This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 10 December 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
CHRISTIANS across the Thames Valley region are helping provide food and shelter for increasing numbers of rough sleepers this winter.
Anna Moriarty joins in the sleepout in All Saints Marlow.
Wycombe Homeless Connection Plummeting temperatures and rising levels of homelessness have inspired churches to run the first ever ecumenical winter night shelter in Oxford. With more than 200 volunteers and over £13,000 in donations, the emergency night shelter will provide accommodation for up to 10 homeless men and women during January, February and March.
The churches involved are St Aldate's, St Alban's, St Clement's, St Columba's, St Ebbe's, St Michael at the Northgate and Wesley Memorial Church.
Oxford's homeless chaplain, the Revd Mary Gurr, was aware of an increase in the number of rough sleepers in Oxford. Meanwhile, in Newbury, a similar ecumenical project, but with homeless people offered beds at the Salvation Army building, began on 1 December and will run until the end of February. The Revd Debbie Davison, from St John's Church in Newbury, said: "We are still looking for volunteers.
It's the first time we've done it in recent years but the number of rough sleepers is definitely rising.
There is even a man with a terminal illness who is sleeping rough in Newbury and it's heartbreaking to see.
People have really rallied around him though, bringing him pillows and supplies. "In Bracknell, Holy Trinity Church is taking part in a night shelter organised by the Pilgrim Hearts charity.
Churches from seven denominations are involved, each providing once a week a warm place to spend the evening, an evening meal, a bed for the night, and breakfast.
Angela Evans from Holy Trinity is one of the team leaders who helps with the breakfast shift.
She said the shelter started in 2016. "The idea is to reach out to those on the margins, those with no home," she said.
There are usually about 10 people who sleep in the designated church, and up to 17 who drop in for dinner and breakfast.
A team of more than 25 volunteers help run the project, which is supported by donations from the church and the wider community. "In Milton Keynes, an established winter night shelter running across seven churches and providing accommodation for up to 15 rough sleepers opened its doors on 1 December.
For the first time this year, another seven locations are joining the scheme on 15 December.
This will mean provision will increase from 15 beds to 30.
Richard Wightman, a leader at the New Life Church in MK, said the charity had also got use of the town's old bus station, which will soon be used during the day to provide services and classes for the homeless and vulnerably housed.
"They have to be specific services rather than drop-ins, so there will be groups for refugees and adult life-skills classes," said Richard.
Wycombe Homeless Connection in High Wycombe celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.
All Saints Church Wycombe and All Saints Marlow held sleep-outs which saw more than 90 people braving the cold weather to raise £30,000 for the connection, which provides a winter night shelter as well as advice and services all year round to the homeless and vulnerably housed. "That money will be used to pay for our front-line staff who give incredible advice to those who access our services," says volunteer Heather Morely.
"We helped a total of 504 people in the year to April 2017 (up from 439 the year before, so a sharp rise).
That number will be higher again when we do a count in April 2018, as numbers attending our weekday drop-in Support Centre are on the up, and currently running at an average of 14 people a day. "Students, staff, canons and tutors from Christ Church slept over night in the Cathedral to raise money for the Church Urban Fund.
This is the third year running that they have braved the cold in order to support the work CUF does to support homeless people throughout the country.
The sleepout took place in late November when around 25 people took part and raised £3,200. To donate to the Oxford night shelter, donate to Barclays, 20-65-20 83541320. Cheques payable to Oxford Winter Night Shelter can be sent c/o Parish Manager, OWNS, St Michael at the Northgate, Cornmarket, OX1 3EY.