Our night shelter project is managed by the Basildon, Billericay, and Wickford Council for Voluntary Services in partnership with Churches Together in Basildon.

We are a member of Housing Justice’s Winter Night Shelter Network and adhere to the Operating Principles for Night Shelters set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Basildon faith groups freely open their churches to us enabling our shelters to run 7 nights a week at a different church each night, during the worst of the winter months. We currently offer shared dormitory style sleeping spaces for 12 people.

We aim to deliver friendly, welcoming, comfortable, and safe spaces for homeless people to sleep. The stability engendered has a positive effect on physical and mental wellbeing that is often eroded by rough sleeping, and allows our guests to be better equipped to move on into accommodation and/or secure employment.

The project is volunteer led, often we have circa 80 plus volunteers who work our evening and morning shifts. Without exception they have a heart for the homeless, they come alongside our guests to chat and listen. They create a great community spirit, which helps to restore a homeless person’s faith in a society they often feel alienated from.

Overnight, from 11:00pm to 7:00am, we have paid night workers to keep our guests safe and tend to their needs.

Light refreshments and hot drinks are provided in the evening and a light breakfast in the morning.

BENS relies on the generosity of local faith groups, businesses, and the community to make the shelters possible. Funds are needed to pay for staff, equipment and refreshments, for example:

• £6.00 will purchase a 500g tin of instant coffee

• £15.00 will purchase a pack of four pillows

• £20.00 will purchase a sleeping bag

• £35.00 will purchase a camp bed

Any help that can be given is greatly appreciated.