A charity on Deptford Broadway which houses society's most vulnerable people and helps them get their life back on track needs volunteers. Reporter Jamie Micklethwaite visited the 999 Club to find out more.

The 999 club offers homeless people a place to stay and a chance to improve their lives and is desperately seeking volunteers to help them out.

Just one of the many people helped by the 999 Club is Henry, 68, of Lewisham, who was evicted from his flat after losing his job as a security guard. He is now unable to pay his bills.

After three months of sleeping on the streets and being admitted to hospital for swollen feet, Henry found the 999 centre.

He said: ""I wouldn't normally talk to anyone about my homelessness, even my family don't know, but I wanted to show my appreciation.

"They're wonderful people and they care about you.

"It might not sound much but just being able to get a cup of coffee, I couldn't do that before, I had to find half empty cans on the street."

Henry now helps out at the centre, mopping and sweeping the floors as a way of showing his gratitude He said: "I've seen so many people benefit from the centre, they've helped people even more than they have helped me.

As well as Henry the charity receives visits from around 200 people a day, looking for anything from advice, to a cup of coffee and a piece of toast in the morning.

Club operations manager Paul Hughes said: "The problem is we've got more and more people becoming homeless for the first time.

"They just don't know what to do - their instincts kick in but they don't want to be seen in charities like ourselves, it's a matter of pride."

The 999 club focuses on helping people move off the street into accommodation and getting themselves a job.

Mr Hughes added that the shelter does not allow alcohol or any drug taking on the premises, so people exercies a choice in deciding wheter to drink or come into the night shelter.

"We offer help to anyone who wants to help themselves.

As well as offering a day and night centre, the 999 Club run a nursery to prepare children and their parents for school life.

Volunteers have helped to establish a bike programme which will be set-up in the new year and an I.T and numeracy course, giving some of the people at the club their first ever opportunity to use a computer.

Club chief executive Peter Wood said: "What we need are self starters.

"We often find that people who volunteer here just don't know how skilled they are.

"It amazes me that you only hear stories about the homeless in winter, it's a problem we have all year round."

For anyone interested in volunteering at the centre, email nightshelter@999.org