Church search to complete shelter project (From Croydon Guardian)

Church search to complete shelter project

12:33pm Wednesday 15th October 2003 in News By Daniel Menhinnitt

The completion of a shelter project for Croydon's homeless is hinging on just one more church to join the scheme.

Croydon Churches' Floating Shelter (CCFS) is hoping to provide an instant access shelter for the homeless every day of the week between January and March next year.

The project has six churches offering their hall for one day a week, but one more is needed to host the seventh day.

The CCFS scheme is modelled on a similar project in Islington which has successfully provided shelter for the homeless since it was launched eight years ago.

Joe Crilly, co-ordinator for CCFS, said: "There is already good provision in Croydon for the vulnerable and the homeless but a rethink of funding allocation means the emergency cold weather shelter, which the YMCA ran for a number of years in central Croydon, is no longer operating.

"A group of churches in Croydon have come together to provide emergency accommodation for people who might otherwise be sleeping rough during the coldest months.

"Each church will take responsibility for one night each per week so the shelter will more or 'float' from place to place. We have six churches out of the seven we need who are already committed to the project.

"Various approaches have been made to every church in the borough but for whatever reason we are still one short."

Jad Adams, chairman of Nightwatch a Croydon homeless charity set up in 1976, said: "One of the real problems in Croydon is the lack of an immediate walk in shelter where people can get help immediately. One of the worst things we have to do when working in Croydon is handing out food and clothing to the homeless knowing they will have sleep in the cold and in danger."

The project is run completely by volunteers, and the church need only have a hall with a kitchen and toilet.

Mr Crilly, said: "It's a ideal way for church members to become directly involved in solving one of our most urgent social problems. The rough sleepers benefit from having hands-on experience with the most vulnerable people in society. It makes a lot of sense."

The six churches taking part in the scheme are Selsdon Baptist Church, Croham Road Baptist Church, Emmanuel Church in South Croydon, Emmanuel Inspirational in West Croydon, West Croydon Baptist Church, Purley Baptist Church.

For more information or to volunteer call Joe Crilly on 07940 152 216 or email croydoncfs@hotmail.com.