London churches offers hospitality to street homeless

More than 200 people who were sleeping on the streets of London now have warm safe beds throughout the winter months - thanks to a voluntary project organised by Christians across the capital. Churches of all denominations in ten boroughs are working together to provide a hot meal, and basic accommodation for between eight and 35 people one night a week each, in halls and parish rooms. Clients are referred by local authorities who are working to find them long term accommodation within a month of joining the scheme. The project, which continues to the end of March, is being co-ordinated by Church Action on Poverty. Many of the churches involved already run year-round projects providing food and clothing the homeless people. They have all taken on many extra volunteers to work in the new cold weather shelters. A basic training course for volunteers working for the first time in one of the winter shelters takes place at Vaughn House, 46 Francis Street, (behind Westminster Cathedral) on Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm. This week, on 18 January, the topic will be 'Drugs and Alcohol'. Next week, 25 25 January, the workshop will deal with: 'Managing Conflict' . On 1 February the subject will be: 'Homelessness Overview'. If you would like to volunteer or for more information check with your parish or visit: www.unleash.org.uk/