Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter (MCWS) first opened it’s doors in December 2013, with the aim of supporting the many people in need of shelter and help in our town over the coldest winter months. At that time, leading homelessness charity, Porchlight, warned of an almost 50% rise in rough sleeping in Kent.
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There are many factors behind homelessness including unemployment, national austerity, family and relationship breakdowns, mental or physical illness, addiction and/or substance misuse, migration, poverty and debt, the struggle to return to independence after prison or care & acute shortages of affordable housing. The list of reasons is endless.
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Also, a minority of people refuse help and some drop in and out of support. Others, especially migrants, have no recourse to public funds and are especially isolated.
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Since day one we have been overwhelmed with the support we have received from our local churches, our many volunteers (both secular and non secular) and our funders/donors. Without this support, we would not have been able to open our doors each winter and we are incredibly thankful for all the kindness and generosity we have received, and continue to receive, which enables us to welcome our guests each year.
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WINTER 2024-25
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Our 2024-25 winter shelter opened it's doors on Monday 30 December 2024 and closed on the morning of Monday 31st March 2025. Over this 3-month period we offered:
Overnight Accommodation
for 51 people who could not be supported by Maidstone Borough Council, especially at short notice, or for those people with no recourse to public funds. In total this avoided 625 street sleeps.
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Meals & Hospitality
Afternoons - We served hot drinks & snacks from a warm venue and also registered guests for evening meals and overnight accommodation when required.
Evenings - we offered hot meals, hospitality and support plus some social interaction between guests, volunteers and staff in the form of games nights, film nights etc.
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In total, over the 3 month winter period that we were open, we served:
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1530 eat-in hot meals
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36 takeaway meals
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Support/Signposting
During the above sessions our guests were given the opportunity to talk about any concerns they had and to obtain advice and support as needed. Our staff and volunteers used their skills and knowledge to offer appropriate support, signposting guests to other agencies where relevant, for example with medical advice, addictions, counselling etc.
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Throughout the winter we supported 137 people who were homeless, those in temporary accommodation with little or no cooking facilities, plus others who were genuinely in need of a hot meal and/or support.
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Prevention of homelessness
This encompassed all our activities. For people who were struggling to pay rent, heating bills and buy the basics such as essential food, we offered hot meals and advice on claiming benefits, pensions etc.
For those people, they were often just one step away from becoming homeless and sometimes just needed help with basic necessities or skills to enable them to help themselves.
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HELP OUT TO EAT OUT
Homeless charities warn that, across the UK, the number of rough sleepers could increase significantly due to the current global economic crisis.
Alongside the distress and discomfort of being homeless, the experience can also be isolating.
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Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter liaises closely with Maidstone Borough Council Homeless Support Team each winter, to ensure help is available for people in need.
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Our priorities continue to be the provision of shelter, meals, hospitality and support (including signposting to other services where appropriate; for example, housing, counselling, benefits etc).
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If you wish to help, donations can be made by clicking on the 'Donate' button below. £10 pays for a meal, hot drinks and snacks for one or more of our guests during the winter.
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The Winter Shelter makes a big difference to the lives of people who, in circumstances often beyond their control, find themselves homeless.
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According to Crisis, the true number of rough sleepers is far greater than those reported and, if nothing changes, its own research predicts considerable increases in numbers of street homeless over the coming years. Homelessness includes those people who are sofa surfing or sleeping in tents, cars, trains and buses.
Whilst homelessness continues in Maidstone, Kent, Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter will be there to provide help and support, working alongside other agencies and organisations, including volunteers and team members.
Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter is a member of
Homeless Link:
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