a big difference for vulnerable people in the area.

She worked with Street Connect before going to bible college for a year and is back and enjoying her role.

Pamela said: "Since 2013 I've watched the whole thing grow and we've been able to help so many people across the west of Scotland.

"It's such a privilege to connect with people and see them take a journey to better themselves.

"I feel really fortunate that I get to help individuals along the way." While both the charity's Greenock drop-in cafe and community recovery group are currently suspended due to Covid-19, Alex, Pamela and Andrew can still be found in Greenock town centre every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm.

They are able to offer one-to-one support, rehab referrals and aftercare support and are hopeful that they will be able to resume all other services in the coming months.

The individuals the charity work with come with a range of complex needs including addiction, mental health issues, trauma, offending and poverty.

Andrew, 35, said: "The charity have supported me and totally changed my life.

"Life wasn't worth living as I had no purpose and was turning to drugs.

"They managed to get me and my brother into a programme and on the right track and now I've got my own flat and I feel alive again."

*To find out more about Street Connect, call Alex on 07760270350 or email alex@streetconnect.co.uk