According to the latest data there are approximately twenty people sleeping rough in Tamworth. As a parish we have looked closely at this. We have also brought it before all the other Tamworth Churches. To help alleviate this Tamworth Churches (TCC), supported by Housing Justice, have decided to run a Winter Night Shelter.
So, seven churches including ours will provide their premises on consecutive nights. The shelter will run from 8.00pm to 8.00am for a maximum of 10 people. It will operate under the Starfish charity. We are planning to run a pilot scheme in February 2017 for one month and then, with that experience, look to run it throughout the whole winter next year.
We are looking for 15+ volunteers to help us make this project a success. The following roles need to be filled:
A venue coordinator
- People to register and welcome the guests
- Some to cook and server an evening meal
- Volunteers to cook and serve breakfast
- At least two/three people for night ‘duty’
- Washing bed linen
- Driving beds to the next venue.
We will probably only be operating once a week for the pilot period. Training will be provided, if you are interested, please contact us.