Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter - News Blog

Bishop of Dover's New Year Message from Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:37:40 -0300

Bishop of Dover, Trevor Willmott and his wife, visited Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter on New Year's day evening, where it was being hosted by St John's church, Folkestone. He recorded the following podcast:

"I will never forget my people"

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:50:00 -0300

Service of Commemoration for homeless people who died in the last year.

There was a memorial service at St Martin in the Fields on Thursday. Hayley and myself visited to pay our respects to Zoe. It was a well thought out, deeply moving service, with over 140 names read out. These were people who were homeless, or who had a history of homelessness. There were also some carers, partners and project workers names as well.

There was poetry, song, prayers and a reflection on these people's lives. Very often, homeless people can be marginalised and ignored. What was evident was that these people HAD had lives of significance to somebody and that all were equally precious and valued before God.

Towards the end of the service, people were invited to place a dove with the deceased person's name, onto a painted backdrop of sunshine and a rainbow. It was said that all of them had been part of the rainbow people of God - all loved and valued.

This backdrop was then slowly hoisted up, each of the doves included, some were on the rainbow, by the sun, in the sun's rays and some hanging from the bottom.

It was a very profound, moving sight.
Zoe, represented by a small dove, was there, surrounded by others. Perhaps an image of her now being surrounded by the love of God - and the others she is now in company with. Also, possibly a picture of the love she was surrounded by, when she was in the shelter.

Pictures can be viewed here:

Porchlight Street Count

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:13:57 -0300

There is a Porchlight Organised "Street Count", which helps to (gu)estimate the number of rough sleepers in an area. From this, the figures obtained can help to release further funds and resources from central government if a problem is seen to exist. Last year, 5 people were found sleeping rough in and around Folkestone. We could not count in some areas due to lack of volunteers, so the figure may potentially have been higher. The more people who volunteer, the more areas can be counted. I f you would like to be included please fill in the form and email back to Chris Coffey (Porchlight East Kent Outreach Manager) or simply ring him up on 07734595322. No expereince is required and it can be away in which you can find out more about rough sleeping around your area. You will be sent out with an experienced person in a team of 2 or 3. Last year, councillors, housing officers, PCOs, Porchlight and other workers were part of the teams. They would be grateful of any help and it is not too late to become involved.

N.B. The count will be carried out from 02:00AM on 21/10/2010

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We won!

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:02:24 -0300

Having been nominated and shortlisted for the Kent Housing Group Excellence Awards for Services for Vulnerable People - WE ACTUALLY WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is an incredible achievement and was only achieved by the team work involved. For a first time venture, in competiton with many long established agencies/organisations, this was an incredible result. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!
The video was shown and it generated a lot of interest.

Our nomination to the Directory of Social Change Awards was not shortlisted as there was stiff competition from over 700 worthy nominees! Still, winning this in our first year was very inspiring and shows how the project is valued amongst peer agencies.

Perspective - some words from a relative of a shelter guest as we look forward to this coming winter's operation

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 07:24:04 -0300

I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who works runs and operates this shelter as last year my brother was lucky enough to stay within the shelters and in the worst winter for 30 years it must have been a blessing.
Without you i know he would be dead, as living on the street was no fun with no food no where to sleep and nothing to live for.
But with your help and guidance he is slowly sorting himself out and he never stops talking about how kind and caring and how it was gods blessing to be able to stay in one of the churches out of the cold a matress and a bag with hes covers and to be able to eat good food, hot decent meals and sleep a night and even shower and change.
So thank you to all of you as without you he would have died.

God bless you all and Thank you xx

FCWS 2009-2010 Operation

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 08:42:24 -0300

You all helped to achieve this. Thank you all!

Awards and Publicity

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:53:37 -0300

Last week, the project received some very favourable coverage during the BBC South East Spending review debate, which included the Bishop of Dover, Trevor Willmott.
Last year's project has also received nominations from:

Kent Housing Group for the Kent Housing Group Services to Vulnerable People Award - where we have actually been shortlisted.

The Directory of Social Change where there have been nominations for:

Best new project award; and Influencer award - there is no news yet on shortlisting for these but we will keep you posted. None of this could have been achieved without YOU! By working together in partnership, much has been achieved - well done all!

Exciting times

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:43:30 -0300

A new project manager has been appointed for this year's venture. His name is Colin Bridgland and more details will follow. I am sure we would all wish to congratulate him and welcome him into his new role and look forward to supporting and working with him over the coming period. Personnel may change from last year, the work and scope of the project has not. The important task is to continue to build together the valuable project which is the Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter.

Following an evaluation of last year's project, the Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter steering group has decided to increase the number of project personnel from 2 to 4. This acknowledges the scale of the work and scope of the project from last year, and also the amount of management/advocacy/project/administration work required. The new team will consist of:

A project manager
2 project workers who will each work alternately.
1 project administrator for administration

Project Overview Powerpoint Presentation to show what we did.

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:40:02 -0300

This was shown on our project evaluation day to help people see what we did and how we went about it

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Under new management

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:16:20 -0300

The Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter project will now be managed by the Folkestone Rainbow Centre under the direction of Colin Taylor (CEO Rainbow Centre) and trustees, along with a steering group with input also coming from previous workers, agencies, church venue coordinators and service users - the latter probably by means of a service user forum.

This bold step will ensure the provision of the project for the coming winter. In future years the intention is to try to float the venture as a stand alone project.

All correspondence should be directed to Colin Taylor at the Rainbow centre, using the links from the "Interested?" page.

If anyone has funding experience or would like to get involved in any other way, please use the electronic form on the "Interested?" page which will inform the Rainbow Centre of your interest.