Full house for the Winter Beds

The winter beds scheme was at its busiest this year with 229 overnight stays.

Steering team member, Mike Bunce and fellow volunteers write this report:

Winter Beds 2024

This is the third Winter Beds project to be run by churches in Southampton working in partnership with Southampton City Council. This year it ran for 4 weeks in February using 2 Southampton churches for 2 weeks each. 229 bed spaces were provided during the 4 weeks, compared to 131 in the first year. This was supported with over 70 volunteers covering arrival, overnight and breakfast shifts. Below are some personal thoughts from those in our churches volunteering this year.

Mike Bunce

I decided to help with this as for me social action is an important part of being a Christian. It’s easy to SAY that but most of my social action is concerned with those in other countries and therefore tends to involve more talk and campaigning than action. I have to admit though that I went for the easiest shift – the breakfast one. This involved leaving the house at 5.30am to drive to Lighthouse Church (the first few times) and then later on to The Boathouse. There were 4 of us and we woke them up at 6.30am, served up a simple breakfast of cereal and croissants, and on the days the church was in use during the day we encouraged the men (they were all men) to pack away their bedding and to leave around 7pm. I was surprised that most of them didn’t want much to eat but only a hot drink.
There was some opportunity to talk to the men although not a lot on this shift (and how chatty are you at 6,30am in the morning anyway)? They all seemed incredibly appreciative and helped where they could. One man hoovered up every morning. There were quite a few different nationalities represented – I spoke to an asylum seeker who had been hoping to join his father. Another man was a bit concerned that we might not be going to recycle some plastic bottles that had been left. I was able to assure him that we would. The thing I found hardest about doing was driving to the previously unknown venues!

Claire

I helped out at dinner shift, 7 to 9.30, having taken part before I sort of knew the ropes. What inspired me was the guests' appreciation of what we were doing.

They also wanted to help and we're happy to share their situation with me, they were not bitter or angry at where they found themselves. 

One guy explained how his landlord had to let him go, but he understood why, he also shared a picture of where he had been sleeping, in a car park, and was grateful that he was in the dry. As always, I felt very humbled and blessed by being one of, I believe, over 70 volunteer's that took part this year.

Lynette

My reason for assisting with the Winter Bed Scheme was that I felt a sense of guilt whenever I saw a homeless person on the street. At least I could do some small thing to assist them. Speaking with Peter and learning of his positive attitude. He was very appreciative of the help he received from the library allowing him to use computers to apply and conduct online interviews. He mentioned he had worked in I.T. and had 4 upcoming interviews including one with the police and
he was hopeful he only needed 1 job to get him back on his feet. Another elderly gentleman, Terrence, had worked for Ordnance Survey in Southampton and he felt it was good value to be able to ride on the buses for only £2 to Salisbury or Lymington. The journey occupied most of the day for him. Another chap in his forties from Carlisle said he came down here for a fresh start. A few mentioned that Sundays were the worst day of the week as there is little to do. I felt for them, asking them to leave at 7am not knowing how they would spend their day. 
Most of the guests didn't bother with breakfast, just a few had a drink and then they left at 7am each morning.
Personally, my impressions of these homeless people is that they are not the people I would have associated with being homeless. They were all very polite and very appreciative of the help we were giving them. If this has happened to them, it could happen to anyone and how would I survive in these circumstances? I don't think I could! I count my blessings.
God Bless them All and my hope is they can soon find somewhere safe to live.

Jeff

During February 2024 I did a night shift each week at the winter shelter.

People ask me what I do, expecting some exciting answer, but the reality is far less spectacular, in a good way. I simply am on hand in case I'm needed; basically we enable the winter shelter to be open overnight but v little is actually required of us , maybe some hot water for a drink, v occasionally a chat, the doors are locked,

On arrival each week there was a brief window for chat with the guests before the lights go out.

The guests had all been vetted and I didn't experience any issues with those sleeping there. One chap didn't sleep at night but he didn't need anything and he decided not to stay after a week or so.

I can't convey enough how far from onerous this was. We even got a chance for a few hours sleep/rest as there were enough volunteers to cover this.

I had a few good conversations and as the weeks go by you get to know some of the guests a little. Special thanks to the guest Peter for lending me a phone charger last night.

As simple as the requirements of doing the night shift were for the volunteers, it became glaringly obvious to me how significant the benefits are; up to 10 people get a bed in a warm safe building each night during the coldest wettest months of winter and access to clean toilets and food. I'd call that Dignity.

The humanity and story of these people becomes real by spending a little time with them.

Each of us has a story and before God we all stand as equals. 

It was a very small thing to do but a privilege. 

Andy