Shelter Project
Connect, Challenge, Commit – Homeless Sunday
Connect During the service, we heard a number of statistics about homelessness in England. In 2014-15: 840 families and individuals were assessed as homeless 54,430 moved into Temporary Accommodation 1,368,312 families and individuals on council waiting lists 384,854 tenancies allocated last year 2,744 individuals were included in the Nov 2014 rough sleeper count. 7,581 people were found sleeping on London’s streets Challenge Nicola told us the story of Billy, a fictional character but one which is based on many…
Kam’s diary on the Shelter Project as a first time volunteer
Kam visited the Shelter project for the first time last Thursday. She sent us a copy of her diary entry for the day. It shows brilliantly how the project benefits both the guests and volunteers and gives an overview of how the project works. Diary entry for the Shelter Project Hounslow, evening of Thursday 7 January 2016. Having volunteered to provide support in any way in the kitchen area, I undertook the role of General Kitchen Hand. I found the…
The Shelter Project has started
The Shelters opened yesterday (2nd) with Bell Road being used each Thursday. We, together with St Mary’s Osterley, are committed to running the Thursday shelter for the next 13 weeks. This involves welcoming the guests (up to 14 men each night), providing, cooking and serving a hot evening meal and cooked breakfast as well as setting up the beds etc. A volunteer sheet was given out before Christmas with all the information about the project on – if you didn’t get…
Shelter Project – Good News!
Recently there has been, and still is to a certain extent, a concern about the future of The Shelter Project Hounslow for this coming season. The Steering Group of the whole project met this last week to make important decisions about this winter and the level of service, if any, that could be offered. This was also Margaret’s first meeting as a member of the Steering Group, coordinating fund raising in the future. The good news is that the project…
The Shelter Project Annual Report
This was the second year of us coordinating the project here at Hounslow Methodist Bell Road. Again Margaret and I were the co-coordinators from Bell Rd. Steve with the help of Susan were the co- coordinators form St Mary’s. We had a full house straight away and most Thursday nights there were between 10-15 men staying over. We also for the first time people joining us just for a meal. On some Thursdays it felt like we were feeding the…
Final Shelter Update
This season is now over and we bade our guests farewell this week. Having got to know some of them quite well we hope some will call in to see us at Coffee Stop sometimes. Several more of the men had good news to share with keys to pick up to rooms or flats in the next few days and some with some work. Many thanks go to the Project Caseworker, Raj, and to Beverley, the Project Coordinator, who have…
Shelter Update
This week is the last of this season’s Shelter. Several of the men are hoping to be in position to move into their own accommodation, some have managed to pick up some work, and support where possible is being arranged. It is a very unsettling time for our guests as the stability of the shelters come to an end and many are showing signs of anxiety. Please keep them in your prayers.
Shelter Update – 1st February
The shelter season is half way through! This last week the shelter was completely full – we had 14 overnight guests and provided an additional 11 meals for those turning up at the door (and volunteers were fed too!). Amazingly there was just the right amount of food! This week we served a meal of homemade chicken pie, potatoes & veg, followed by chocolate bread and butter pudding – all served by smiling volunteers at tables beautifully set by Ackhira…
Shelter Update – Sunday 23rd January
The shelters are almost at capacity at the moment with new guests being welcomed this week. We are also providing meals only to some that just turn up at the door and are pleased that we are in the position to provide a hot meal and some company if only for an hour or two. Please continue to remember the project in your prayers.
Shelter Update – Sunday 17th January
Please continue to pray for the homeless shelter – the guests and the volunteers. The nights are so cold at the moment and we are pleased we can do the little we do to bring some comfort to those without a warm place to sleep. This week we welcomed two new guests into the shelter. One guest has left having secured work and accommodation which we give thanks fo
Shelter Update – January 11th
The shelter here at Bell Road remains open every Thursday night until the end of March and we are so grateful to all those who have volunteered to help in so many ways. We have had some good evenings so far and are getting to know our guests better. The evenings are happy with lots of conversations and often a game or two – even if rules are often disputed! Some of the men have begun to pick up a little work or are…
Shelter Update
Another good evening at the shelter this week again with almost a ‘full house’. It is good to be getting to know some of a guests a bit better. One guest started a job on Friday which is good news and we pray for success in this and that it may lead to a more settled future. The needs of the men are very varied; all are vulnerable in many different ways. Please keep them in your prayers. Thank you…