Medway Winter Shelter

To support the Shelters this winter, Trustees have agreed to fund the shelters' running costs to the value of £8,000.

The Shelter has now run for three years but following the liquidisation of the Strood Community Project, it is hoped that by the end of this year a new charitable trust will be set up to be responsible for the shelters. 

 

Last year 45 guests were served with 12 going on to be housed. A quarter of the guests were women, two-thirds were UK residents and two-thirds reported some mental health issues.  The Shelter worked with 130 volunteers, fourteen church venues and with Medway Council, Caring Hands, Pathways to independence, the Food bank, the Emma's Charity and other organisations.

 

Following the close of the Shelter for the season in March 2018 a befriending service was set up which has run throughout the year, once a week as a Drop-in for those that are homeless or vulnerable housed. A home-cooked meal and leisure activities are made available, together with the opportunity for one to one support with form filling, literacy activities and just a listening ear.