A LANGUAGE school has launched a food collection box to be donated to vulnerable people at a housing support project this Christmas.

EC Brighton, in Manchester Street, began collecting food in its reception area on Wednesday to donate to Brighton Housing Trust (BHT).

The food will then be distributed to people experiencing mental health and substance misuse problems who have been given shelter at residential care home Shore House, on the seafront.

Leshmi Kishore, student services co-ordinator at the school, said: “I think it is important that we are holding this collection because obviously it is Christmas time and a lot of people are quite fortunate in the area.

“It is good to give back at this time of year, especially when some people don’t have family or friends to keep them company.

“We are trying to get our students and everyone else involved in the collection.

“We just want to get as many donations as we can before Christmas.

“It is a great way to bring people together and help towards a good cause.”

The school is keen to collect products with a long shelf-life, including tins of fruit and vegetables, cereal, biscuits and tinned hot meals.

It has asked people not to donate items such as milk, cheese, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Shore House is a residential care home providing 20 units of accommodation in one large house.

The home offers intensive and high levels of support tailored to individual needs with the aim of helping people live more independent lives, with staff on site 24 hours a day.

Andy Winter, chief executive of BHT, said: “It’s fantastic that we are receiving support from the local EC language school, who are collecting donations for residents at BHT’s Shore House.

“Shore House provides 24-hour support to some of the most vulnerable people within the community.

“Residents receive support with mental health, alcohol and drug issues and have preparation with moving on to live independent lives.”

The language school, which shares an office building with The Argus, will be accepting donations for the home’s residents until December 22.