Winter Night Shelter has just launched their Christmas Appeal 2021 at a time when they are seeing a need for their services continue to grow. Can you help them with a donation please. See below a reflection on the challenges the Winter Night Shelter (WNS) MK has had to face in 2021 and how you can make a donation.
Due to the urgent and unmet need, Winter Night Shelter (WNS) now provide year-round welfare – opening over summer for the first time in our history. They have provided community clubs, advice and mental health support services from their centre, Unity Park Station, whilst working in partnership with over 800 volunteers, 15 churches and 25 charitable organisations across the city.
They are currently seeing and supporting almost 200 people each week, and aim to help any homeless, vulnerable person or family in need, and never turn them away.
Some of their most concerning cases have recently included a number of women who have been fleeing domestic violence, and a pregnant woman who has severe mental health struggles and was concerned for the life of her baby.
WNS have been providing accommodation, as well as regular meals, counselling, and regular life-giving welfare support to help her out of this crisis and enhance her chances of escaping the vicious circle of homelessness for good.
People arrive at the Winter Night Shelter for many reasons. They can be old or young, men and women. Some are long-term homeless, others have just reached a point of crisis and don’t know where to turn.
They may have deteriorating domestic violence issues; or have lost jobs and can no longer pay for accommodation. Illness, disability, addiction, lost identity documents, and now increasingly, mental health struggles, can all play a part in someone ending up on the street. WNS are helping a growing number of rough sleepers, sofa surfers, people in emergency accommodation with no cooking facilities, and others who are vulnerably housed or socially isolated.
WNS Welfare and Support Team help guests recover lost ID, access benefits, secure drug and alcohol support services, obtain housing advice, move on to longer-term accommodation and to find training and work. This is crucial face-to-face help at a time when many other support services are still online.
Our Christmas Appeal
Can you help us expand and meet the need for the coming winter months and beyond by making a donation this Christmas?
In fact just a small amount makes a big difference:
£25 pays for one emergency mental health counselling session
£50 covers the cost of providing washing machine and dryers for a month so our homeless and vulnerable guests can clean their clothes and personal items whilst taking a shower
£100 pays for two days food, refreshments and social aspects for over 60 people at our twice weekly community club
£250 pays for the salary of a part time, respected and highly qualified welfare worker for one week.
To make a donation click here
Thank you for your support and help.