Homeless project in Slough launched

A homeless project which aims to tackle the rising number of rough sleepers in Slough has been launched. 

The Slough Winter Night Shelter programme is the brainchild of charities The London and Slough Run (LASR) and Slough Homeless Our Concern. (SHOC)

Together they have joined forces to provide venues and volunteers from across the town to assist the homeless population. 

The pilot scheme started on Monday following two volunteer training sessions which were attended by more than 100 people.

"It is absolutely fantastic," said chairman of LASR, John Power."It is all credit to Slough. When we embarked on this project we had no idea what the uptake would be like. 

"They actually see these people on the streets and people genuinely want to do something, they want to help and we are giving them an opportunity to help them.

"All we are doing is pushing on an open door."

The pilot scheme, which will continue until March 9, was set up after the number of homeless people in the town rocketed in recent years, with number of rough sleepers now estimated to be about 40.

It is based on a model already being used in High Wycombe, and has access to 11 venues across the town including Slough Baptist Church in Windsor Road.

"They get to sleep in a safe, warm and comfortable environment," explained John, who has been chairman of the charity for three years. 

"It helps them sort of reconnect with humanity and helps them believe in themselves."It is getting them to open up and getting to talk to them about what services are available to them."

John now hopes the scheme, which is privately funded by charities and individuals, will prove popular enough for it to return next year.

"The first night went very well and the volunteers interacted extremely well with the guests," he said."You get far more out of it than you put into this, it is fantastic."

After being referred to the scheme by SHOC, night shelter 'guests' are picked up by minibus drivers.

They are then driven to one of the venues which are part of the programme and are used on a rota basis. 

They have access to a free meal and can talk and play games with volunteers before lights out at 10.30pm.

Volunteers also stay at the venue overnight and are accompanied by a professional security guard.

Guests are then woken up the following morning at about 6am when they are transported back to SHOC's headquarters at Serena Hall in Burlington Road.The scheme is in place seven days a week.

To volunteer email admin@sloughnightshelter.org or contact John on 07837 333986 for details.