Winter Newsletter
In this newsletter we’ve got news for you!
Our volunteers, Gill and Laura speak about their experience helping out at the new emergency shelter.
Please add the 11th May 2025 to your diaries for the Rotary Swimalong at Beckenham Pool.
We’ve thanks to Pedro Lounge, CareUK and the team at Foxbridge and Mark and Kuldeep for their respective running efforts!
We’ve an update on our service with the worrying trend of older persons suffering the trauma of homelessness.
“I was looking for a local charity to volunteer with and came across Bromley Homeless volunteering on a local website. The shelter provides a safe place for those people who have found themselves in need, often due to outside factors such as the cost and scarcity of the current housing market. They also have a day centre which provides a host of services for the homeless community.
There are volunteering opportunities to do evening cooking, overnight and breakfast (where cooking only extends to cups of teas and the odd bowl of porridge). The breakfast shifts appealed, as it easily fits into my schedule and my cooking skills are too poor to inflict onto the public!
I’ve found so much joy in connecting with the shelter’s guests and hearing their stories, as well as meeting some wonderful and like-minded volunteers from the local community. I hope to see each guest find their way to permanent housing before the shelter closes for the year in Spring. It feels like a very small thing, to serve people some teas, coffees and toast but you realise that the guests do truly appreciate the time that we, the volunteers have given up to make their day a little more enjoyable.
I’m grateful to be a part of this incredible charity and look forward to continuing my involvement with their kind and dedicated team for years to come”.
“I volunteered for the Homeless Shelter Breakfast Rota for a couple of winters before Covid changed everything. When I saw an appeal for volunteers at the new shelter, I signed up and have just done my first breakfast duty. It was very different from the pre-Covid regime, when we waited at the Bug Hut from 6.45am for the guests to arrive from their overnight stay at the shelter. With plenty of space for breakfast, but a tiny servery, everything was laid out on the table and guests just helped themselves. There could be 10 or 12 guests all waiting for hot drinks at the same time, so it was quite hectic when everyone arrived.
The new set-up couldn’t be more different: a sizeable kitchen, but very small area for a breakfast table and chairs. With only 5 guests sleeping in individual rooms, they emerge at different times, which gives volunteers the opportunity to engage much more with them and offer a more personalised service. I am looking forward to my next session in a couple of weeks’ time.
My church, St Mary’s Shortlands, has Lent Lunches hosted by parishioners in aid of a chosen charity, so Tim & I have decided that ours this year will be in aid of the Bromley Homeless Shelter.”
Events
Other Event News
Our quiz night is a sell out! sorry if you have missed out but we’ll look to pack the diary with more events in the future. If you feel you would like to organise an event yourself, we’d love to here from you email events@bromleyhomeless.org
Service Update
Older People and Homelessness
Our Day Service has noted a significant rise in individuals aged 65 and over seeking help, surpassing the numbers recorded over the previous years. These individuals are often rough sleeping or sofa surfing with friends and family, indicating a troubling trend in housing instability among older adults. Increased competition in the private rental sector disproportionately impacts older adults, particularly those with no recent rental history or stable income.
For example, we are supporting a 84 year old gentlemen who has been sleeping rough for 20 years. He came in because the weather had been so cold he couldn’t cope. Since he has been staying with us in the emergency shelter his health has improved significantly.
We give thanks here to the Advice Service Team and the great job that they all do, especially our volunteers.
We appeal for new good quality single bedding – e.g. fitted sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers. Also second hand warm good quality mens clothing and ‘sensible’ mens and women’s shoes. Please drop into our day service at the United Reformed Church, 21 Widmore Road, Bromley, BR1 1RY
Fundraising Heroes
Special thanks go to Neil at Pedro Lounge – Café Bar – Bromley – Lounges – Food & Drink who raised a whopping £1,080!
Mark our marathon runner is busy putting the miles in as he aims for a personal best at the London Marathon in April. He is going great guns, if you would like to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/markdraycottmarathon2025
Our thanks to Kuldeep who raise £700 with her friends and family in memory of her beloved brother completing a 5k Christmas fun run.
Thanks to Freddie and the team at the Foxbridge Care Home raised a whopping £529 which their employer CareUK has offered to double up!
Looking to make a real difference?
Become a Host with Bromley Homeless! Our Hosting Service connects individuals at risk of homelessness with compassionate hosts who have a spare room. By offering a safe and supportive environment, you can help someone rebuild their confidence and self-esteem. The rent, is typically covered by housing benefits or employment, so you won’t be out of pocket.
As a host, you’ll welcome guests from diverse backgrounds into your home, providing them with the stability they need to focus on education or employment. Bromley Homeless provides all the necessary training and support to ensure a positive experience for both you and your guest. Imagine the rewarding feeling of knowing you’ve played a part in restoring someone’s hope and giving them a fresh start.
If you have a spare room and a desire to help, please read our FAQ and get in touch. Your generosity can change lives and help end homelessness. Join us in making a positive impact today!