This year Catching Lives have re-opened their winter shelter.
Catching Lives is run by a board of trustees that oversees the staff, but they could not work without their volunteers.
Graeme Solly, the manager of Catching Lives has said:
We want to ensure we continue to provide a 7 day a week service with the facilities we provide to rough sleepers, and others, to those who need us the most as there isn’t anywhere else in Kent that does this that I’m aware of.”
They have re-opened their winter shelter, thanks to many people donating generously to their Winter Fundraising Appeal as well as a grant from the city council.
Due to Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, housing costs and lack of affordable accommodation, there has been a rise in number of clients which is why the winter shelter is more important than ever this year.
Catching Lives will be working with their partners to help move as many people as possible from the streets and shelters to accommodation.
In addition to this, a building in the Cathedral’s Precincts has been opened for over-night refuge providing 15 beds a night from mid-December through to mid-march.
This does not provide for the increasing number of at least 33 people who are believed to be sleeping rough for most nights.
Do your bit for the community and donate to their winter fundraising drive.
To continue to provide for these people, they want to make improvements to the infrastructure of the centre so that it is better suited for its purpose.
The donations of many have helped and will help to make this possible.
The manager, Graeme Solly, also said:
We have already made huge steps in this direction with new showers and toilets last year.
We want to continue to provide support to those who need us.”
If you want to help in some way, go to their website and see the ways that you can help raise awareness, donate for their cause, and get involved in their events and volunteer work.
