To mark the new partnership, committee chairperson Adele O’Grady QC visited the charity at its Townsend Street Headquarters to learn first-hand about its vital work with the homeless.

Ms O’Grady said: “I had the privilege of visiting the Welcome Organisation recently at their centre at Townsend Street in Belfast.

“It brought home to me the power of small things - how a simple donation of tea or coffee provides warmth for someone coming in from sleeping rough, how unwanted pieces of wood and fabric can be reused during therapeutic art classes. The provision of a calm and safe space, a hot shower and a washing machine makes all the difference to someone coming in after a night on the streets.

“The Charity Committee is honoured to support this cause and we ask our members to work with us throughout the year to support our chosen charity. We will be knocking on your door!

“I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous work done by Sinead McKeagney who is the outgoing Chairperson of the Charity Committee. The Boom Foundation, Threshold and Autism Initiatives all benefited from her leadership and support and I am pleased she will remain a member of the committee to offer her advice. Our sincere thanks to her for the fantastic work that she did.”

Sandra Moore, CEO of The Welcome Organisation, said: “The Welcome Organisation is delighted to be selected as The Bar of Northern Ireland’s charity for 2017-18 and we look forward to partnering with the Bar throughout the year to raise vital funds to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

“The money raised by the Bar of Northern Ireland will go towards the charity’s range of services including our Drop-in Centre, our Street Outreach service, our Crisis Accommodation for Women, our Floating Support service and our Street Gems creative social enterprise.

“The Welcome Organisation grew up as a community initiative and our roots remain firmly in the community working with and for people affected by or at risk of homelessness. Many of the men and women who come to the Welcome Organisation have complex and multiple needs, including severe and enduring difficulties with physical and mental health and substance use. We could not provide the full level of support that we do without the generosity of groups like the Bar of Northern Ireland.”