The Bishop’s Stortford Winter Night Shelter
Jordan Hinks
To the citizens of Bishop’s Stortford, a historic market town populated by approximately 38,000, having around ten homeless people walking their streets seems very few.
However, in the winter streaming into 2018, the temperature dropped and the snow settled making the Holy Trinity Church a vital sanctuary for these people. Initially, it was predicted that there would be less visitors this year, but unfortunately this has not been the case: an equal number of guests have stayed. Reasons such as reduced income, unfortunate circumstances, mental health issues, alcoholism, drug abuse and promised accommodation have led to these people using the Winter Night Shelter. These circumstances have prevented people from being in their own home with the central heating turned up to bake such like the rest of this town.
Previously, some of the visitors have had jobs yet no shelter at night and gladly I can say that the majority of visitors from last year have been provided accommodation. The Night Shelter sees a diverse range of ages (18-60), personalities and circumstances all venturing here to have a warm night’s sleep, to be fed and to use the washing facilities. Within the Shelter there is showers and facilities to wash clothes available. The Shelter has social benefits for its visitors as it allows them to spend their evenings watching TV, playing games and chatting.
Each night this winter, since the 22nd November 2017, two teams 9 an evening team and an overnight team) have supervised, helped and prepared meals for their visitors. Not all of these considerate and kind volunteers are connected to the church and there are no religious duties for the homeless people to fulfil. Booking a bed occurs in the morning, which in previous years forced these visitors to wander around Bishop’s Stortford for hours. However, much has changed this year as the church is open at lunch for guests. During the daytime when the Shelter is open, there are activities set up for the visitors and refreshments.
It is important to note that although volunteers must be aged 18 or older, the Winter Night Shelter welcomes all of those able and willing to apply to be a volunteer and go for an induction.
However, in the winter streaming into 2018, the temperature dropped and the snow settled making the Holy Trinity Church a vital sanctuary for these people. Initially, it was predicted that there would be less visitors this year, but unfortunately this has not been the case: an equal number of guests have stayed. Reasons such as reduced income, unfortunate circumstances, mental health issues, alcoholism, drug abuse and promised accommodation have led to these people using the Winter Night Shelter. These circumstances have prevented people from being in their own home with the central heating turned up to bake such like the rest of this town.
Previously, some of the visitors have had jobs yet no shelter at night and gladly I can say that the majority of visitors from last year have been provided accommodation. The Night Shelter sees a diverse range of ages (18-60), personalities and circumstances all venturing here to have a warm night’s sleep, to be fed and to use the washing facilities. Within the Shelter there is showers and facilities to wash clothes available. The Shelter has social benefits for its visitors as it allows them to spend their evenings watching TV, playing games and chatting.
Each night this winter, since the 22nd November 2017, two teams 9 an evening team and an overnight team) have supervised, helped and prepared meals for their visitors. Not all of these considerate and kind volunteers are connected to the church and there are no religious duties for the homeless people to fulfil. Booking a bed occurs in the morning, which in previous years forced these visitors to wander around Bishop’s Stortford for hours. However, much has changed this year as the church is open at lunch for guests. During the daytime when the Shelter is open, there are activities set up for the visitors and refreshments.
It is important to note that although volunteers must be aged 18 or older, the Winter Night Shelter welcomes all of those able and willing to apply to be a volunteer and go for an induction.