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

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.

Please read our report. Any constructive feedback most welcome!

FCWS 2009/10 Report summary

It was a moving service on a warm sunny day. The place was packed out ~ 90 people - evidence that she was loved by many people. There was some, understandably, raw emotion. ~ 21 of us from the winter shelter went to support Zoe, her family and each other.
Speaking with her father afterwards, he said, "At least she is safe now." Many spoke of the tragic loss of a young life but there was also recognition that she had lived and embraced life and profoundly affected many people whom she came into contact with.

Afterwards, many from the shelter contingent went to Pevensey Bay and we all had an ice cream in memory of  Zoe. It reminded me of Jesus's words - "Do this in remebrance of me". We did this in remembrance of Zoe and all she meant to us. Unfortunately, we could not find fish sticks/crab sticks. Maybe that is for another time - Crab sticks and Coke as a memorial.

Why the food theme? In Zoe's first week, she could not eat the "spicy" (but definitely non-spicy) vegetarian sausage casserole that we had got for her - especially as she had covered it in pepper first. We asked her what she wanted and she said "fishsticks and ice cream". So people went out into Folkestone to Asda and Sainabury's at ~10:00 pm in order to find some. We ended up going to Tesco's by the M20 to get some. She skipped, laughed and smiled when we got back. She also liked to drink Coke.

We thought of her as we were on the beach at Pevensey Bay. Rest in peace, Zoe, you enriched the lives of all who met you at the shelter.

Zoe's funeral will take place at Langney Crematorium, Eastbourne on 27th April at 4:00 pm. The family have said that all are welcome, particularly those who made a real difference to the final months of her life.

Many will be going and we can arrange transport. We would also like some people to offer transport if going, as many volunteers and guests who wish to attend do not have their own transport or means to obtain it.

The crematorium can be found at:

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=16&title=Eastbourne%20Cemeteries%20and%20Crematorium&countryCode=GB&qs=BN238AE#map=50.81982,0.31517|12|4

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of one of our former guests, Zoe Orr. Zoe had stayed with us for over 2 months and finally obtained a place in a project in Canterbury. Zoe had many issues which we saw, particularly with drug use. Despite this, however, we did see much beauty in her. In particular, her sheer delight at building a snowman outside St Saviour's church one night, her joy at being pampered and having her hair done and a makeover, her realisation that we saw her as precious and beautiful beneath her drug issues and her realisation that she could choose otherwise. She, the person beneath was beautiful - Princess Zoe was the name Vikki (a volunteer) coined for her.

She was met with love by many people in the churches and was deeply affected by this. Many volunteers also formed deep bonds with Zoe and were impacted by meeting her.

You all had an impact on her life and she will be greatly missed.

WE had a great night on 27th March. Over 80 people came, including several previous winter shelter guests who had come to stay with us. One even bravely came to the front for an interview, whose take away comment was "It works, believe me, what you have here, it works!"

Thanks to Julie (JJ) Johnson, "Laurel", Linda, Hayley and Michelle for catering in style.

Thanks to the people who attended, volunteers and guests. It was also an opportunity to showcase other projects which are running through the year which people can get involved with: CAB volunteering, FoodStop, Rainbow Centre etc.

It was truly wonderful and a tribute to all volunteers and hosting venues involved that our previous winter shelter guests felt comfortable to come along and be with us again and participate in the evening.

Very often there with this sort of work there can be an "us and them" attitude. It was great that people felt included and welcomed.

Thank you all.

Walked on the procession of the crosses up the hill from town. Churches Together Folkestone do amazing stuff. It was wonderful to see so many people from the churches who had been volunteers in the Winter Shelter and even a guest.

We also moved a fair amount of furniture around for people who had just got their own flats. It is great to see people getting sorted and taking ownership including decorating their own places.