Catching Lives charity launches Winter Shelter
Kind helpers serving a healthy hot meal to disadvantaged families in time of poverty, wearing protective face masks, aprons, name tags and protective gloves for hygiene
The Catching Lives charity in Canterbury is preparing to launch its Winter Shelter on 1st December to help those who need emergency shelter this cold season.
The charity partners with seven local churches to provide emergency accommodation to rough sleepers facing the brutal challenge of the cold winter nights.
Graeme Solly, Project Leader of the charity about the challenges rough sleepers face this season.
He said: “We see 100-150 different people every month, so we are anticipating there being this many people if not more each month over winter.”
The Catching Lives shelter is a vital support for those who find themselves without accommodation. The centre provides people with a postal address, showers, laundry, computer access, mental health support as well as arts and sports activities; creating a community to be part of.
Mr Solly said: “We are starting to see high numbers of people coming to us, they’re worried about how they are going to pay their rent, how they are going to pay their bills and that they’re worried that they’re going to become homeless.”
The Churches provide a space of up to 20 beds to provide a safe and warm space for those without shelter. Those who are seeking stable accommodation, can then go on to work with the Catching Lives charity, Rising Stars, DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) the council or social services about longer term accommodation.
But the charity has received fewer donations this year and may face risks of closure. Less donations and less fundraisers, means the future of the shelter looks uncertain. From February 2023, the shelter risks not being able to run.
Mr Solly added: “The two years with the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, we have seen a dramatic drop in the number of people giving us money as a one off or as direct debits, and also the community fundraising.”
“The focus of our campaign over winter is obviously keeping the night shelter open for as long as possible. So it opens on the 1st December and we hope that with the support of the community. We call it the Canterbury community shelter because without volunteers helping in many ways and people volunteering for us, it would not exist.”
The charity accepts cash donations as well as items of warm clothing and essentials. They are also appealing for evening volunteers to help at the centre. More information can be found on their Facebook and Twitter page.
