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WINCHESTER CHURCHES NIGHTSHELTER
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Latest News - December 2008

The WCNS Christmas Letter

You can download a printable version of this letter here.

Michele Price Dear Supporter

Since Christmas seems to be nearly upon us I thought I would give you a quick update on the work and activities of the Winchester Churches Nightshelter.

If I can introduce myself I took over in September as Manager of the Nightshelter (from Jonathan Walker) having been working as the WCNS administrator for the past four, nearly five years. We have been busy updating our new website www.wcns.org.uk from which you can see the latest pictures and reports from recent activities.

I particularly wanted to let you know about the next event we are holding at the Nightshelter, and I would be very grateful if you could promote this item in your January issue parish magazines and in your church notices and on any noticeboards you have access to:

Please come along to Winchester Churches Nightshelter on Homelessness Sunday, 1st February 2009, between 10am-1.15pm. The Nightshelter (behind the Discovery Centre, Jewry Street) is opening its doors again to welcome all our current volunteers and supporters and any potential volunteers or anyone interested in seeing around the Nightshelter and finding out a little more about our work. Please drop in for a chat and a cup of coffee. We will also be announcing details of our exciting new fundraising and awareness raising event to be held in the Cathedral Close on May 15th – The Big Sleep Out, Winchester! Look forward to seeing you on Homelessness Sunday – do bring your family and friends.

Many thanks for any help you can provide in promoting the details in the above.

Our special thanks to all the many individuals, churches and schools who supported us at Harvest time and allowed us the chance to fill our store cupboards and replenish our stocks which had run very low, we are most grateful to you.

The Nightshelter remains full nearly every night and sadly we have had to turn away over 140 people in the last 3 months as we had no space. There is a great, and seemingly growing, need out there. Some guests stay for a short stay of up to 14 nights, during which time we hope to provide them with as much help and connections to resources available to them in Hampshire as we can. Most of our guests stay a little longer and we aim to try to really help them break the homelessness cycle for good, and help them into long-term accommodation elsewhere. We aim to help all our guests to move on to accommodation which suits their individual needs within 3 months if we can – and in most cases we are achieving this well within 3 months (except where a person’s needs are particularly complicated).

Plea for Volunteers – as usual we can never have too many! We would be particularly thrilled if any of our kind supporters feel able to do an overnight shift over the Christmas week.

I also attach a list of our Christmas needs which would make Christmas at Winchester Churches Nightshelter just that bit more special (we have included some of the basic necessities that we always seem to run out of). We are constantly having to update computer systems, renovate the building and spend money to maintain our standards, so if at this Christmas time you feel you can spare some extra to assist us in our cause to offer hope and help to the homeless we would be most grateful.

Thank you so much for all your help and support in 2008 – you have made all the difference to our ability to run the service we do at Winchester Churches Nightshelter and the guests’ feedback confirms that you have helped make a real and positive difference to their lives.

With best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and New Year, and with thanks,

Michele

Michele Price
WCNS Manager
Michele@wcns.org.uk
www.wcns.org.uk

Items Most Needed at Christmas time

Warm Hats & Gloves	Fresh Fruit
Old Blankets	Chops
Christmas Decorations	Tinned Custard
Christmas Cakes	Long Life Cream
Chicken wings/legs	Fruit Juice/Coke/ soft drinks
Butter/Sunflower Spread	Fresh Fruit
Seasonal Crisps/Nibbles/Savory Snacks	Mince Pies
Small joints of meat (large ones take too long to cook) preferably boned as it is easier for us to serve up in the evening	Christmas presents for our guests, perhaps after shave, nice razors, or perhaps mobile phone vouchers, nice pens.
New Christmas Cards – blank for use for us to send or hand out	Wrapping paper for presents

Office Hours Monday to Friday 8.30am – 2.00pm
The Nightshelter opens every evening from 5.30pm (for deliveries)

Latest News - September 2008

All Change at the Nightshelter!

Farewell As Jonathan and Alistair say their good-byes - pictures of the fabulous reception at St Peter's Milner Hall will be online shortly - we welcome Michele Price, former Project Administrator, to her new role as Project Manager!

Sadly, Alistair leaves a large hole that still needs filling. Could you volunteer?

Saying Good-Bye to Team J&A

Food was provided aplenty - with grateful thanks to Prue!	Particularly the cake was almost too good to eat!
Many people came to say farewell.	Conversation

Finally, Jonathan arrived - a little bit of a surprise was achieved, we hope!
Alastair and Jo speaking with the Mayor of Winchester
Sarah summed up the work of the WCNS	Michelle, the new manager, saying good-bye to Team J&A
Presents for both Alastair and Jonathan
	And finally, the cake could be cut!

Letter from Alastair Stewart - September 2008

Dear Friends

My heart is quite full, and my head is still swirling from all the excitement of last night! What an excellent and amazing evening, thanks to the kindness of so many, and the very hard work of a few special people.

Such expressions of kindness and appreciation are most touching. In the excitement and awe of the moment, much that deserved to be expressed was left unspoken, so I trust this letter will amend, putting my heart felt feelings on record.

First and foremost a “thousand thanks” to each and everyone involved – it must have taken a great amount of time, thought and energy to bring together, to say nothing of the secrecy, such a splendid event.

Now to highlight, as briefly as possible, several things omitted – reflection is a wonderful asset.

In many ways it was a historical moment in the ongoing work of Winchester Churches Nightshelter, for we had represented much that is of the past, for which we give thanks.
It came to mind, while lying in bed – recalling the evening that it would have been nice to call to the front Tim Stevens, Stella Freeman, Carol Taylor and my dear friend Michele. No one person being better than the others, but representing the past, present and future. Tim, as a former director to recall the excellent vision and work the directors do. Stella, our loyal and longstanding supporter who has faithfully cleaned the WCNS etc for many, many years and is most worthy of note. Carol, our longest serving employee, to highlight the important role of our qualified and capable staff at the “coal face”, as it were of the work. Michele, now commissioned to carry the baton of “Manager” into the next phase and all the changes and challenges it will bring – to me, she is a “star” (a bright one of hope).
As I said in my resignation letter, “…. We are privileged to have in place now an excellent team of directors, management, staff and volunteers, who will work with dedication together, as a team to meet the constant demanding care of all who come to our door for help. It is people we serve and the personal touch is so vital”.
Not enough emphasise was expressed as to the bonds of friendship developed over many, many years, which produced “the J & A” duo, enabling us to work so closely (not always in full harmony or agreement, but that is the strength of our bond, life and labours together). Thanks Jonathan.
More thanks and acknowledgement of the great support all have given me, to say nothing of the patience needed with me and my “little ways”!! Thank you, one and all, for all you accord to me – it would not have been possible without you and your support. We are all part of a large, flexible and varied team, and this principle must never be lost – it is our life line and that to others whom we serve.
It was both good and important to acknowledge the privilege of such high representation from the City Council and other authorities and agencies. Thank you, Mr Mayor and others in this field, especially my friends from The Westgate – I will miss you and the joy of making you a “cuppa”.

Again, let me record, in writing, gratitude for the privilege of being able to serve all at WCNS. I do look upon last nights company as my “friends” and only did what I did in the same spirit as each of you, seeking no reward, save of a job well done and the good company of fellow labourers – you gave more – “thanks”.

As I said last night, with true feeling, the WCNS was dedicated to the glory of God (11 years ago this month!) and so it is “…. Not unto me, or us be the glory, but unto your Name be the glory …” Psalm 115

Thanks for wading through this – you know me! Enough said.

With renewed thanks and prayers for your blessing and that of WCNS.

Your sincere friend,

Alistair Stewart