Volunteering at Wrexham night shelter changed my life, say supporters

Volunteers who supported a night shelter project in Wrexham last year have described how the experience changed their lives.

Mel Morgan and Sue Sawyer are urging people to sign up to support this year’s church and community shelter for people sleeping rough which gets underway after Christmas.

The project, set up by Housing Justice Cymru and supported by the Diocese of St Asaph, is being run in partnership with Wrexham Borough Council and other agencies working with those who are homeless in the town. The shelter will open in seven church buildings across the town, offering a safe space, a hot meal and a warm welcome to up to ten guests during the coldest months of the year.

Wrexham has the second highest number of people sleeping rough in Wales, and the highest per head of the population.

Mel and Sue have stepped up their commitment this year and will be co-ordinating one of the seven venues. They will be responsible for running a team to cook meals, make beds and collect the guests for the night.  Mel, who lives in Caergrwle said: “Volunteering was the best things I’ve done since I became a Christian.

I met some lovely people who were volunteers, but I also met some wonderful guests, who by the end of the project felt more like family than guests and really made me realise they they’re just normal human beings, like my family. Some of them were as young as my children and it was humbling but it really changed my outlook on life.

“It changed by life because it made me realise, I was one of those people who didn’t understand how people could become homeless. I couldn’t empathise with them.

“Through the shelter project, I really got to understand that it’s only by the grace of God that I’m not homeless and none of my family is homeless.  These were people who genuinely needed a little bit of love and support and a bit of help. Everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their lives and that’s what these guests needed.

“I’d encourage people to please go along to one of the training sessions.  It’s nothing challenging.  Sign yourself up, do a shift and you will want to do more.  It’s absolutely wonderful and I can’t wait for this year’s project to start.”

Sue from Nercyws said: “My experience was different in that I volunteered for the hard-to-fill shifts – the overnight shift when the guests were asleep. Although I didn’t meet many of the guests, I knew while I was there, the guests were safe, no-one was kicking them or stealing their stuff and they could sleep peacefully in a warm dry place.”

Volunteer training is taking place on Monday 9 December and prospective helpers are being urged to sign up to attend.  The shelter co-ordinator, Sarah Wheat, said: “The more volunteers we have the earlier the night shelter will be able to open.

“Many of the volunteers who supported the project last year have committed to participate again this year, but we still need more people, especially if we’re to open after Christmas.

“We are particularly in need of people to drive the shelter mini-bus, to cover night shifts and to make breakfast for our guests.  If you can help in any way, please contact me.”

To volunteer or to make a financial contribution to the project, please email Sarah Wheat: wrexham@housingjustice.org.uk

To find out about volunteering visit  https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/faith-in-action/tackling-homelessness/