Homelessness in Bristol has received much publicity over many years.  Various official surveys have suggested that we have the largest numbers of homeless outside of London.  There is also a range of views as to what extent the situation has improved since the 1980’s.

One thing is certain that those who are roofless, sleeping rough around the city, have the most appalling conditions to contend with.

The reasons for the plight of these people are many, each has their own individual story about their route to homelessness. The following factors often have a part to play: family breakdown, unemployment, bereavement, broken relationships, mental health issues, abuse of alcohol or drugs, difficulty in adjusting after coming out of prison, or withdrawal from a society that appears to have no use for them.  Many have been, or feel, rejected by society. Some are bewildered, confused, suspicious, even angry. They all share the burdens of poverty, loneliness and the inability at times to cope with life’s basic demands.

 

The Bristol Night Shelter

The Julian Trust Night Shelter, also known as the Bristol Night Shelter, is located in premises in Little Bishop Street, on the edge of St Pauls in Bristol. The premises were converted to fulfill the specific purpose of a Night Shelter; the money being raised by public donation.

Click here to read a brief history.

In the Night Shelter the facilities for guests comprise a large dormitory with up to eighteen beds, a dining area, bathrooms with toilet and shower facilities. There is also a kitchen, stores, laundry and offices. It operates five nights every week throughout the year where a warm welcome and a hot meal awaits homeless people and rough sleepers. On most nights it is used by between 80 to 100 guests who are served dinner between 9.30pm and 10.30pm. Guests who have secured a bed are served breakfast at 6.30am and the shelter closes at 7.30am. They also launder clothes overnight and try to provide clean alternative clothes where needed (depending on donations); other services available include a regular weekly visit from St John’s Ambulance volunteers and Outreach representatives.

How can you get involved?

At Grace Church we want to support the work of the Bristol Night Shelter and help the homeless of our city.  Our initial plan is to organise a collection of much-needed items that are necessary for the shelter to continue to offer the services it currently does.

Grace Church will be collecting donations every Sunday and will seek to make a bulk donation to the shelter at the end of each month.

Please bring any donations and drop them into the boxes/bags at the back of the meeting hall.

At the moment, the shelter is in urgent need of the following items:

• Toilet Rolls
• Kitchen Rolls
• Dish Cloths
• Washing-Up Liquid
• Antibacterial, kitchen & bathroom cleaning sprays
• Bleach
• Large Sandwich bags
• Supermarket branded washing powder

You can also donate any of the following, as shelter stock levels are running low:

• Blankets
• Single fitted sheets
• Clothes suitable for men and women aged 18-35 (including: jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jumpers, coats, socks & shoes)