Mayor's Charity Update
January 2010

Kingston borough churches opened their doors at night from Tuesday 1 December until Sunday 28 February 2010, on a daily rota basis, to give temporary night-time shelter to some homeless people.  The scheme follows on from the initiative trialed by Kingston Churches Action on Homeless (KCAH) in February 2009 when, adverse weather conditions made the shelters necessary.  Those homeless people able to gain access are allowed to sleep overnight in the churches taking  part as well as being given an evening meal and breakfast. 

The shelter is currently running at full capacity with 15 guests being accommodated each night.  Due to the current extreme weather conditions it is regretful that there are some individuals who will not gain access due to lack of space. Matt Hatton of KCAH has confirmed that he knows of at least two further individuals who are currently sofa-surfing to keep out of the cold and there are some individuals who they have not been able to locate and, are of course concerned as to their whereabouts. He confirmed that overall the shelter is running well and that it is hoped that more move-on options will become available for those using the shelter thereby, freeing up space for others to take advantage of the scheme.

All referrals to the shelter are made via KCAH from their drop-in service which takes place between 10:00am and 1pm Monday to Friday at their offices at 36a Fife Road (020 8255 7400).

Further information and updates on The Mayor’s Charity can be found at www.kingston.gov.uk/information/your_council/mayor/mayors_charity.htm

Alternatively, contact the charity at: Mayor's Office, Guildhall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1EU mayorsc@rbk.kingston.gov.uk or mayors.office@rbk.kingston.gov

Related item: Mayor's Charity receives official charity status