A COMMUNITY centre supporting some of Southend's most vulnerable residents is taking centre stage in a new documentary about its essential charity efforts.

St Vincent's Centre, on Short Street, offers a range of services, workshops and support groups to the dozens of visitors it receives every day.

Having partnered with a leading film production company, the centre's team hopes the newly released film will help raise awareness around their work in the city.

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Daniel Cauchi, centre manager at St Vincent's, said: "Three years ago we wanted to get the awareness out there, so we worked with DT films to produce a documentary about homelessness and what we do at St Vincent's.

"We're incredibly proud to have worked with the production company, led by the inspiring Donna Taylor and Neil Simpson.

"Their powerful documentary has received special recognition at international film festivals, including Bangkok, Shoreditch and the UN-linked Big Syn International Film Festival."

Premiere - Daniel Cauchi (far left) at the documentary's premiere(Image: Daniel Cauchi)

Founded by Donna Taylor in 2009, DT Films has produced a range of short films, features and documentaries for corporate and charity clients.

The film, titled Hearts Without Homes, is narrated by actor Shane Richie and follows some of the vulnerable residents that Daniel and the other St Vincent's staff and volunteers support.

A DT Films description of the documentary states: "These raw testimonies serve as a wake-up call to all of us, challenging us to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie just beyond our daily scrolling."

Support - The documentary shines a spotlight on Southend's homeless population(Image: DT Films)

Daniel added: "At St Vincent's Southend, we want to give heartfelt thanks to Donna and Neil for building genuine relationships with those who've faced homelessness and hardship.

"Through empathy and trust, they've helped give our community a voice -- showing the world that homelessness can affect anyone, and that with understanding and hope, lives can change."

Southend's St Vincent's Centre is open every day and offers a range of support to those in the community who are vulnerable or homeless.

In addition to the services run by the team at St Vincent's, the centre also hosts healthcare professionals who engage with service users in a safe environment.

You can watch the trailer for Hearts Without Homes at youtube.com/watch?v=c17rpCsHTVM