Basildon Emergency Night Shelter

Winter Night Shelter - Middle November to end of March Who are we? We are a group of volunteers, of all ages and from all walks of life, from the Church and Community with a shared aim to help vulnerable people. Some of us will have volunteered before but many will be new to the shelters this year. What do we do? We share compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves and aim to provide a safe, comfortable place for people who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. We give them a warm welcome, food and a warm bed for the night. All are welcome regardless of race, colour, creed, disability and sex. The volunteers lend a listening ear when needed and supply information about agencies that may be able to help our guests. The volunteers and guests have rules and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to enable the smooth running of the shelters and to make for a safe, peaceful night. When are our volunteer time slots This year the shelters open on Sunday, 11th November and run until the end of March. 7 nights a week. Doors open 9.30 or 8.30pm and close 8 am. Volunteers work one of the four following shifts Evening shift 8.15 or 9.15pm -11pm. Night shift 11pm-7am Morning shift 7am-8.30am There is also a shift after the free meals provided by Project 58.7 on Mondays at St. Martin’s Church between 7.30pm and 9pm. Our guests stay here until they leave for the shelters which are at a different venue. Where are our shelters 7 churches throughout Basildon and Laindon: Mondays at Kingswood Baptist Church. Codenham Straight, Basildon Tuesdays at St. Therese Catholic Church. Florence Way, Laindon. Wednesdays at Swan Mead Christian Fellowship . Church Road, Basildon. Thursdays at Salvation Army. Fauners,Basildon. Fridays at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Ballards Walk, Lee Chapel North. Saturdays at United Reformed Church. Honeypot Lane, Basildon. Sundays at Trinity Methodist Church. Clayhill Road, Basildon. Why are we targeting the homeless for our help? There are many rough sleepers in the Basildon area. Some you may have seen around the town centre but there are many more who you would be unaware of. They are frequently physically and verbally attacked, just because they are seen as “different”. They have their belongings stolen or destroyed because they are vulnerable. They are people just like you and me and most didn’t choose to be on the streets. They deserve to be treated with respect and to feel safe at night.